The Great Steam Loco Adventure - Manchester Victoria Part 1

The final year of main line steam action around Manchester Victoria Railway Station in 1967.

[@johncarden1112]

We had freedom in those days. Being mad on trains, I graduated from lineside to stations to sheds. If you behaved you would never be asked to leave a shed. Now you could not get past the security gate. We were fit and adventurous and learned about life.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi John, very true.

[@michaelstansfield3085]

@johncarden I second your thoughts there. Railways/train spotting taught me more about geography and history than school. My days were spent at Leeds Central & City, visiting 55A and 56C where I fell in love with A1,3 & 4's later years Doncaster, Crewe Kings Cross Bournemouth. All in the height of steam. As you say never to be seen again, the freedom, the generous shed/station staff. Cheers

[@alanstansfield2944]

I got a large lump in my throat watching this video. As a boy in the late 1950's, my mum, dad and brother would take the train from Victoria to spend our summer holidays at Braystones in an old grounded railway carriage on the beach beside the railway embankment. The journey was all part of the fun - so much to 'cop' on the way! Fond memories of the kind I'll never see again.

[@daviddowling9830]

The smell of burning coal,the steam and the clanking of the connecting rods and the magic puff puff and slipping drivers,etched in my memory bank forever,you had it all without the smell,well done mate.

[@grangetowncardiff6935]

Oh yes! If only we could get the smell too! That would take me back, perfectly.

[@petersharp7644]

Fantastic video, scenes that appear now to be from another planet let alone another age. My first visit there was on April 17th 1968 with my older brother. We travelled up from the East Midlands by train to Piccadilly then walked to Victoria. Saw for the first time steam banking up Miles Platting and a great variety of Class 5s, 8Fs and a few Standard Class 5s. Still have my notebook from the day too! We took a trip in a DMU to Bolton and bunked the shed. The main depot building was crammed with withdrawn locos ,I think many with motion removed and fire irons jammed under the controls. It was like a mausoleum. We arrived back at Victoria early afternoon. We stayed slightly later than we should to watch an 8F hauled freight that took an absolute age to creep down Miles Platting , loco was 48282. We legged it as fast as we could back to Piccadilly to get our train home but missed it. It was the last through service back to the East Midlands. The kindly lady in passenger enquiries found us a route home via Stoke and Birmingham New Street, where we changed. Got back home after 11-00pm and our Dad went berserk. He was on the verge of going to the Police Station to report us missing! We couldn't phone them because they weren't on the phone. We were both banned from train trips for 6 months. Great video, thoroughly enjoyable. Thankyou and sorry to waffle on!

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Peter, great story. The risks we took that could attracted the wrath of our parents. I used to jump on passenger trains if a steamer backed onto the front without a clue where it was going until the train had started.

[@ianallen8305]

Just how I remember things it’s hard to get across to younger or non steam generation just how black rusty and dirty steam locos where in the sixties. By then they knew the end was nigh. Love the video great memories

[@hovermotion]

Amazing video to see the mix of steam and diesel before the edn of steam.. I would of been on those platforms in around 1980 to about 1985

[@ralphbalfoort2909]

It's always amazing to see all those 4-wheel "wagons" that were still in use; they'd been gone for over a hundred years in the US.

[@johnmclean6498]

How unique to hear you speak with intimacy to the video you made so many years ago. Wonderful. The words of Eric Lomax (The Railwayman) say it best for me...“...They were alive, they had steam, smoke and the smell of minerals; they burnt energy without concealment, and you could see their fire. They raced against themselves, losing more heat than they used, running by burning their own cargo of coal; but there was something very human about the need to keep the fire going by hand, shovelling and watching, never for a second being able to forget responsibility for the journey and the work. Their waste was exhaled as carbon, sulphur and nitrogen, or swept and scattered as ash, the unburnt particles of coal settling gently on our clothes and hair....”

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi John, very well said. Thanks for sharing.

[@gerardruegg4614]

@@GandyDancerProductions m

[@michaelrussell220]

I was born at the wrong time! Thanks for sharing your memories and fantastic footage with us.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Hello Jon - greetings from Poland You've just made my day. I was a Royal Exchange myself, getting the bus from Altrincham on a Saturday morning. I used to walk the length of "the longest platform" to get to Victoria. You certianly brought back terrific memories from the late 50s/early 60s. I left Altrincham in 1964, never to return.

