The last of the great steam Railways. Part 10

[@Proper_Chuffed]

My favourite thing is seeing a notification pop up because I can go back in time again! Lovely once again Jon, just bloody brilliant stuff! It's such a step into the past.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

So glad you appreciate it, thanks.

[@Isochest]

@@GandyDancerProductions I appreciate this footage too!

[@tonkadave]

You’re so lucky to be able to witness the last of this bygone era. And now we are all very lucky that you documented it on film for us all to enjoy. Love it!

[@daviddearden6372]

That took me back sixty years ago, The red tractor on Linnyshaw moss was the first thing I drove as a thirteen year old potato harvesting. I may have said this before but I remember being bored in class at Wardley Grammar watching the trains going up the bank from the washeries at Sandhole Colliery. All gone now buried under the M62/ M61 interchange.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

I know how you feel.

[@levelcrossing150]

Great video.

[@SpartanA054Moose]

I absolutely love seeing your footage! Seeing your camera gear in the shot was very cool as well, made a great scene

[@ronnronn55]

Early early colour footage. Lets give thanks to your younger self for the great and thoughtful footage. And to your self now for bringing this to us. Ronn

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for that!

[@ade9685]

Brilliant video like the fact your actually revisiting those classical locations you formally filmed at.

[@everett86]

More great footage. I love the foreground plants and how you also video the surrounding activities in the countryside. Really transports you there and then.

[@johntaylor8356]

Many thanks Jonathon for posting this superb video. I will be 70 years of age this year and lived on Grosvenor Road as a young child and have waited many years since the tracks were lifted in the early 1970's for someone to hopefully have filmed a loco at the top of Walkden bank with a full load of wagons, which was my favourite spot, alongside Ashton's field and toppings Bridge at the top of Grosvenor Road. Walkden in the early 1960's really was a Childs paradise in so many ways, and the colliery and main line railways when steam trains were running played a very large part.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

I'm pleased you found my film and thanks for the contribution.

[@8gallonhat]

This is Fantastic. Part of our Northern heritage. Thank you .

[@johngeorge1294]

Same over here, so many people have no idea the number of coal trains that ran through southwestern Pennsylvania. Your video brought many great memories back again.

[@LiminalTub]

Lovely film!

[@Calebtrain]

These videos are treasures. Thank you for uploading these!

[@ausfoodgarden]

Some great footage of railway runnings not far from where and when I grew up. Lovely stuff. Thank You.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Guitar6ty]

Excellent presentation these really are archive quality films which show a bygone era.

[@MrGrunter0]

Im a driver myself, too young though to know of these days you have recorded. However, watching them, i feel as though i am standing there. I can almost smell it ( or what i imagine it to smell like ) . They are soo well documented and your narration makes it an extremely enjoyable watch and listen. Thoroughly enjoy these videos. Especially the once you fimled as a young boy. I feel like i was a kid there with you watching the never ending dance of locomotives.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

That's great, thanks for the comment.

[@nessgardenrailway3049]

Fascinating. Thank you

[@michaelpilling9659]

Hello Jon - greetings from a very cold and snowy Poland A fabulous video. Full of nostalgai with a wonderful commentary to go with it. The then and now shots were very interesting.

[@theinspector1023]

Most interesting and the best sound dubbing I've come across. Makes me sad, though.

[@laszlofyre845]

Thanks John, more good stuff for us! Top Man!

[@chriskriton4054]

At the start of the film, the yellow house is Ribble drive where i used to live. But born in December 1970, so i missed all the trains but very interesting to see. Thanks Jon.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Wow, that was a fortunate coincidence. I almost didn't include that shot in the film.

[@stephensmith799]

Wonderful choice of camera angles👍

[@hovermotion]

Your old films productions are stunning time capsules converted into digital future proof historical footage, amazing to see. You had some great kit back then not many people if any would of filmed in the areas you did so well.

[@parthobasistha6135]

Hello Mr. Jonathan. Wishing you a happy 2024. Many thanks once again for the splendid film. I am Partha basistha from India. What was the payload of the four wheel wagons and the trailing load of the full coal loaded rakes with the steam locos attached. What was the coal loading arrangements into the wagons in the colliery. Was it done through mechanised rapid loading systems or wharf loading. Many thanks once again. Looking forward to see your interesting films.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Partha, I'm pleased you enjoy these films. Let me try and answer your have questions. I do mention in the commentary that the wagons are 16 tons, that's the pay load, the tare or weigh of the wagon is 7 tons, making each wagons' total weight 23 tons. One of the trains you see in the film is 10 wagons long making a total weight of 230 tons behind the loco. If you watch one of my other films I mention the weight of some of the heavier trains on this railway at 450 tons: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raTFg5hrr7Cse5o Most of the coal loading was done by mechanised rapid loading under the washeries but sometime when there was too much production they put the coal on the grounded to be loaded later into wagons with the front loader.

