The Last Steam Railway - 'The Day Stan Left'

In 1971 I found the last steam railway working for industry in Britain and made a film about the crew who worked on it. The railway served Yates Duxbury and Sons Paper Mill in a village called Heap Bridge just north of Manchester.

[@mylesneilrobinson1675]

fantastic to see this film about Yates duxbury shunt engine, as I knew the two people on the footplate ,they are Maurice mills the guy changing the points , and Jimmy outram , I worked with them when I was a fireman for B R at Buckley wells sheds bury , brought back great memories thank you . NEIL

[@thomasthepaintrain8880]

I am so sad that I was born 50 years after I could see steam engines regularly on the main lines

[@pilotbug6100]

@@thomasthepaintrain8880 i was born like more time than that

[@mikeschillinger4427]

I'd love to see this film in it's entirety. It shows just how much things have changed, not necessarily for the better either.

[@kishascape]

Yeah that's called Faddism. Or "progress" for the sake of "progress" as Dumbledore remarked about Umbridge.

[@mikeschillinger4427]

@@kishascape ...and remember what happened to her!

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Not for the better? You'd prefer all that pollution spewing out into the air?

[@mmouse1886]

@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 You'd butcher a country's industry and millions of people's livelihoods over 'pollution'?

[@peterpan1435]

Your filmmaking talent has transformed the mundane into an affecting few minutes of nostalgia, though more than that; you took me right there with Stan.

[@gwyneddboom2579]

It made me nostalgic and I was born well over 30 years after this was made!

[@kishascape]

Yes I wish I could chronicle and documentary so thorough and well to preserve things.

[@ryanhodson8193]

it's nostalgia but for someone as young as me it's just an imagination and a fascination of how the world has healed from the industry where a open bit of woods was once building and winding gear and tracks

[@greaster54]

Thanks for sharing! I'd love to see the whole of it.

[@garryferrington811]

What a capture from a vanished world. In fact, even shooting 16mm film is a vanished world!

[@cooperised]

The Algorithm has just led me to this film and it's wonderful! I'd love to see the whole thing. Fascinating stuff and beautifully shot.

[@daviddevauden6329]

What a wonder little film. As a lad in the 1950's I used to watch a similar engine run from Devonport north yard to the south yard, about 4 miles. One can still the where the track was in Google maps.

[@thomasshaftoe461]

The stream train who worked on this railway was a really useful engine.

[@mikekean8344]

Indeed. The Fat Controller is most pleased.🙂

[@stup1299]

Thankyou so much for transferring these films to digital. It is a great pleasure to see Lancashire as I remember it from my youth.

[@Nico.Atkins]

Brilliant footage, I've worked on this locomotive in preservation and this is the first film I've seen of it in proper action. She's out of ticket now unfortunately, but one day she'll steaming again. I would love to she some more footage of her working.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

The YD Paper's engines were in such a bad state of repair when they close the railway in 1974, I was surprised they were preserved. I take my hat off to you sir, for the work you put in, to keep these beauties running.

[@mercury7590]

Waitwaitwait... she's preserved?!

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

I’m relieved to hear the engine is preserved, it just wouldn’t be right otherwise.

[@eettwward]

What railway is she on?

[@thurstablelane7567]

The Whitwell & Reepham Railway in Norfolk - We have 2 Facebook pages - Whitwell & Reepham station and The Friends of Whitwell & Reepham - We are currently overhauling a Robert Stevenson & Hawthorne called Agecroft No.3 - Annie, the loco filmed here is next on the list to be overhauled.

[@RB-yq7qv]

It's amazing film of time forgotten. Things were slower and work was hard but there was a real achievement when the job was done.

[@ianhooper6830]

fabulous film full of atmosphere something missing from railways today, almost as if they have been "sanitised".

[@mercury7590]

I agree. There’s almost no friendliness in them here in the US, with the exception of some short lines. It’s all business these days.

[@saltspringrailway3683]

Sanitised, like everything else.

[@domahern1046]

It's the backgrounds of industrial sidings, mills, collieries and other industries which fed into the railways which have mostly disappeared or moved to road linked industrial estates. The present day preservationists are doing a great job. I am grateful for their effort against all odds.

[@adelestevens]

I remember the last days too. I used to go watch the trains work to the exchange sidings when I was about 12 years old. About 1990 I worked for a short time at Tetrosyl at Heap Bridge (in what was left of the Yates and Duxbury factory ) and some of the rails were still in the yard and the remains of a wagon.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Adelle, thanks for your memoirs. I was back there in May and looking around the waste recycling business that now occupies No. 2 mill and there's still some track left in the concrete where 45 years ago I film the little steam engine shunting over it.

[@dell177]

I'm on the other side of the pond just south of Boston. I remember walking the tracks and seeing coal on the roadbed from the steam engines that used to power the old steam engines from the 30's and 40's, one of my aunts lived about 1/4 mile away from that line. The old colony commuter rail went to diesel for a short while before shutting down for good in the late 50's, but the line saw occasional use for freight. In the early 60's they extended the subway line on that old roadbed and that's how i got to work for my working life , it was all above ground till you went uder before Andrew Sq.