[@paulyouphone2793]

And comments like yours, Michael Pilling, add to the magic and value of films like these. Thanks for sharing your reactions !

[@nigeldawson8797]

I was a Nottingham Victoria young lad myself but i love this mate.

[@woobyvr9654]

as an engineman in the 21st century it really makes me yearn for a time i wasn't born in. the gritty nasty filthy dirt filled era of steam, i get a taste of it now days but its nothing like what it once was

[@dodgy1954]

I didn't want this film to end. Bucket loads of atmosphere and creative production = new subscriber. Brilliant!

[@jamesarnett1345]

As someone who only really recently got interested in trains, its incredible to see this footage taken over thirty years before I was born of such a different world. Sadly the only way I can experience it now is through films like these, but your voice over adds so much to the overall feel that I don't think I've missed out at all! While I love the modern diesel/electric locos I grew up travelling on, and totally understand why steam is ineffiecent and damaging in comparison, I can't help but feel sad that I'll never get to experience this brilliant part of railway history in its heyday.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks James.

[@thomasm1964]

Some of the bigger heritage railways help to recreate the scène. Also, search for mainline steam tours so you can watch steam-hauled trains run at speed. Not quite the same as the old days (just outside my expérience as well) but still à thrilling sight. Search "mainline steam uk".

[@shakeyhandsshedmodelrailwa2494]

fantastic i very rarely go to victoria nowadays ... in the late 70s i cab rode most of newton heaths diesel stock as my father was a guard i ended up as a train register lad at windsor bridge it depresses me that from platform 11 onwards has gone and what does remain is virtually unreccogniseable even the guards and drivers club has long gone it rips my heart out

[@derekmeller5873]

I only got there for the late 70s. But the steam era Victoria was there till the late eighties. Such a fantastic place to watch it all happen. Excellent video. Thanks for sharing. 🍻

[@keithsanders6554]

What memories. I was there on 4 August 1968 (although I had many visits before that). The station had character which the redevelopment has completely destroyed.

[@train4905]

Fantastic sir,well done,for helping to keep,our proud british history alive,,

[@Jamesb944]

Your stills are beautiful, not to say the rest isn't good! Thank you.

[@thatmodellingbloke]

Excellent filming! I certainly grew up in the wrong era!

[@funklover24]

Great memories coming back, wonderful video. 🚂👍

[@davidgirdwood5311]

Superb photographs, cine and documentary

[@calmwind4576]

This is all incredible footage of a long lost era of what i still believe to be the most impressive marvels of machinery humanity has ever created. Thank you so much for both doumenting and sharing this footage.

[@atilllathehun1212]

Fabulous. I wish I could have seen all this for real but I was a mere 3 years old in 67.

[@stan8647]

From 1962 until 1970 I caught the train to Blackpool each week to attend St Joseph's college. I can smell the smoke ,oil and steam and hear the hydraulic lifts. I am 71years old and remember it well. Strangeways prison tower was visible from the platform and there was a brewery nearby which flooded the station with the smell of beer brewing. Thanks ,I still love steam and have an 00 Guage train set in the cellar. Happy New Year

[@GandyDancerProductions]

I remember the smell of the brewery as well.

[@bartoncessna1]

That footage is amazing! I remember Victoria from about 1977 - still basically intact, but obviously all diesel. Your shots are seriously important from an historical/archival point of view. Please make sure they end up in safe hands for future generations. All the best!

[@shakeyhandsshedmodelrailwa2494]

there is very little of the original victoria that remains what is left is so heavily altered it is unreccogniseable in all reality only the main station offices remain everything else has gone

[@Simonize41]

@@shakeyhandsshedmodelrailwa2494 I’m sure the gentleman meant that Manchester Victoria was still the same in 1977, just that steam traction had obviously gone.

[@shakeyhandsshedmodelrailwa2494]

@@Simonize41 possibly not a great deal altered until into the 90s then it was wide scale destruction

[@johnmurray8428]

Undoubtedly an historical film. Steam around London by 1967 had gone.

