Snowdrift at Bleath Gill (1955)

[@neilewart4347]

We now go to pieces when there is a light flurry of snow. Great blokes who just sorted things out. I remember the very bad winter of '62. We all survived without hundreds of media people interfering and government officials advising us how to keep warm.

[@alanhindmarch3228]

Love the dramatic music, my Dad who fired one of the Locos in this film told me it wasn’t that dramatic it was bloody freezing.

[@tango6nf477]

Although not a Railway man this film reminds me so much of my Father who was of the same generation, hard working, stoic, and who just seemed to take all in his stride and got on with things without the moaning and bleating you hear today. I have to confess to having been moved and saddened to think men like these have all gone.

[@danfoard76]

the loco that was frozen solid in this film is now only a few months away from being steamed as a complete loco after nearly 30 years of restoration and its being re-built by the Stainmore Railway Preservation Group.

[@practicalsargentsharp9490]

now its at the great central with one of its rescuers

[@Theoldcontemptible]

@@practicalsargentsharp9490 who was the rescuer of 78018 you mentioned

[@practicalsargentsharp9490]

@@Theoldcontemptible 78019, the story goes that 78017 and 15, which are seen in the film briefly were also joined by 19

[@DaysLikeThese65]

Mad respekt to these blokes. Brutal winter and they are all dressed in flat cap, thin overcoat and sporting ties. Real men.

[@bussesandtrains1218]

You'd be surprised how warm they are

[@garysmith9818]

I also didn't see anyone wearing gloves or mittens while digging. Hard to do that here at 40 below in the middle of winter.

[@TheAgriVlog]

​@@bussesandtrains1218❤❤❤❤

[@fordlandau]

Brilliant British documentary.

[@stupat3]

Don't know how many times I've watched this. These were the days, when men got on with the job.I love the memories it reminds me of my childhood in the late 50's. .

[@spinningbackspin]

Mine too. But, I was no where near trains.

[@ColinBillett]

Splendid - I could watch it over and over again. In fact, I often do.

[@TheRealBoroNut]

@4:33 One of the finest moments in cinematic history - David Lean would have been proud. I remember seeing this in junior school. It has always stayed with me. Winters can be breathtaking up here still.

[@alstokesveteranfilmmaker913]

Eeee by 'eck as like - the long lost voice but never to be forgotten Deryck Guyler. From the days of my youth. Wonderful.

[@stephensmith4480]

One of the Narrators was Deryck Guyler. Who remembers him as the school janitor in Please Sir, tv series from the seventies.

[@speakfreeley4473]

...& PC Corky in 'Sykes'.

[@tonypaddler]

... and playing his washboard on many a TV programme 😃👍

[@stephensmith4480]

@@tonypaddler 👍👍

[@stuartthegrant]

Come back British Railways the country needs you!

[@Theoldcontemptible]

No I am not waiting 30-minutes for a late train only to get bland cheese sandwiches

[@jeffreyhodge5564]

I love the voices and commentary ;it’s all about the situation pertaining ;precise and descriptive ,it’s not like the media today ;jobsworths wittering on trying to be funny ,we need to know what is occurring ,my gosh we have lost the railway ;the weather and genuine broadcasting ability : listen to BFI train time (the full version ) you can visualise the scene without watching it because the presenters ,producers etc had talent ,also recommend fully fitted fright ,never get tired of them.

[@spinningbackspin]

I agree so much, Jeffrey.

[@fayecox9401]

I agree to

[@dubster48]

This is just a brilliant film

[@pentrefoelas]

Super film of real life not so long ago and the spirit we once had - thanks for posting. Amazing snow - rare today like this in England.

[@masgtai]

"Motive power sent in two engines and two heavy ploughs, but conditions were still bad and the ploughs got stuck too..." proof that even in the good ol' days things still wouldn't go to plan at times.

[@Wettonbunker]

Absolutely love this bit of film.

[@PhilTrigwell]

My dad Ben Williams..was one of the voices in this documentry(the one with the faint welsh accent! .. :-)

[@user-sx8hp8im5y]

PhilTrigwell my

[@thetorchchannel357]

Awesome !!

[@abundantYOUniverse]

Wow that is awesome thanks!

[@MS-wg4ty]

Cool.

[@77thTrombone]

If only I knew what a Welsh accent sounded like, I'd have a chance to recognize it. Can you note the timestamp of the video when he comes in, for those of us who things Wales just refers to really big fish?

