The Bunt: Hertfordshire's Finest Lost Railway

[@martinwhite2369]

The Beeching review of the railways was ordered by the then Transport Secretary Earnest Marples. What motivated Marples to decimate the railways? He owned a road building company. It was corruption, pure and simple.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes, it was all a bit fishy...

[@OlafProt]

It would serve nothing of course, but it would be fascinating to have Marples' affairs fully investigated....

[@geoffbrookes4594]

Once again a delightful film so relaxing to watch , relax and reflect. Still sad to see something so special discarded. Thanks 🚂🚴‍♂️👣🇺🇦

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure 🙏

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A delightful video which skillfully weaves archive and contemporary footage into a sensitive and informative narrative. Quite wonderful!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - do share far and wide if you can!

[@LancashireLarks]

Couldn’t of out it better myself 🙌

[@normandunford5747]

One of the problems is the various electrol parties had zero common sense, it's still exactly the same now. If it's in difficulties scrap it. This country could have had a brilliant rail service if it was done properly

[@jeremywilliams2478]

These are amazing. The seemless transition between old footage and recent photos must take a lot of work. It must take many hours to put these videos together and they keep getting better. Far better than anything on the BBC. Well done.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It does take a long time, but it really is a labour of love - thank you for your kind remarks!

[@carlharris2808]

When you walk down the old railways footpaths now i always think and try to imagine what it must have like when trains were running sadly without videos like yours it would be lost to history and forgotten about so we owe people like you a great debt to show us all now and then thank you.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I do just the same think - thank you for your kind words about my film!

[@LancashireLarks]

Couldn’t of out it better myself 🙌

[@jontaylor6094]

Excellent! Shared with my father-in-law (retired train driver) who lived in Hadham Station with family from closure to passenger services until the building became unfit for habitation.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Wow, that's a close connection to have to this remarkable railway!

[@richardspencer9452]

Thanks for making this video which I very much enjoyed watching. My younger brother and I travelled over the branch 3 weeks before it shut and I still have our tickets - well actually 2 halves as we were both under 14 but they fit together to make one full adult one! We were able to ride behind the driver on the DMU so had a panoramic view both ways, so the film clips filmed from a similar position brought the whole experience back. This was a wonderful branch line but as the film explains it was not surprising that it did not survive the Beeching cuts, which is unfortunate seeing how Buntingford has grown.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for your wonderful evocative memories and for you kind words about my film, which I'm so glad you enjoyed.

[@07028]

This lost branch provided a particular challenge because there is so little left (except that one station.) I thought you did an excellent job using your drone and archival footage to give this line some life.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share far and wide if you can!

[@OlafProt]

Fabulous that so many people had the prescience to film these old lines. Its always remarkable how much evidence remains of lines closed over 60 years ago. 14:40 is so good to see. This is some piece of work - many thanks. I like that the overall tone is positive, rather a lot of these that are presented like funerals, with sad music and miserable commentary

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Really glad you enjoyed the film!

[@RichardFelstead1949]

I like the way you've blended the old with the new .We must thank the person who had the foresight the film the branch when it was still operating. Regards from Australi.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes, absolutely! Thank you for your kind words about my film 🙂

[@B0BB0Y45]

What a beautiful and nostalgic video, as a retired railway man I just love watching this type of video. Please keep up the good work.

[@tracya4087]

hear hear

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

You have my word that I will! Many thanks indeed - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@charliescottdouglas9378]

Your films get better and better. Thank you - that was fascinating!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Really very kind of you to say so - thank you - do share far and wide if you can!

[@JHClassics]

Fantastic as always, I feel these heart warming videos should be shared with people in Government who need reminding of the benefits to the community they can provide. 👍🏻

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@None-zc5vg]

'Governments' of any political colour would never consider issues like "community benefits".

[@JHClassics]

@@None-zc5vg it was an ideal, rather than a genuine expectation.

[@paulhaynes8045]

Lovely film. And a lovely line too. This would have been a perfect restoration project - if only it had lasted a few more years. If only the default position was to safeguard the trackbed/running powers and infrastructure such as bridges - just in case. I've just been reading about the amazing recreation of the Welsh Highland, and that was only possible because the original route was safeguarded. Once again, we see the folly of acting in haste. The 60s was a wonderful time to grow up, but now we look back and see the mistakes that were made in the worship of all that was 'modern'.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It would've made for a delightful heritage line if nothing else! Thanks very much for your thoughts.