[@charlesstanhope1595]

Not until July.

[@tropicalties3806]

Outstanding production as always! You make me feel as if I was there in person. Keep up the great work. 🍻

[@boyfromblackstuff7859]

That brought back fond memories, many thanks for posting.

[@paulbissitt4754]

Amazing,a classic.Victoria was my No 1 place to go spotting in the mid 60,s when I could afford the bus fare!!! Thanks for sharing these gems.

[@MIchaelWIlliams-ix4ys]

Born in 1943, we were light years better off than the poor kids of today with all the instant gratification, off from New Street Birmingham to Scarborough, find a compartment then off up and down the corridor all while the train would be around the 60-70 mph, looking through open windows.... fantastic!!😊😂

[@robertpearce2244]

Thanks for sharing! I wasn’t born until 69 so I missed steam, but I do love watching it in action. Mind you, the throb of that class 25 and that class 40 certainly brought back memories of my own train spotting years in the 70’s and 80’s. 🤩

[@mickyhifi]

What a superb compilation of our very happy days then........how great is is to be transported back to a better time........well I think so anyway.....sincere thanks for sharing it.

[@terryashton3541]

Hi with regards your opening statement about your Ian Allan spotters book, this also brings back many memories, I still have the original Ian Allan locomotives and locoshed book from 1955 with all my numbers crossed out for engines `spotted`, it seems we have a lot in common, now I live in Australia and will never tire of seeing these tremendous videos, thanks to you.

[@megamanmuppet]

@Gandy Dancer Productions need more of this footage it is simply amazing!

[@jonathanwhalley8471]

Can't wait for part 2 Jonathan! Yours is the best steam footage on KZbin.

[@stephendey5056]

Brilliant scenes, brings back wonderful memories of the last time I was there circa 1963/4 ( visiting relations in Manchester ) I was presumed old enough to spend the day there by my parents. Used to flit between there and Exchange, where quite late in the day was invited onto the footplate of a Black 5 by a very friendly driver, whom once he found out my dad was also footplate staff at Norwich, invited me to have a footplate ride with him to Chester, obviously I had to decline as there was no way of letting anyone know why I was so late back , GUTTED ! Only problem with video is too short ! Thanks for posting can't wait for further likewise posts.

[@bobdtaylor1989]

I really love your narration, not to mention the great footage. Makes me nostalgic for a time before I was even born!

[@thef1rew1tch]

NICE! Thanks for posting that. Virtually B/W footage at times!! GRIM up North in 1967. LOVELY!

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi John, grim by today's' standards but had lots of interesting elements and don't mean just the railways

[@thef1rew1tch]

@@GandyDancerProductions Fantastic footage. FAB as they said at the time! Though I doubt most people of that era would have appreciated it - apart from a few diehards such as yourself. Wish I had experienced it but in '67 I was a namby-pamby 7 year old southerner still domicile in South Ruislip, Middlesex. No steam left by 1967...at least none I ever saw when near the line. You were truly privileged.

[@rf8gcrusader]

Great video. You were so lucky to be able to see and photograph that much steam action so late in the 1960's.

[@eliotreader8220]

what lovely footage of the passing of standard gauge steam on BR. my Grandma who has just passed away got on a steam train to get to her workplace around the same period. she had a job in the Civil service

[@peterflitcroft9756]

Exchange station had a ban on trainspotting which was annoying because the Patricroft Standard 5’s worked there. In the 1980’s Granada TV did a series on the revolution in Poland. Victoria station did a pretty good impression of a station behind the iron curtain.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Peter, I remember the caprotti 5 out of Patricroft at Exchange particularly on the Llandudno run. The Granada story an interesting one and I can believe it.

[@ianwarriner8193]

Brilliant takes me back , school holidays and some Saturday mornings, either spotting on the platforms or catching trains up to either Newton Heath or Patricroft ! Great days ! Thanks for posting 😁

[@petersavee4251]

this is incredible footage and commentary! I'm so glad I found this clip by chance!! -greetings from Germany!