[@d.p.davies7553]

This is one of my most favourite bbc documentaries. It is almost like you are actually there with the lads. They all cooperate to get the job done. They are all determined and do their utmost to accomplish their purpose. Cooperation, determination and tenacity, their are certainly qualities to emulate. You get a sense that lives are on the line, not just the train. People are in need and the men are trying fervently to fill that need. It's enjoyable to watch. Good old BBC!!! Thanks.

[@Poliss95]

It wasn't made by the BBC.

[@gquayle]

It was made by British Transport Films. Or BTF

[@youtubister]

Wonderful clip and a favourite of mine. From a bygone age and a far cry from what happens in Britain today when it snows. Notable is the clothing the workers wore. No fleeces or Goretex jackets in them days. True grit. 5:20 !

[@shade19752000]

To the 2 people who disliked this video, YOU SAD SACKS!! Great video show's the true working spirit of getting locos and REAL wagons out of the snow!! Railways come to a stand still with the snow nowadays!

[@Poliss95]

Three engines got stuck. The railway came to a standstill.

[@thomashambly3718]

explorermap but they really tried to get it fixed, these days it's like, "not even going to bother, if you are stuck, then you will have to stay the night."

[@garthcox4]

A scenic route like this would be a tourist attraction these days. Shame it closed in the 60's

That's Doctor Beeching for you...

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@ the decision for closure was made the same month that Dr Beeching took charge of BR by the North East TUCC and approved by Matples on 7th December 1961. Stop blaming leeching for every closure.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Most of the viaducts east of Kirkby Stephen were either made entirely of metal or partially of metal. These would have been to expensive for a preservation society.

[@77thTrombone]

Ah! This must be what Michael Flanders and Donald Swann sang about on their "Slow Train." (This remark will assuredly separate any geezers from the young-uns who stumble through here....)

[@obliviousotterI]

@@77thTrombone No more will I go, to Blandford Forum and Mortyhoe, on the slow train, from Midsummer Norton and Mumby road . . . (I'm 16)

[@ericprint3576]

This is why young folks shouldn't complain about their jobs these lads worked through the toughest of situations and came out on top like true hard working lads

[@andrewcraig-bennett3659]

Absolutely wonderful.

[@geraldhannibal7654]

Brilliant filmmaking. The definition and tonal range takes some beating. Thank you BFI.

[@exileinderby51]

78018, the engine stranded in the snow drift is running on the Great Central Railway in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

[@engineerskalinera]

The ol' Barry, the rescued engine.

[@martinsims1273]

Nice one!

[@TalkeTalker]

This loco has just had a test run on the currently Covid 19 closed GCR over the weekend 30/31st May 2020. I never knew it had a famous past! Now it is famous twice. Roll on 78018.

[@exileinderby51]

@@TalkeTalker It's surprising how people are still watching this. I'm glad to hear that it's still running as it was easy three years since I last saw it. I can't wait until I can see it again in the metal!

[@Isochest]

Glad to see one of the lucky few saved from the scrapper!

[@boblovell5789]

The comment about using a jet engine for removing snow reminds me of a conversation I had many years ago with someone who did his National service in the RAF. Well he was part of a team set up to see if the jet would clear a line of snow somewhere in Wales. Result. It did an excellent job of clearing more ballast from the track than snow!

[@jantyszka1036]

Just watching all the shock! horror! headlines as "Storm Arwen batters Britain" (27 Nov 2021). This film was made when snow WAS snow, you got stuck in and dug yourself out, you didn't post a video on Facebook of your car on the drive with a sprinkle of the white stuff on the windscreen. No hard hats or 'high vis' clothing, either. Don't know how many times I've watched this film, I love it!

[@freddieellis8449]

Love the music. Remember watching this from a very early age.

[@anthonygostling]

Yes the snow has gone at Bleath Gill, and sad to say so has the railway.....

[@speakfreeley4473]

The latter thanks to a certain Dr Beeching no doubt.

[@sarahgardiner1649]

@@speakfreeley4473 No, it was proposed for closure long before the Beeching report. It just became unprofitable.

[@b3j8]

Reminds me, painfully, of last yrs' long, bitter, US Winter! But, great little video. Thanks for posting this one!

[@mervynsands3501]

Fabulous effort they put in to clear the snowdrift. Only to see the route close several years later. A great pity that investment wasn't forthcoming as it was a useful transpennine crossing! I liked the film very much, remember scenes like this, hard graft required to get it sorted usually.😅👍

[@petertunny]

Fantastic footage thank you

[@1258-Eckhart]

Brilliant. Thankyou for posting.

[@downhill240]

Excellent film! thanks you for posting this jewell!!

[@christopherdaviddvan-hilto4495]

A Brilliant Film About Men Who Got Stuck In And Kept Going Until The Job Was Done. I Wonder If People Would Do The Same Thing Now?.