[@None-zc5vg]

The 'total destruction' policy was no 'mistake', it was quite deliberately intended to close the lines for good.

[@Uftonwood2]

Sadly they wanted us on the roads burning the oil, and once closed they made sure the train could never return.

[@CaptainScruff83]

Another outstanding film, and very well researched, great use of archive and drone footage as well. You're a real credit to the railway world keep up the great work. 👍

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@michaelpilling9659]

Greetings from Poland. This is video number 13 - as far as I'm concerned, your very best. What a wonderful journey. Told so well using your camera and drone skills and vintage films. The film history of the line was superb. 3 films, all telling different stories using this magnificent backdrop. On a personal note, my ex brother in law and his wife ran the village store in Much Hadam for many years. The business closed like the railway staion, due to the bus taking much traffic to nearby towns where the supermarket began to appear. Many congratulations. An excellent video. Thank you os much for making it. Stay safe and I'll see you again soon I hope

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

So glad you enjoyed this entry - thank you for your kind remarks, and for sharing your connection with the area!

[@007JHS]

The merging of a few scenes from the David Niven and Donald Sinden movies with shots from today were very cleverly done.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I can't take credit for that, but I am very grateful that I was permitted to use the footage 🙂

[@paulashley2707]

Another masterpiece. The more I view your superb accounts of the railways of yesteryear, the more it is starting to dawn on me how much research and time is invested in each one. Thank you so very much for sharing!

[@snubby4624]

Mardock in the winter looks so amazing, a whole platform hidden! Great upload as always thank you.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure! Many thanks indeed - do share far and wide if you can!

[@VickersDoorter]

A fabulous journey back in time; very well researched, edited and narrated. The old and new footage comparisons are bitter-sweet in a way, because it highlights the effects of systemic urbanisation and irregular development countrywide over the last six decades.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm very proud of this film I must confess!

[@ianr]

Superb video as usual! Always a pleasure to watch. The archive material is remarkable, we owe a debt of gratitude to whoever the cameraman was. 👏👍

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Agreed! Many thanks - do share far and wide if you can!

[@michaela.chmieloski3196]

I love this branchline's nickname, "The Bunt". In my corner of the world there was once the New York Central Railroad's Putnam Division, affectionately call "The Put" (pronounced, "putt") by its daily riders and railfans. Passenger service on the line ended in 1958. In the same spirit of a number of comments seen here, boy, could we use that route today to alleviate some of the automobile traffic on the area's major roadways. Well done, RLR. Particularly nice was the then-to-now phasing of views at the various station locations. 'Til next you post, stay well.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks for you comment, kind words and thought - thanks also for continuing to support my channel!

[@robertperring4194]

Like it? I loved it. A labour of love. As usual, thank you.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - do share far and wide if you can!

[@martinfriend6464]

Excellent video, thanks ! I was walking the line between Braughing and Standon on Sunday. It never ceases to amaze me how many railway concrete posts can be seen lining the route, they will last forever ! With a renewed appetite for reopening branch lines, this would be a realistic candidate if it wasn’t for the fact that a fair amount of the route has been put under development. Buntingford has seen huge growth in recent years as it is one of the first towns outside of the London Green Belt. A service back to St Margaret’s and Liverpool Street would certainly be used by many if it was there today.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes agreed! Many thanks for you kind remarks - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@petedemaio168]

Another wonderful film. Excellent research and editing using those feature length films. Absolute joy to watch. With the usual sadness of closure.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@RichardWells1]

A really fascinating documentary, brilliantly combining archive film with video of the route today, complemented by such an evocative soundtrack and your excellent narrative. It's difficult to see how this charming line could have survived economically today, serving such rural outposts, and Buntingford with just shy of 6,000 people. But I wonder whether its fate would have been different had the Victorian railway planners pressed on to Cambridge... Thank you for a thoroughly engaging piece.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@HorwichWren]

I will never get tired of this series

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share far and wide if you can!