[@thefountainpendesk]

Hello there Gandy Dancer! I'm a railway enthusiast and regular Manchester Victoria, its amazing to see how much its changed since the days of steam. Thank you so much for making what is undoubtedly a precious gem of a documentary!

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Marvellous... takes me back to 67/68 on Preston Station. When I did go to Vic in those days my abiding memory is of a dark hole made darker by the mists of steam hanging everywhere. So much more evocative than the almost clinical modern Victoria with trams in the erstwhile bays.

[@uries15]

Steam crews who knew the game was all but over but who lived every last minute of it.

[@raymondmelly6576]

it was great to see all of the old steam engines i worked on the railway for 40 years here in Ireland thank you for the memories

[@tango6nf477]

What an excellent piece of atmospheric history you have here it clearly shows the reality of the last days of steam working for example the poor state of once proud and beloved express locomotives relegated to goods work, scruffy and badly maintained, destined for the scrap yard, so sad.

[@MANCHESTERUKABRIEFVIDEOOFTIME]

Now that's what I call archive footage . ..outstanding Well kept recordings .. so inspiring. .. Respect to you sir. I love this.

[@richardbrooks50]

Fantastic film ! I never realised there would be so many tender first movements

[@terryashton3541]

Absolutely splendid footage, brings back some great memories, albeit from the middle 1950s of this very station, back then I used to look forward to a host of Kingmoor and Polmadie engines from over the border especially the `Clans`, Newton Heath shed 26A used to be favourite back then for trainspotters getting some rare Scottish engines, some even from 63B, today it's truly sad Manchester Victoria is a shadow of what it used to be and regards Miles Platting bank at 1-47 gradient, it was great to see the Liverpool-Newcastle expresses being hauled by double headed `Jubs`, yeh some great memories.

[@bobnweaver]

Superb video. This brings back so many memories for me. Myself and my brother Allan are from Tyneside and used to visit relations in Ashton under Lyne in 1966, 1967 & 1968 during the summer holidays in our final school years. We had many visits to Manchester Victoria and remember these great end of steam days. Thanks for sharing these superb images.

[@little_britain]

Fabulous footage. I never saw all that steam - I am about 10 years younger than you, and only have a dim memory of a steam loco at the head of maroon coaches in Lincoln St Marks. I do model that era though, as it combines everything.

[@vaughanlockett658]

I asked my dad as a young boy what's your favourite loco . He said it would have to be a Black 5 . I never questioned his choice being so young and hanging on your dad's every word , I thought of it later in life to realise what my father represented hard working and innocuous and why he chose that loco . Perhaps there are many other reasons. Later in life I to realise there is a backbone to most industry that is never noticed, it carries a nation and bares the weight just like the working class of England the Black 5 . Thank you for the channel and posting.such fantastic footage.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Well said, Vaughan.

[@spud3607]

Fantastic job especially on the audio, it really brings it alive. At 4 years old I used to stand on the footbridge on Exchange station as the 10.00 steam to Blackpool used to go underneath. I remember loving getting lost in the smoke and steam, and the smell was fabulous. For those who don't know, Exchange and Victoria were virtually end to end. Thank you for the memories.

[@steamgent4592]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏well that made my day another one of your videos they're absolutely wonderful 😊

[@nickmoeken8876]

Love the real experience. Thanks.

[@jonathanmoser4500]

Grerat video. I was a regular traveller to Manchester Victoria when I was a student in the early 80's. All steam had long since gone and it was all 47/4s and later 45/1s plus the occasional 40 as well as deltics on the 0850 York-Liverpool and 1305 return (up to January 1982). However, Victoria still looked just the same as it did back in 1967 and was always a very interesting location with Miles Platting bank to the east and the tangle of through tracks to the west plus the remnants of Exchange station. They simplified it too much when it was modernised and didn't learn anything from the mistakes of the new Euston with respect to its concrete covered, soulless platforms....

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Jonathan, when they modernized these station and sold off most of the land the government wasn't thinking of the future potential of the railways.

[@stevenbrindley2469]

Great to see new classic railway footage, thanks for sharing your film. I remember Manchester Victoria in the late 1970's and 1980's.

