Saintfield - a place of railway pilgrimage

The jewel in the crown of the County Down, a lovely old station with two buildings available to rent on airbnb:
Stationmaster's house: www.airbnb.co....
Old waiting room: www.airbnb.co....
Bonus BBC Scene Around Six clip, 1972 (requires registration): bbcrewind.co.u...

[@MrJasdog107]

Loverly interesting video of railway history. When we were children in the 60s our local station was closed down and all buildings were left intacted i remember the ticket office complete with unissued tickets ladys waiting it became a unificial playground for many years . If only i would of known the value of all the memorabila just left to perish to the weather and vandals what a waste.

[@ST-ur7oh]

HI Richard, another good quality video. From Saintfield myself and appreciate the early photos. Have a good festive break. Rgds.

[@sunnyjim1372]

The forked item sat on the lever frame at 3:14 looks like a tablet catcher used for exchanging the single line tablet without stopping the train. There were different varieties, but they all worked on the same principle with lineside and locomotive mounted equipment. You can see an example on Dunluce Castle at Cultra.

[@trainscranesandtrivialtale7262]

Rather them than me! There would have been a lot of dropped tablets if I'd been a railway employee in those days

[@patrickstocks3576]

Can we have the railway’s back as it was decades ago?

[@trainscranesandtrivialtale7262]

Wishful thinking I'm afraid Patrick

[@timcasterton5728]

That unidentified item at 6.22/6.23 is for guiding / supporting point rodding, the little rollers on it helping with the movement.

[@trainscranesandtrivialtale7262]

Thanks Tim. I wouldn't have had a clue. Might well be an original piece of equipment then

[@Sam-ot6hg]

I was there on an open day twenty years ago, and I think I remember the gents' 'facilities' were still there in some shape. It's great to see all this detail. My father was a signalman elsewhere, with a great cast iron fireplace in the corner! Once again, thanks to you and the owners.

[@georgebarnes8163]

Excellent video

[@paulwilson7234]

A very informative video, the station and all the buildings are a credit to the owners. It's great to see such buildings being renovated and a bit of history preserved. Just to wish yourself and all of the subscribers a Happy Christmas. 🎄⛄

[@onlycompetitions5083]

Fascinating! I had no idea that all of this was still in existence.

[@susancraig3966]

A bumper edition! Very interesting esp as it's a home to this day.

[@donnasmyth45]

Fantastic.

[@sirtompo2]

Fascinating

[@Cyberbeagle1000]

Hi Richard, oh mate. The Goods Shed is staring you in the face! If you've ever been in Blain Brothers getting wood you'd've seen the interior in all it's original glory. I could really have helped you with these videos! The items you're not sure about are pretty clearly signalling rod rollers and I think a facing point lock. It's also 'Downpatrick and County Down Railway', hasn't gone by 'Downpatrick Railway Museum' in nearly 30 years!

[@trainscranesandtrivialtale7262]

I see the entire station is for sale as of today - not for the first time in recent years

[@pasmyth1963]

I think the stone implement is a knife / scythe sharpener.

[@richardhayes5423]

Hi Richard. I was told the reason the Signal Box was saved so complete was the owner at the time they where lifting the line a work man cutting the lever from from Crossgar Box set the Box on fire destroying it. When the owner of Saintfield hear this he refused to let anyone touch his Signal. Not sure if that’s true but it’s nice story. Keep up the great work

[@trainscranesandtrivialtale7262]

Great story even if it's a myth. You wonder why they even bothered to take up all the old equipment anyway. Suppose it probably had a resale value. I do remember hearing a rumour that much of the BCDR rail itself was reused in Sri Lanka

[@realsimon22]

Are "these things" not sections of rail hammered into the ground?

[@trainscranesandtrivialtale7262]

One of them is. They seem to be everywhere at the old stations. But there were other miscellaneous things that I couldn't identify. Although one of my friends had told me the machine on the patio is a whetstone for sharpening knives

[@realsimon22]

@@trainscranesandtrivialtale7262 - thanks for the reply. You are producing great videos - looking forward to more in 2021! Enjoy your break!

[@Sam-ot6hg]

There is a rail stuck into the ground at Bangor West (by the path) which I think is the same article in old photos holding up a trackside sign.