[@spinningbackspin]

or dial 911?? US. not sure the Brit number.

[@Theoldcontemptible]

Yes we would. If we get tea and sandwiches at Barnard castle

[@BrokenIET]

Yeah, they would. These lot are doing it because its their job, not because they enjoy it? If this was my job of course I’d do it, else I won’t get paid. Its comments like this that cause stress amongst younger generations.

[@MrDavil43]

Those were men you could have confidence in, and who didn't shy away from hard graft. I suspect many of them had been in the Forces. These days you'd need risk assessments, working time directive confirmation and a whole mass of bureaucracy before a shovel could be lifted. And then anyone who hadn't attended a H&S course on shovelling would be sent away again.

[@jrflywheel9386]

Great film,many thanks for posting.Steam will always be king.

[@doubleboost]

Real Men Propper job

[@firefox5926]

now days you would just use a rotary plough or a excavator with ac sod shoveling this for a game of sticks

[@GaryNumeroUno]

Real men who knew how to spell 'proper'!

[@ginajones1003]

doubleboost As the Cornish say ‘propper job, m’handsome. :)

[@77thTrombone]

GaryNumeroUno - real men don't miss the point.

[@ginajones1003]

That bit about ‘cotton waste and paraffin’ - mind your hands etc - definitely before health and Safety laws. RIP the Children and adults at Aberfan.

[@TheSudrianTerrier653]

The fact that 78018 later survived the cutter’s torch and Is currently operational

[@pluaninoxc]

Great clip! But someone 'disliked' it. Seriously, why would someone bother to do such a thing; there's nothing to dislike! Haters: you've gotta love 'em. X

[@davidgosling7430]

When men were men and boys were boys and proud to be British.

[@mikkie444]

cant see them bothering to dig out any train these days, to much hard work

[@elizabethtaylor9321]

mikkie444 2” inches of snow these days and the country grinds to a halt , pardon the pun but there all snowflakes nowadays !

[@craigcorson3036]

There is less need to do so. Less snow, and better plows.

[@mio396]

The route between Kirkby Stephen and Barnard Castle is no longer there! You can only see parts of the old track system. I like to look at old films on Google Maps to see how it looks there today.

[@lesreed9269]

First class video quality.

[@mrvontrips]

When winters were proper winters...

[@bryn494]

And real men didn't need gloves :D

[@willb1157]

@@bryn494 And the mortality rate of children was huge.

[@realitycheck3363]

That was really cool. Cold even.

[@thomasfrancis5747]

Interesting chapter on this line in the book "The Trains Now Departed". They once tried a couple of jet engines to clear the snow - didn't work. Stations were repainted and a new roof put on a loco shed shortly before the line closed - usually a bad sign of things to come! An important East West line but relied a lot on coal and iron ore traffic. Quarry offered to buy the complete line but BR refused. Large iron Belah Viaduct designed by the man who went on to do the ill fated Tay Bridge.

[@williamroberts8766]

As a train driver today I am sure some of our younger drivers would run away as it was hard work.But the drivers of steam were more than locomotives they were true railwaymen..thanks for our conditions and much more.

[@hirundine]

As someone who was a Locomotive Engineer for CP Rail In late 1970's - 80's, in southern B.C. Canada. It was somewhat similar for us in the mountains. there. The trans-canada mainline may well have been different? We were working what was left of the southern route into what was known as, the Kettle Valley routes. When we had snow over the mountains. We left the terminal on designated snowplow duty. Everyone pitched in to clear not only the right of way, also the crossings at grade the switches and sidetracks. While as the hoghead, I was always in charge of the diesel electric locos. Yet all the trainmen, maintenance and B&B would all pitch in if necessary. The sawmills, would do their own snow clearing. Even with heavy concrete in those snowplows, they were notoriously light and if there was an ice build up, they could easily derail. The maintenance workers who crewed them, were relying on the Engineer to keep them safe. Yet the only time management would look the other way over speed restriction, was when the pilot of the plow called for more speed. Speed was required to shoot the snow away to make room for the next snowfall. These days the small machines they use for the same purpose, have hydraulic blades to push the snow away.

[@renegadeoflife87]

Its for that exact reason that I consider Diesel locomotives to be operated by drivers instead of Engineers as a steam locomotive would have had. The diesel operator is there to push buttons and talk on the radio. The steam operator has to skillfully manipulate an assortment of control levers and valves to make the engine perform well, and one has to know a bit of theory and practical skills in order for that to happen.

[@samstainer6322]

Utter bollocks

[@lendoggtheking]

its so easy th give it the ol' "youth of today" nonsence isnt it

[@Neighbour_Al]

Tilleys are bright, but it"s remarkable that they could film by that low light level. Much to be said for B&W film stock!