[@Nyquest]

These are incredible images. I worked at Agecroft Colliery as an underground apprentice, I was part of the last ever intake of apprentices in August 1987. I was born in 1971. However the fact you had the foresight to document this with your super 8 is one thing, the camera operation and framing is also brilliant. This is highly unusual even today with a phone being capable.

[@askburlefot2645]

WOW your small films are fantastic!!! Love to see!!!

[@alanbowers6554]

Another great installment of the Astley series. I model the NCB in the 1960s in 4mm scale, and recently rewatched the other videos you've uploaded. They are a great inspiration, and one of the main reasons I became interested in coal board operations in the first place. I was concerned you had finished uploading your footage of the Astley Network as the most recent post showed an upload date of two years ago, happy to see I was wrong! May I ask, how many more parts are you planning?

[@GandyDancerProductions]

I've probably got 3 more film in my archives about Astley Green. I'd love to see some of your photo of your layout when you have a chance. My emails in the about session on my channel page or DM me on facebook facebook.com/jonathan.guilbert.7/

[@simonf8902]

Steams beginning and end was in the coalfields

[@michaelmiller641]

That's how to do a video in KZbin! Wow!

[@lifestyleunleashed8046]

Thank you so much for sharing. This is essential industrial social history

[@davebutterworth7414]

Absolutely fabulous and fascinating coverage yet again !! Love it ❤

[@chrispritchard3775]

Thankyou Johnathan i remember seeing the engines coming out from under the bunkers on the washery at astley green (im sure a lot more people do to ) being a little kid it did make me jump however it was good training for planklane for where i lived from 1966 to 1970 i still remember one of the engine men waving and tooting the whistle it was harold Gillibrand i recognised him from some photos

[@GandyDancerProductions]

I knew Harold quite well too. He'd alway invite my up into the cab when I visited.

[@blackfivemr]

Fascinating series thank you so much for sharing it. I live in Kearsley and I love researching the old railway, do you have any footage of the exchange sidings at Linnyshaw and the power station? Always wondered why the bridge over the M61 is double track?

[@GandyDancerProductions]

They built the bridge only shortly before the line closed. As far as I know the steamer nearer went over it. BR diesels use to come up from the Manchester/Bolton line and take the wagons the short distance to the exchange siding for the power station.

[@mick35w]

Another great video, thank you for sharing

[@floor993]

what a beautiful image of a “different” time, filmed with sound.👌🏻

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@warrior3456_]

where was I going?

[@kenh3344]

A very interesting and enjoyable film . Thank you for sharing it . 😊

[@taloire43]

Thanks

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution.

[@terrybrazier1869]

Excellent, some great camera angles and loved the sound of the Lambretta . Upsetting to see what we have lost. Good work.

[@clivegeary4587]

I am really enjoying these films about the UK's industrial railways.

[@marknestbox]

Second Side Up FM was at Radley when this was filmed, and I, along with other brats, was why the station was pulled down. Truth. I am still a brat at heart. Thank you.

[@marianthomas7910]

Lovely video. I'm sure this is the train we used to wave to from our back garden on Windmill Road, Walkden.

[@jeffreyknoop2450]

Please keep these coming. I thoroughly enjoy these immensely.

[@michaelbritton9778]

And they call this progress.

[@douglasmcdermott2830]

Jonathan were you ever able to get inside the winding enginehouse at Astley Greene? They had a massive Yates & Thom steam winding engine which is preserved and runs on air now.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Yes I did and met the man who was responsible for driving it. Only took still thought.

[@Richardsrailway]

😢

[@IanHenderson-g9i]

Great video that captured a world that has now all gone. Well done for the foresight of capturing it, filming it excellently, the footage surviving with such clarity and finally for posting it so we can all enjoy it.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks, originally I only shot it for myself. There was no way for getting it broadcast to a wider audience till now.

[@steamengineerPMW]

Brilliant film clips. I remember seeing an Austerity propelling a raft of 16T mineral wagons at Snowdown Colliery in Kent. The valves must have been spot on as it barked loudly accompanying the engines very steady progress.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

I enjoyed a day at Snowdown Colliery I think in 1982 and took lots of still but unfortunately no movies.