[@johnwillatt7162]

Enjoyed the way you linked today with yesterday but glad, as you mentioned, that the death of this line slowed urban sprawl over this beautiful countryside.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

And in that respect I must say I'm glad 🙂

[@bigcahoonaburger8550]

Fantastic commentary and camera work. I wish someone would do the line near me, nicknamed “the flying fish” from Grimsby to where it joins up to a functioning line. Goes through the town of Louth a small part is still preserved. Looking forward to more.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I can certainly look into it - glad you enjoyed the film!

[@peterheath9002]

A great film of a railway I rode just a few weeks before closure on my 19th birthday in Sept 1964

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

How I envy your experience. This might be my favourite branch line. In terms of film making I think this might represent my best effort, but I'll let you judge!

[@peterheath9002]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways If you look on their facebook page you will see a couple of my dubious photos taken on that trip my name is in the bottom right of the photos.

[@peterheath9002]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways It was an unbelievable closure of a line so close to London! I hoped they would change their mind at the last moment! Your film is definitely one of your best productions

[@simonjames3845]

My wife's Great Grand Parents were the gate keepers at West Mill for many years after her Great Grandfather had an accident at Stratford Works, the photo you show of the crossing keepers cottage (20.27) is one of several we have the originals of. Interesting footage as well at 19:25, the train hauled by an ex GER 0-6-0T, the first coach is ex GER too whilst the second appears to be an ex Great Central 'Barnum' coach, some of which were transferred to the GE section during LNER days. There also used to be a Signal Box preserved as a Summer House in the garden of a house somewhere along the B180 between Widford and St Margarets. The closure of the Branch was unsurprising despite the growth of Buntingford itself the commuters driving to Stevenage or Bishop's Stortford for a speedier and more frequent service, similarly from Hadham to Harlow, something I'm sure they would still do today even if the line had been electrified as doubtless London Overground would only provide an all stations service via the Southbury Loop. As a little follow up, Richard Beeching did not close a single railway, BR itself had what it called the 'Branch line committee', on the Eastern Region they had been quietly closing Branch Lines for many years before the Report was written, indeed Richard Beeching stopped all closures until the report had been published. Closures were carried out by Government Ministers, mostly when Harold Wilson was Prime Minister, my own local railways (Wymondham - Dereham - Kings Lynn / Kings Lynn - Wisbech - March) were marked to remain open in the Report, the lines were closed by Barbara Castle.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for your comment and thoughts about this line 🙂

[@Mykbyker]

You were quite right, I did enjoy this, very much indeed! Roads can never replace railways, they have no soul and few would mourn a closed road. Many thanks, Mike

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

So glad you enjoyed this - thanks for your ongoing support of my channel!

[@FutureRailProductions]

Another great episode as always. Still hoping we get that one on the Corris Railway. I would love to see what it looks like now compared to then.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Must get to Wales! Thank you for your kind words about my film 🙂

[@mr.d1775]

Thank you for another fascinating video. With the increasing population of towns and villages on this route, the obvious answer for us today with the benefit of hindsight would be that the line shouldn't have closed. Apparently Dr. Beeching and his associates didn't take population growth into account when recommending these closures. As always we must be thankful for all the railway enthusiasts of yesteryear who unwittingly provided us with a rich archive of photographic material that gives us an insight of life in those days.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I second that! Many thanks for you thoughts, comment and kind words!

[@simonf8902]

Well documented story of a lovely little railway. A line that was also movie star !

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@victoriacyunczyk]

Very nice to see more exploration. I'd like to get out and explore my area's lost railways, but alas we have two feet of snow.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Hopefully you'll have the chance when it thaws!

[@tompetty1880]

Regretfully, there is no escaping reality. Were this delightful branch line returning a profit it wouldn’t have closed. And to those of us whom would have made the case for retaining this line on purely social grounds alone are probably the very same people who would have objected to our taxation increasing in order to pay for it. Ironically, it would today have in all probability proven to be a very profitable heritage line but as they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing. Your videos are very moving and I always look forward to them in great anticipation. Thank you for posting.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for you thoughts and very kind words about my film!

[@speedowarrior1239]

Gorgeous overlook on an otherwise overlooked line. Such an inspiration as always!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Undoubtedly one of my favourite lost lines 👌

[@EssKayTee1]

What a fantastic film. My Great Grandfather, Henry Weavers, was an engine driver on this line and lived not far from Buntingford station as documented on the 1911 census. It would be fantastic to discover a photo of him.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

So glad you enjoyed the film. I'd urge you to make contact with the gentleman running The Bunt website. Loads of photos and a super helping fellow. Do let me know if you have any luck!