[@eddiejones.redvees]

I can not remember this Wether back in 1955 but then I was only one year old

[@tracya4087]

THANK YOU

[@rickhctep1503]

I could not see men digging a Train out in them conditions now a days.

[@elizabethtaylor9321]

Rick hctep Elf n safety wouldn’t allow it !

[@rickhctep1503]

@Randy Bingham You are right there Randy, the buggers don't know what work is, why work when you get money thrown at you to stay in bed.

[@CXensation]

On Google maps south 1mile of Stainmore at A66, there is a nicely curved line in the landscape, indicating the old railroad bed. Here is a dark shallow section of the line, where I'd think the line was burried in snow back in 1955.

[@jeffkesner7936]

One of my pastimes is to look at historical videos and then see if I can locate location on GM or G Earth. Thanks for the clue.

[@steveb1739]

The Stainmore Summit sign is still there. Went past it on Wednesday (7/9/22) on the A66!

[@sarahgardiner1649]

@@steveb1739 it’s a reproduction.

[@poohsmate]

Brilliant!!

[@jeffkesner7936]

This was the line between Barnard Castle and Tebay. Last train to run on the line was 20, January 1962

[@latham29]

Fantastic film! Please can you upload some more of the British transport films, especially some of those titles that are not available on DVD. Thanks

[@julesotis13]

awesome thanks for sharing

[@floor993]

Smoking digging and coughing.... when there were still man that could dig....

[@countcliff6079]

What a wonderful film of time gone by. I doubt the youth of today could dig out a steam train at night without gloves.

[@WHOKAY25]

Bought 'The Best of British Transport Films' on Blu-Ray, this film is included and I would highly recommend getting the Blu-Ray if you have a compatible player.

[@sinistershenanigans965]

Sutch hard cold work just for a bob or two. God bless them. 🇬🇧

[@JesseP.Watson]

"Weeaar, b°°°°°°ing thing's all frozzin up... Aye. Nay worry, set 'b°°°°°°° a fire, that'll see to it."

[@martiniv8924]

When we had real winters 🇬🇧

[@bussesandtrains1218]

The good old days when everything stopped for an entire month...

[@shade19752000]

This has come off the website for the DRPS 78018 Well, 78018 has left North Road for the Great Central Railway for completion of it's restoration with the assistance of the Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group (LSLG). The LSLG will be the custodians of the locomotive whilst the DRPS will remain the locomotives owners.

[@almostkentish3042]

Class 2 owners club meet at Bleath Gill, circa 1955

[@johnbrown9092]

Superb.

[@train4905]

I really enjoyed that.thankyou for posting.

[@GaryNumeroUno]

Hahaha... Land lady's cake comment was funny.

[@neilbain8736]

"Here's to the next time anyway." That would be 1963 then. The reason why half an inch of snow or a few leaves discombobulate things now, is not cos we're a load of wimps ( discuss ), but because trains these days have bugger all coefficient of friction. They're too light. The reason trains work in the first place is that steel rails and steel wheels generate little friction so you can carry more for less energy input. Your BR Standard Class 4 or whatever was massively heavy in comparison with a class 158 DMU and once it got going, it had a lot of momentum, and they don't. Stopping was fun. Before continuous braking, if you had a train of un braked waggons and a steep hill down, you had to stop, get out and manually partially apply each brake individually on each of however many of the waggons as you saw appropriate. Perhaps you also had the aid of an engine for braking kept in reserve at that locale for just such a purpose, that you had requested at the previous signal box, and with the guard applying his brake in his van, also manually, you set off cautiously. The failure to do this caused a fatal accident at Manchester Victoria in 1947, where the driver of a train of petrol tankers thought he could manage without the braking engine as he had coped OK at a similar situation in Leeds. He got it wrong, and the train ran away with him. The through line to Exchange was occupied so it had to be sent through a bay platform ( dead end ) and up onto the concourse. This was a steam train, powered by fire, of course, and with ruptured waggons, it was a miracle that the staff got the fire out. The driver at least was killed though.

[@retrorambles517]

We don't get snow or winter's like that anymore

[@whigwood]

Not the Lake District - though I'm sure I'm not the first to point that out. It's near Stainmore on the County Durham / Cumbria border in the high Pennines.

[@saltspringrailway3683]

Not far from where Hannah toiled alone on her farm. Low Birk Hat farm.