[@Mr_b_yorkshire_farmer]

Fantastic

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

Hello Jon, did you ever go to Bold Coillery in St Helens any time in 1980-'84? A wonderfully painted green austerity named Joseph worked there. Now named Sapper.

[@stuartbroome1258]

I remember those two locos at Bickershaw Colliery in the early 70's, and took cine film. Pity i cant get it to digital. Happy memories of those locos being thrashed, they really earned their keep.

[@amazoniaamazonia7225]

Interesting film, those industrial locos were quite efficient, thanks for sharing.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

And the coal was free.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

What a good job you managed to film that little coal train. Today, there is no clue to its existence. Snippets of film like this are absolutely priceless . Thank you for showing us.

[@ryanwiese5280]

Amazing footage!

[@stevenbrindley2469]

Fantastic, great to see your films again. I just about remember steam at Bickershaw, also had a few trips to Kearsley power station to see the end of their electric locomotives.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

I did miss both of those as I had left Manchester by that time.

[@ramblingrob4693]

Brilliant filming

[@paulashley2707]

Thanks, absolutely brilliant video - enjoyed every second of it!

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the contribution.

[@wideyxyz2271]

Brilliant as always.

[@IJHougfhton]

Love the level crossing,kids playing in a different era

[@ramblingrob4693]

They didn't get in the way of trains not like now

[@chrisgreatrex5752]

Love your filming so good, sad in a way it’s all long gone . Great to see how it was though.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@briansmyth718]

Beautifully filmed footage, of a place, and time, that was just about to come to an end. From a railway enthusiast perspective, it's great to see these industrial railways, and how they were operated at the end of their working life, but as a document of local history, and these films are kind of priceless. The space on the far outskirts of towns beginning to be urbanized, and how it actually was like, deserves to be remembered. In these films the old and the new share the place, but not for long. Well done Jonathan.

[@davidjohnson8175]

Definitely worth £2 all your videos and so well narrated. Always looking forward to your next videos

[@stuyates76]

I live in Little Hulton/Walkden and did a lot about the local railways on history at school. Always fascinates me at what once was. Would love to go back in time and see this stuff for myself. Great series of videos.

[@daystatesniper01]

Superb video and good shots of a giesl ejector austerity working hard

[@rustynailer8655]

Fantastic thank you for being there and filming this.

[@pilotbug6100]

Greetings from the united states love the footage

[@bigblue1402]

Who needs a tardiz when we have your video's to see. Yet another cracking video Johnathan

[@CODHELPUS]

Wonderful days..thanks for posting.

[@walterwright836]

Loved this brilliant film

[@ramblingrob4693]

Brand new housing estate instead

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Everywhere.

[@davidjohnson8175]

Thanks

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution. Much appreciated.

[@jjskn93]

Thanks

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution.

[@clivegeary4587]

Thanks

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution.

[@teadrinker99]

Thanks!

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution.

[@travis5376]

Thanks!

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution. I'm so glad you enjoyed the film.

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

Those seem sharper pictures than your earlier 1967 ones. Had you upgraded your camera or swtiched to 16mm?

[@GandyDancerProductions]

It's the same camera I switch from Ilford Colorcine, which was the cheapest to Kodachrome 8mm.

[@colinedward3147]

Great video very interesting.

[@msampson1949]

thanks so much for your time, cant believe we took all this for granted back then, great you had the foresight to film this, as so good to remember what it was like. thanks again

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@frankgradwell4935]

Good to see you posting again - are you resident over here again??? Let's hope Harry isn't too long returning to action!

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Yep, I've returned to here to run my little steamers in my retirement.

[@davidmolteno6982]

Thanks Jon brilliant work again - always enjoy your videos

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution.

[@perrysimpson7466]

Another Gem, Jon

[@mikeperry4871]

Are any of engine's still running or preserved

[@wideyxyz2271]

Yes!

[@GandyDancerProductions]

@@wideyxyz2271 Stanley didn't make it but he others did.

[@davebutterworth7414]

Thanks

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution.

[@juliancripps1580]

Thanks

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for the contribution.

[@wyatt7648]

😘 promo sm

[@Ass_Burgers_Syndrome]

Just got recommended this video after watching another train video. Now I'm gonna go watch these rest of these!! I love seeing the 'then vs now' comparisons.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Fantastic video 👍🏻 I was in a children’s home on Trafford drive and remember them Lifting that line on Gorsvenor Rd 🥲