[@EssKayTee1]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways Thanks, yes I've made contact awaiting a reply. In the meantime I found a photo of my great grandfather on page 39 of Peter Paye's book, 'The Buntingford Branch'

[@whyyoulidl]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! What a wonderful presentation of one of my favourite railway relics. Your delivery and brilliant edits of archive footage really brought the Bunt back to life. Jago and Geoff are good, but with this film, you're in a different league altogether! Definitely will be watching this again 🤗

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

You're very kind to pay me such a compliment. I hope the film rewards with a second viewing!

[@tango6nf477]

Thank you, once again the beauty of the countryside your excellent photography and the sometimes mournful music conspire to stir the emotions and sadness at such a loss, which equally sadly is not by any means unusual. What a lovely experience it must have been to travel this branch and what a fabulous foot/cycle way it would make,

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for your kind remarks about my film - it was a joy to explore this branch - one of the most beautiful I have encountered.

[@tracya4087]

it was simply perfect

[@007JHS]

Some lovely photographs and stunning footage of a bygone age.. Thge scenery was beautiful then and still is today. The trains and locomotives of course... wonderful.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Really glad you enjoyed the film 🙂

[@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882]

One thing I love the most about living on the canals and working on the railway, is often the breathtaking sights and views never visited in living in a house or working in an office or other static business!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I can well believe it!

[@Millenko]

another enjoyable tour through history, your films are of a of quality that really qualify them for amazon prime, netfilx or normal tv. but as an avid you tube viewer my appreciation and thanks for all you do :-}

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to pay me that compliment - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@1258-Eckhart]

Well researched and illustrated as ever! Particularly fine were the then and now overlays of the films made on the line. Railway buffs back in the day will have been swift to point out that it can't have been in Ireland because of the standard gauge.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@ukusapatriot327]

Seeing this video brought back a few memories as my wife (girlfriend then) & I walked this line where we could during the summer of 1985, some 20 yrs after closure. I remember as a child seeing from my parents car Widford station with track still in place, although with grass between the rails, as my father drove across the road bridge on route to Bishops Stortford sometime in 1964/65?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Great memories, thanks for sharing 👍

[@MrDavil43]

As my grand parents lived in Buntingford in the 1940's the line was a bit special to all of us. My parents travelled between Bunt and London during their courting days. I travelled on it as a railway enthusiast teenager in the 60's and was on the last train of all. I then joined the London Railway Preservation Society which had the intention of saving part of the line, but the cost of maintaining the rather neglected bridges rendered the scheme too costly from what I recall. So sad to see the few remnants under all the trees. I can recreate a typical train on my model layout with an N7 and some Gresley suburban carriages, but apart from my memories it is all gone. Your film is a wonderful reminder of a great branch line, thank you.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Wonderful memories, thanks for sharing!

[@simonwood6932]

The old photos and videos clearly show how labour intensive the operation of railway lines such as this branch were relative to the small amount of passenger and freight carried. It’s a pity that there wasn’t capital funding available to allow modernisation of signalling to reduce the number of persons needed to operate the line- British companies such as Westinghouse Brake & Signal were busy selling centralised traffic control signalling systems for single line railways to many countries including my own, New Zealand, throughout the 1950s and 60s yet there seems to have been little uptake in the UK

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks for your comment and thoughts - yes, I wonder if such a strategy would've reversed the railway's fortunes?

[@None-zc5vg]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways The railways were going to be run down to a 'bare minimum' network regardless of whether or not they could have been made more-efficient.

[@saltspringrailway3683]

Very professional presentation. Not many branch lines have the luxury of appearing in several films which provide an excellent reminder of how things were.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Yes, it is quite unique in that regard. Many thanks for your kind remarks - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@orkneyancestor2059]

An aged thank you. When we were young most things were imagined to last forever.

[@BlaiddLlwyd]

Great work as always. The care and dedication you put into these videos is always obvious. Aside from the visuals, your narration is always well written and well delivered.