[@MikeJones-zt3kb]

Thanks for sharing some amazing footage along with your supporting comments and remomisive memories, you almost feel your sharing memories with someone who had been with you at the time, magical

[@Phil6219]

wow this is honestly a phenomenal video, I remember Man Vic of the 1980s and early 90s and diesels running about (and sadly lots of units) but to see steam days in action, wow it really is something else. Your narration really adds to it too, it's a brilliant video :)

[@mrangry1960]

Amazing footage. Only dimly remember steam at Victoria, as I was only 8 in 68, but loved the station as I used it daily for work, from the 70s onwards coming in on the Bury electrics. The station still had its character until it was ruined by being massively reduced in size.

[@kevincollis2632]

Captured the atmosphere perfectly. Excellent 👍

[@Steven_Rowe]

Great video. Interesting about the platform tickets. In London I could visit any terminus station with no platform ticket and never a problem with the exception of one station, Waterloo. Again the year 1967 and the Bouremouth electrification was imminent, so Waterloo was the last BR station with steam, a Mecca for school boy train spotters. They were right proper Nazis down there, small minded insignificant porter's who even with a platform ticket wanted to show there power. The sound in the video was great until the Class 25 came through but didn't have that unique Sulzer sound but the sound of a class 37. Sad to think it's all gone and I regret never seeing the Woodhead electrics too.

[@Night_Ferry]

Lovely video. Interesting to see so much tender first running.

[@stanleyclark7758]

Thank you, Jonathan, for stirring my memories of a distant childhood watching excitedly as these wonderful machines worked through and around Wellingborough. A much missed, by many, bygone era. I miss the steam age and I always enjoyed its sights, sounds and smells, but I have to admit to preferring the less smoggy atmosphere these days. Thank you for sharing these memories from your childhood. Kind regards. Stan

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks Stanley, funnily enough when I moved away from the smoggy industrial Manchester to move South for work in the early 70's I missed it.

[@stanleyclark7758]

@@GandyDancerProductions I quite understand. On occasion I dip back into the sights, sounds and smell by visiting our heritage lines. Looking forward to your future productions of childhood memories or running your live steam engines. Stan

[@markwarner598]

I can remember Manchester Victoria station in the late 60s and 70s when we caught the train from Leeds to get to Manchester airport it was still the old Victoria station unlike the horrible thing it is now the smell the sounds the noise of the steam engines totally from a world long gone wish you could have such a thing has a time capsule and be able to revisit any time you wanted eh I wish

[@davidmullahy8635]

Plenty of smoke and grime in those days but wonderful memories of a bygone age. Thank goodness there were enthusiasts like you around to record sights like these.

[@flyhalf2]

Happy memories of steam days: Tizer and duffle bags :-) One standout memory is of spotting at Crewe and touching Deltic as she stood at the platform. Thank you for sharing

[@user-qz5yf3nu4x]

Absolutely exquisite. Beautifully made. Thanks for sharing.

[@martinross5521]

I lived in Wright Robinson Hall, UMIST from September 1967 for two years overlooking Piccadilly Station and beside the line to Oxford Road station. I watched the last freight steam trains, especially at night when the firebox lit up the steam. The engines weren’t being maintained anymore and made loud clattering and clanking noises. It was sad to see their very last days but they were hugely impressive. Your filming, at a similar time, brings it all back! Thank you…

[@gussyt1761]

Such a treat these videos, can’t wait for more

[@davidevans7708]

Hello. I first went to Manchester Victoria around 1967/68. My train from Rainhill went into Manchester Exchange. Getting to Victoria involved the long walk along platform 11. In the early days, I remember passing Patricroft shed and seeing lines of dead steam locos. Manchester was always the starting point for a train spotting adventure. Sadly, the end of steam came too soon as did the journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Sheffield Victoria behind an EM2. Great film. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidhodkinson5290]

Just as I remember it. Many thanks.

[@staffordstationngauge8359]

An already blue liveried class 40 running past a black 5 steam engine, quite striking.

[@joncurry4548]

Brilliant.Brought back memories. We used to travel over in the mid 60s from Belfast to Heysham and then sometimes by a steam train into Victoria Station

[@chris_A8502]

Wonderful atmospheric film. I grew up in the diesel era and remember watching Class 25s pulling vans out of the same bay platforms that you captured 70024 leaving, and with a similar excitement. Thankyou for sharing.