[@yassermasood3423]

What a treat. In Bristol industrial museum they still run the steam train and you can still ride them. They are the Bristol harbour train for cargo. Their is also a steam crane.

[@stevejordan1968]

This would make a wonderfully evocative model railway micro layout

[@ajaxengineco]

With one of the Hatton's Andrew Barclays. Now I think on it, it would look really good.

[@danwright2949]

When he said Bury and Heywood a name of a heritage railway popped up in my head. East Lancashire Railway. I work on the Railway and I joined a group called “Bury Standard 4 Group”. I’ve been working on the railway for 5 years now and I’m loving it. It was named the Bury Standard 4 Group because the group saved an Standard 4 4MT 2-6-4T, no. 80097. She returned to steam in late 2018 and it was a 33 year project. She was sent to Dai Woodhams Barry Scrapyard, South Wales, Barry where she was stored waiting to be scrapped until she was saved on 23rd May 1985. She was stuck on the M6 because the truck had a flat tire so that’s sorted out now. When she visited the railway she was stored at Castlecroft yard where she was dismantled until we decided to have our own little workshop. The workshop took one year to build and was open on 1991 and store 80097 there. Two years later early 1987 we went to the Strathpsey Railway to collect another steam locomotive that the railway put up for sale and we bought it no problem. It’s a Ivatt 2 2MT 2-6-0, no. 46428 and she’s currently undergoing restoration right now.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Dan, great to hear from you and what steamers you're looking after in Bury. Of course you know the Heywood line passes the sight of the junction with the Yates Duxbury line.

[@longkeithdiablo8812]

I was born in 74 so missed all the steam trains 😔 Fantastic film 👍

[@TheSynthnut]

Beautifully shot on 16mm, looks wonderful, what a gem to have cought. This is a true historical document. Would certainly love to see the whole film.

[@alextyson5542]

The engine is an 0-4-0ST, built by Andrew Barclay in 1904, works Number 945. Its known as Annie in preservation, although i dont know if it was then.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Alex, no it didn't have a name at YD Papers. It got named Annie at the Lavender Line. One of the Pecketts here was was named Annie and the other Peckett named May.

[@thurstablelane7567]

Unless I am wrong, I also volunteer on the same railway as Nico A, and we thought that the current Annie was named as such when the peckett was taken out of traffic an sadly scrapped.

[@austinmetro6317]

Great video. I can't believe that i was 6 when this was filmed.

[@stephensmith799]

It really surprised me how much backslash there was in the motion and bearings of the last locos to steam at Snowdown Colliery in Kent in the early 1980s. But that was one happy open day. Thankyou to George Ovenden who arranged it and who may no longer be with us and to the crew. They joked 'There's 40 years of coal beneath our feet but it will take us 400 to dig it out!' The other industrial steam treasury I was fortunate to see was 'Winston Churchil' a four coupled saddletank at Mostyn Iron Works in Flintshire, after closure. It looked a treat, obviously cared for.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Stephen, I visited Snowden Colliery in 1982 and the locos seemed in good condition and well maintained then. Thanks for subscribing.

[@stephensmith799]

I would not want to say they couldn't do their job. They were pulling a long raft of 16T mineral waggons easily on very thin fires with coals barely covering the grate, meaning there was little wasteful blowing-off in between runs up the yard. It was surprising how few tools were used on them, mostly very heafty plein hammers and a fabulous collection of spanners plus a welding set, I think. The Avonside in use which I think was Saint Thomas did have a bang in the motion bearings. I think that very tight locos (fitted up with close tollerances) might struggle with uneven tracks. No question that they were getting the job done though. I offered one of the driver-firemen to do his job for nothing for three months if he would show me how. He smiled politely but thought I was off my head! Did you notice the looks on the faces of passengers on passing BR trains. They looked gob-smacked to see two locos blasting away double headed. That day is one of my happiest memories. The other thing was how nice the steam brakes were to use. With a steam loco it is so obvious what is going on that it can all be 'felt'. In a car everything is much more remote except the clutch. I think your video is wonderful. Why play computer games if you are lucky enough to drive a full size steam loco - including the buisiness of stopping a train?! (Mind you I have had this pleasure only twice.)

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Thanks for your comments Stephen. We were both fortunate enough to see and experience these steamers doing their daily work.

[@paulinegeorge289]

I loved it and would like to see more.

[@nickwass9700]

Really good, you've beautifully captured a slice of how things were 50 years ago. Of course the steam engine is fascinating but so much of the industry and the people are too. I love the short shot of the fellow checking something, with his immaculate shiny shoes!

[@gavinedinburgh]

You just shocked me by pointing out it was fifty years ago....Oh dear!

[@BJHolloway1]

You can always tell a professional - bring on a lot more please.

[@askburlefot2645]

This is lovely. Thanks for sharing!

[@john57sharp]

I’ve been enjoying watching your videos this morning, thanks for sharing them.

[@stevemc8742]

Hello, first time I have seen any film footage of the mill system at Heap Bridge, very interesting. Lived quite close by for a number of years, and have seen some old photos but nothing more, really nice to see the film, Thanks, Steve.