[@tomcarr1358]

Excellent commentary with succinct script . Seems extraordinary that a line in the home counties should have seemed superfluous in the 60's. The makings of a copy of the Oakhampton restoration. Now we have the new menace for the infrastructure re-use -- the self sown trees which will be the darling of the Greens as it is also the main obstruction when restoring canals for leisure use.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@tobyrosoman7438]

Yet another excellent feature, filled with great footage both of your own and others. Already looking forward to your next one

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it - you're very kind - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@robangelo8460]

absolutely delightful..........my wife and I often walk parts of this old line.......and this film fills in a lot 'gaps' that have fascinated me.........superb ;)

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it and that it helped! It is a beautiful branch line to explore.

[@philhomes233]

A fine film again, thank you. I walked the line in the late 70s, I particularly remember the skeleton of Hadham signal box.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@richardbrooks50]

Fantastic video and very personal to my family as my late father worked on the line from 1959 to 1963

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Gosh, what a connection to have. A beautiful line full of character!

[@josephj9828]

Very nice video. It's great to see these small branch lines that have a long history. I love the integration with both historic amateur and movie shots and their current view, especially at Braughing. Also, is that a "face reveal" at 16:42? 😁

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you very much! And yes, that's me making my occasionally cameo appearance!

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

Another excellent film and exploration. Loved the use of historical footage woven with the same view today. Thank you for these nostalgic trips and for documenting our lost heritage.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure - really glad you approve of this entry 🙂

[@tracya4087]

oh i have missed you dear friend , between working nights and restoring flame cut cab panels , its my 53 rd birthday on monday , so we are catching the train into wigan from pemberton and having a drink in wigan central , the pub named after the lost station , you have sent me a smashin present , thanks chum and god bless from nick in wigan , still in lancashire

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many happy returns for Monday and thanks for your continuing support!

[@tracya4087]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways you always will chum

[@peterheath9002]

Brilliant, I rode this railway in the cab of a DMU in September 1964 as I knew it was to close

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you - and what a wonderful memory to have!

[@MrRobinMould]

This is just so good. Well done!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks - do share far and wide if you can!

[@chairmakerPete]

Cracker of a railway, and a super film to show it off. Great research and then-and-now shots. Fabulous. Thank you!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed!

[@joehamlin8265]

As someone who grew up here, my grandad always used to tell me about this line whilst we walked in the area, so good to see it in action

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Really glad you enjoyed the film!

[@ianhawkins4132]

Spent many a happy day in the 1970s with other kids getting up to no good along that line, especially between Standon and Braughing stations. Braughing station then was almost deserted apart from an old couple in the station house.Some of the sheds we knew to contain stuff from the 1960s closure but we never managed to liberate it. The modern development just to the north may have been made possible by the previous buildings on the site (mushroom sheds?) spontaneously falling down. The bridge across the Rib was still in place then, no track bed so the brave leapt across the gaps between each crossbeam, defying the drop into the river; the less bold walked along the edge beams holding onto the railings for support. Happier times, thanks for the video which brought back these memories.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Really glad you enjoyed the film and that it stirred some happy memories!

[@buffplums]

I really enjoyed this film. I don’t know why but the name Buntingford is just delightful, maybe it’s an age thing and maybe reminds me of the girls name Bunty that was the namesake of the girls comic and that iconic identity of something English. The music in this video along with the narration is perfectly suited for my long distant memories of childhood in the 1960s and the much missed character of our long lost beloved England so different to today. I guess it’s the young peoples world now as it always was, handed down to the next generation to do what they will with it. Thank you for such a lovely trip back in time

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

So glad you enjoyed the film and that it stirred happy memories!

[@peterg957]

Excellent as always... Thank you my friend...

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - do share far and wide if you can!

[@chrimbo90]

I walked part of the route in lockdown. It’s a beautiful part if the country!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It really is - on a summer's day there's little to beat it!

[@davidcoleman6032]

Fascinating film,yet so sad as to what has been lost.Many thanks should also go to the people who had the foresight to film and photograph while it was there.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you - and agreed, thank goodness photos were taken!

[@barbarafeerick-jr5ie]

What a captivating video. My Dad often talks about this line and its lovely to see how amazing the line was. Would like to walk this sometime. If only we could turn back the clock. im sure the line would be used well today.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it - so much of it can be walked and the countryside is among the best through which I have journeyed!

[@davidharris6527]

Another fabulous film....... On a track I explored many years ago....

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you - and what a fine track it is to explore!