[@davidoswald9253]

its so wonderful to look at these historic films and see locos that I saw in those years as crossed off inb my Ian Allen spotters book from that wonderful era!!!

[@flippop101]

Magnificent piece of film with a great narrative.

[@JamesHiltonCustomModelRailways]

Wonderful video and so lovely to see the colourful footage and synced sound. Nice shooting too, arriving and buying the ticket…

[@noeldoyle4501]

Thanks for the lovely video.

[@markwilson8002]

Wow, just found this channel, the footage & personal recollections are just amazing, thanks for sharing.

[@richardclowes6123]

Lovely old footage and sincere commentary. Thanks, I enjoyed that vid.

[@alistairkewish651]

Remarkable film footage. Just caught in the nick of time. Now all just a memory. Sad to see how the station layout has shrunk.

[@VictoryWorks]

Thank you for taking the time to upload and share these old films, they really are an amazing time capsule

[@Geo46115]

Excellent production! First time I've seen the video, brought back very fond memories as at that time l was a fireman at 9D - Newton Heath. Who knows l might be on one of those engines! Roll on Part 2. Many sincere thanks for sharing your memories. George Bingham

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Geo, thanks for your comment. Newton Heath was my local shed and made many visits there. I'll have a film in the future about those visits there.

[@Geo46115]

@@GandyDancerProductions Hi Jon, Thanks for your reply. I for one will look forward to that. I transferred from Trafford Park 9E in 1966, and found 9D to be of mammoth proportions in comparison! Cheers - Geo.

[@Guitar6ty]

Awesome archive quality images from a bygone era.

[@v2factoryman]

Great footage stirring a few memories there!

[@TheDaf95xf]

Good evening. What a fantastic video 👍🏻 I was born in Urmston in 1957 so I missed most of the steam era. I can remember catching the Butlins Pwllheli behind a black 5 😁Manchester Victoria and Exchange was a go to station for me in the 70s in the. Umber 23 bus and it passed Cornbrook carriage sidings for Manchester Central station. But there was still plenty of freight with bankers 😆 How it’s all changed now 🙁 My daughter is a BTP police officer at Victoria station 😄 Hopefully you’ve got more fantastic videos of the steam years 🤩

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Stevie, I have lots more to come it's just finding the time to put it together.

[@sydneyfewster4205]

Excellent video which brings back many memories of my school days. I lived near Moston station on the Caldervale Line and from 1953 to 1961 I used the train from Moston into Manchester Victoria. to get to school in South Manchester. The trains were a mixture of locals and some long distance trains warmer and hadto Leeds pulled mostly by the Black 5s. The journey took about 10 minutes and there was a lot of opportunity for spotting. The sight of many engines getting up steam at Newton Heath was very impressive. Towards the end of the Fifties DMU's appeared which were warner and had the novelty that passengers could see where the train was going without hanging out of a window. I also remember that from some platforms at Victoria you could walk out through Exchange station. I'm very much looking forward to Part 2..

[@christopherckarkson5605]

Hello, brings back good memorys of my trainspotting days So sad to see the end of steam.

[@davidclarke6056]

Thanks for sharing. Viewed just around the corner.

[@paulukjames7799]

Those were the days I remember going down to Waterloo during the last days of steam with my camera and sometimes with my dads super 8 cine camera.

[@joedowdenwatercolour9090]

Brilliant! Thanks for posting - and filming in the first place!

[@greatsmokymtnsrailfan]

Amazing work! I may be an American railfan, but British stuff still fascinates me. Can't wait for part two!

[@johnclayden1670]

Excellent! I wish I'd been there. (We had plenty of Brits on the old GE lines).

[@swiftymorgan5064]

Excellent! A young Nick Lera would have been happy with these shots

[@warlordsquerk5338]

Thanks for the video! The narration and video reminds me of some of my old train vhs tapes. Good times

[@davidsedlickas8222]

As a child I went to Victoria to see the trains in the 60's

[@DisabledParkHopper]

Thanks for sharing your past with us!