[@sirrliv]

There's an old trick I remember hearing about that American & Canadian snowplow crews came up with; to stop the snow from sticking to the plows and clogging them up, weighing them down, and generally making the job a lot harder, before plowing they'd mop the surface of their plows with oil or kerosene. That would stop the snow sticking, although it would pollute it a bit, but not too badly since only a thin layer of oil was needed, just enough to stop the freezing wet snow from touching the cold steel plow. I wonder if these British plough crews knew about that trick, or if it would work since it looks like these are older wooden ploughs.

[@thomashambly3718]

These ploughs were steel

[@BritishRailProductions]

'You'd think the Language would be enough to bring out this General Four' 'Come out You F****** Bastard'

[@simonlunt353]

It’s amazing now that people see a bit of snow and they are saying l can’t get to work 😂

[@terencewilliammckenna6121]

Snow had come early to Sodor. It was heavier than usual. Most engines hate snow. Donald and Douglas were used to it. Coupled back-to-back with a van between their fenders and with a snowplow on their fronts each, they set to work.

[@ashbytimuk]

BTF (British Transport Films), not the BBC. Having said that I do agree with your sentiments.

[@mauriceupton1474]

Argh the good old days dugging when everyone had employment.

[@simonf8902]

A magnificent line indeed. Sadly closed.

[@pannyman7]

I have an 8mm print of this little gem

[@engineerskalinera]

If anyone asks me, you have all the bragging rights.

[@elizabethtaylor9321]

Rather nasty weather we’re having Mr Chormondley Warner ...yes Mr Grayson very nasty indeed !

[@hughvane]

Fascinating, memories of trains from my childhood here in NZ. It being 1955, I wonder why flame throwers were't used to melt ice/snow.

[@lewisner]

They tried using a rail mounted jet engine but it just forced the train back.

[@stanleywalker2566]

nobody mentioned in dispatches marvelous men in those days.........mug of tea sandwiches eaten with frozen dirty hands but a laugh and oh the bad glorious language to keep the smiles when telling the missus at home.

[@ThePanzer6]

My Favorite BTF

[@oldmoley1599]

All that snow, but not a "snowflake" in sight. Britain at its best. And we are supposed to have progressed.....

[@philclennell]

Superb documentary. Today's wimps would be citing health and safety and nothing would move for a week. Proper men's work and fortunately not a woman in sight.

[@Edward2Fan47]

It would be nice if they could make a feature film about it while using the same engine that’s now preserved.

[@paulrounding5260]

Would be a lot of Daz…

[@mikecawood]

The late lamented Darlington to Tebay line.

[@ianferguson2434]

Not a hard hat, hi viz jacket or pair of gloves in sight. Proper hard graft by proper blokes

[@anilpille189]

Super Railway man

[@thedreamtommylees]

78018? its now at the Great Central Railway

[@shade19752000]

Oh right just proves that i haven't been down there in a while and nothing has been said on the Yahoo group about them being custodians of it. It would be great to see it up and running and do a double header with it's sister.

[@jicina53]

and a lot of them don;t have gloves - a hardy bunch indeed

[@colron2]

Train cancelled due to leaves on the line bring back Great Britain

[@thomashambly3718]

What's white, yellow and goes at 15 miles per hour

[@thomashambly3718]

A British rail sandwich

[@steamlocomotivesltdjamesh6760]

Well said and very true the country today stops at snow

[@steamlocomotivesltdjamesh6760]

tanklord99 da boss when Britain was great

[@thomashambly3718]

James Hardy British rail was always late. When it was LNER, LMS, GWR, and southern, they bloody well tried to be on time

[@kevinheard8364]

I am brand new to the channel; but am basically "mezmerized". That said, all these men working.... similar videos as well.... they all look to be in their 50's!!!! Can't find anybody younger to be shoveling that kind of snow?

[@patmwhite68]

These men were not lazy, they'd probably had training from the wars, armu,navy ect about how to stick it out and get on with it. A different breed of men who were not sissy's when it came to getting the job done I guess. Plus they seemed to have a sense of togetherness. They were proud to do this knowing they had nuclear families back at home. This was the 50s afterall, They had better morals and principles they tried to adhere to in society. They dressed great also. No hi viz jackets, These men looked like gentlemen.

[@frenchsteam7356]

the loco at 7.14 is either a J21 or a J25 -best guess a J25

[@davidhunter5347]

What a wonderful look back to simpler times, dig Marples & Beeching up and hang em !

[@Sam_Green____4114]

l heard they only did this for the cameras !! Normally they would have just waited for the snow to thaw out and would have diverted any traffic via routes that were open !! This line was always a backwater and never really carried much traffic and it was already under the threat of closure when this was filmed !

[@thedreamtommylees]

they are both currently residents at the GCR

[@johnnycassettes1228]

Classic!