[@007JHS]

One of the best little documentaries I've scene... excellent production values.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Very kind of you to say so, thank you!

[@DF-ws2xv]

Really good film showing then and now pictures along the track with great commentary and background music.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks for kind review!

[@brianmicky7596]

Hi, Thank you for a fantastic commentary, Yes it's sad to see what was, (it's what the old days was all about ) the young ones of today don't know what they missed out on, Thanks again, All the Best Brian 🤗😎

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it - Many thanks indeed - do share far and wide if you can!

[@dukeofaaghisle7324]

Superb video, with excellent overlays of past and present images. I used to live just east and just west of this disused branch from the 1980s to 2010. I always looked for the road crossing points on various trips out. I frequently used Kettle Green Bridge, and many times also crossed the route at Mardock, Standon and Buntingford - memories of happy days!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Very glad you enjoyed the film and that it did justice to your memories of the area 🙂

[@EandEFC]

Thanks brings back so happy memories of walking the line a couple of years back love the old bridge which I enjoyed when I found it

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

So many delights still to be found on this beautiful line 🙂

[@Twmpa]

What a fantastic film. This lovely branch line is yet another monument to the short sighted folly of Beeching and the government he represented. His biggest mistake was his determination to see railways as a capitalist profit making enterprise rather than the public service that they should have been. The Bunt is an example of one of those hundreds of branch lines which were not particularly busy or profitable but, relatively, cost pennies to run, that Beeching ordered the closure of. On closure it was assumed that the branch line passengers would then drive to their nearest railhead, where the branch joined a mainline, and catch a train from there. However, rather than doing this, people tended to complete their entire journey by car thus depriving the mainlines of important passenger feeds and only serving to increase British Railways losses. Nowadays we have a government who would like to get us out of cars and onto public transport. However, public transport is now very sparse and expensive. Does anyone know anywhere in Britain, outside of a major city, where one can catch a bus after about 7pm anymore?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Very kind of you to say so, thank you indeed! And I believe many on here would echo your remarks RE branch line closures and public transport

[@nigelhall6714]

Top top draw...use of historic video and the wonderful music with drone shots...stunning. Well done!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Very kind of you to say so. I hope I'm permitted to say that this is probably most acvomfilm at a technical level!

[@Wilayaat]

A fantastic but also very saddening documentary seeing the dismantling of a branch line and the incredible buildings associated with it left to perish. All before my time but that doesn't make it any less frustrating to watch. The Beeching Report was a disaster, a lot to answer for.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I think many would agree with your sentiments. Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@patthewoodboy]

I cycle the remains of that line quite often , the countryside around it is beautiful ... thanks for the post 🙂

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure 😊

[@alistairshaw3206]

Another interesting and extremely well made video. The editing with drone footage and the old pre closure video is excellent. Many railways were lost during my childhood that I would love to have travelled on.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Very kind of you to leave such a kind comment. Yes, how I too would've loved to have travelled on these lines now lost.

[@Cadadadry]

So touching to rediscover normal human behaviour in those old films... Thumbs up for your good work :)

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@andrewbaxter8828]

A lovely film - enlivened by all the footage from the past and the clips (plus clipped tones) of Niven, Sinden et al. The answer to the question posed in the title, from the perspective of someone tasked with “reshaping Britain’s railways” in the early 1960s, was never going to be anything other than yes. But now, when the aerial shots show that Buntingford has grown considerably (along with so many other towns that have lost their rail link) who knows?

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you for your comment and kind words about my film, together with your even handed assessment about line closures etc 🙂

[@danceaway6463]

Aw this was interesting and sad: as a young teen I remember walking and playing around the Widford Station where you still could see the platform and the canopy, that was around the early 80's til it was turned into a coalyard. I wish I had taken a snapshot of it whilst something still remained. I wish we could re-open some of these branches at least. Fascinating to see the films clips made in some of the stations. Lovely 🚂

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Do see The Bunt website for some extraordinary photos of the station!

[@christinet5891]

Marvellous video, the best yet. Well done on aa superb job,very professional. I agree, the finest lost railway in Herts - and I love The Alban Way !

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks for your kind words - I must confess I'm rather proud of this effort!

[@andrewchivers509]

I think this is one of your finest. The meticulous research and the interspersing of the feature films with the images of today, is particularly impressive. Well played 😊

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it! I must confess that I feel this is my most technically accomplished film!

[@Beatlefan67]

This is worthy of being shown on mainstream TV. So much better than the dross that infects our screens these days (or rather 'some' screens as ours seems to be off most of the time anyway!)

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

That's really kind of you to say so, thank you 🙂

[@FreedomtowerStudios]

Another beautifully done video! I noticed at 12:20 when the line crossed Paper Mill Lane what looks like a rail in the bottom left corner! Was that part of the line or something else? Also can't wait for the next one!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

I think it was a rail used to 'support' the crossing, rather than a rail upon which trains ran - though I stand to be corrected! Many thanks for your kind words - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@johnwalton2019]

It is truly heart-breaking to see this. Of course, it is easy to be hard on the Beaching cuts in the 1960s, but these little corners of Hertfordshire were very rural in those days. Of course now a light railway in these areas would be truly amazing given how many commuters now live in this part of the countryside and is exactly what is needed 150 years onwards as we need to remove ween ourselves from the dominance of the car. This is like the Bishop's Stortford to Braintree line too.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks for your thoughts and comment 👍

[@tominnis8353]

What a fascinating video, superbly edited to clearly show key past and present locations. I particularly liked the footage featuring dmus - once hailed as possible saviours of lines such as this. Once again: thank you for all your hard work.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it! Do subscribe if you've not already done so and enjoy my other films in the series 🙏

[@johnmay2786]

Thankyou so much for another interesting and memory stirring piece. I have just had a glance into my Winter 1958/9 edition of Ian Allan's abc of BR Locomotives Combined Volume to discover I had seen one of the N7 class featured.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed the film - do share far and wide if you can!

[@sandycheeks7865]

Brilliant. Just Brilliant.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - do share the film far and wide if you can 🙂

[@bayans344]

Amazing energy and funds put in the dismantling of the line. It would be sufficient to modernize and, maybe, use it until today.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

If nothing else it would have made a delightful heritage railway!

[@markbrownless1679]

they took us out of school in 1964 to travel on the last passenger train ...it was a lovely line and should have never been shut down ..

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

What a delightful trip to have taken and a good reason to get out of the classroom!

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Another one lost. Very nice presentation, it would have made a great heritage railway. Thanks for sharing.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

My pleasure - and agreed - a fine heritage railway it would have made!

[@Ted010]

A beautifully crafted and evocative video with a fine narration. Lovely to watch.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@JohnBath-f8p]

Explored this route from Standon to Buntingford two years ago. Sad to think areas now heavily built up recently have no rail connection any more.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

It's a beautiful route to explore, one of my favourite lost branch lines

[@stephenfarmer3908]

Lovely video but so sad to see such a beautiful railway gone😢

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thank you! And agreed!

[@Andrewjg_89]

Awesome documentary on the former railway line in Hertfordshire, East of England. Very good stuff.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed!

[@Andrewjg_89]

@@RediscoveringLostRailways No worries 😉

[@Nivshin53]

From a production perspective, these films just get better and better, especially with a mix of overhead drone and contemporary cine films to enhance an excellent and highly informative commentary. I recall hearing on Radio a while back that a detailed review had been conducted on each of the original Beeching closures and a significant number would still fail the 'reinstatement test' most likely - as you and I have exchanged on previously - they should possibly have never been built in the first place albeit projections for a switch to the Motor Car would have been non-existent when the Bunt itself opened in 1863!!!! Never ceases to amaze me though just how Mother Nature is able to completely reclaim the Trackbed and other Infrastructure in double quick time!! Keep 'em coming!!

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Thanks ever so much for you thoughts and kind words about my film David - always glad to know that my long terms subscribers continue to be happy with my channel's content!

[@markmackay1553]

A fantastic video many thanks for sharing.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Many thanks indeed - very kind of you to say so - do share the film far and wide if you can!

[@billygillan821]

Really interesting video ,and we'll put together,and loved the way you would put clips of famous movie stars,then pan out like there ghosts,truly well done😃🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Glad you enjoyed it! The scenes featuring the films were put together by another gentleman who allowed me to use them in my video - very kind of him and he did a great job!

[@Thailandescapades]

presentation is top notch... without doubt the best on youtube.... so look forward to the next one... thanks for this one though 👏👏👏👏

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Really very kind of you to say so, thank you!