[@zebedeezebedee]

You are highly talented, you let the subject shine through, few are capable of that !

[@James-gf9jl]

Only just seen this. Atmospheric and beautifully shot.

[@Steven_Rowe]

that is amazing footage and something so delightful. I think Fred Dibnah will be supping on his Guinness and smiling down at you from top mill chimney

[@gregoirewolff]

Wonderful! A fabulous mix of Ivo Peters and John Stilgoe!

[@davidfarron4047]

Love the nostalgic sound of the engine it has its own signature tune. Lovely film thank you.

[@michaelpilling9659]

I loved this short film very much. I'll accept your invitation and would love to see more please. The last steam railway in private ownership working in the UK. What a shame Stan has now disappeared. I suppose cut up for scrap. Your film making skills has brought a few moments of sheer delight to me. Thanks a million.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Fortunately none of the engines when to scrap all were preserved.

[@petergarrett9185]

Fantastic video !! thank you for putting it up.

[@ErikLundholm1]

Thanks for your dedication.

[@stuartsviews1565]

Ok, what a pleasant and unexpected surprise to see a glimpse of the Lancashire of my childhood. Times change, but it still seems strange that all the centries old industries of Bury vanished in a twenty year period.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Stuart, you are right about how quickly this all when away. I was fortunate in catching the end of it.

[@stuartsviews1565]

@@GandyDancerProductions Thank you very much for doing so. It does sometimes seem surreal, when watching films like yours, to remember that this was real life, and that I lived it. People like you are fantastic, as with progression it is so easy to forget the missing building or closed factory, and that is such a rich piece of history. Your capturing of it becomes a time capsule of reference against the inevitable erasure of memory by time.

[@Wotan2900]

What a fantastic record. Thank you for publishing it.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thank you so much for sharing.

[@thomasthetankman111]

I recently shot a commercial on 16mm focussing on the sound so it was all synced up. I'm intrigued by how you recorded the audio for this back in the '70s. I've just started a small film like this on 8mm. But just want to say this was a wonderful video and gutted I have only seen this now! Loved how you also talked about the area today. Subscribing!

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Thomas, thanks for you comment. The sound was recorded on a 1/4" tape recorder sometimes in sync sometimes wild with the camera, transferred onto full coat 16mm mag sound and edited on a Steebeck. You are lucky to have the opportunity to shoot 16mm. I did my last 16mm shoot in 2013 and i thought I was the last guy using that format for TV.

[@thomasthetankman111]

@@GandyDancerProductions I find that really fascinating. To do that yourself with your narrations had a very nice mix. It was a part of my university module for a Kodak competition for the penguin chocolate bars. Was a lot of fun and hope an opportunity like that may come again someday. Once again loved the video and look forward to watching your back catalog! - James.

[@jamesporter8830]

A superb piece of film

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Great new video .Thanks very much.

[@pjmcc1uk]

My Grandad worked in those mills. That was interesting to see. I'm from Heywood. Would love to see more

[@mikego18753]

Great stuff. Thanks.

[@mikebeeton4982]

Well done sir, I'm so glad you filmed this, thanks for a glimpse into the past.

[@saltleywsc]

superb film thanks for sharing !

[@emlyngriffiths4843]

Absolutely superb ! More of this please !

[@ttm2609]

Thank you for posting your film. Fascinating absolutely, you can even hear the little engine having a guts full. Lovely, please post more of your work

[@PaulfromChicago]

That was fantastic. Thank you for making and sharing.

[@jstadnicki]

love your films - beautifully shot

[@nickwright5531]

What a lovely film. Very evocative.

[@maskedavenger2578]

Eh by gum old lad this brings back memories of proper steam engines & industry .

[@cknop]

Great Video! Thank you!

[@doubleboost]

Very nicely done

[@pethuman4557]

A wonderful film. Please upload more

[@user-es3hq5zk4e]

awesome work!

[@BrianSeaman]

Great reminiscing about this period, and to capture footage from that time. Thanks for being there!

[@mustangj0hn]

Films like this are utterly priceless, thanks for sharing.

[@sausagefingers2885]

Superb! Thanks for taking the time to make and share it with us!!

[@foxwolf973]

What an excellent film!

[@nickevans1183]

Absolutely fantastic! Thankyou so much for sharing! A piece of history from my home town that I never knew

[@nitramretep]

GREAT VIDEO, THANK YOU!

[@paradisepipeco]

Thank you for sharing a bit of the best in the fine manner that you have. Time only moves one way, and it is good to remember the past that shall not return. Kudos.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Very true.

[@CorbsTheGreat]

Another brilliant video, so well produced and very high quality. Would love to see more!

[@davecooper5]

Excellent.. I would love to see more..

[@vancepomerening4794]

Would love to see more. Thank you.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

Amazing, I'm a volunteer on the ELR but never realised that a railway branched off from what was the mainline then, just above or across the M66 motorway. And driving along Bury new road and Heap Brow I even haven't noticed the abutments and parapets of the railway bridges. Seeing these old films always learn me something new about the railway history of this region, and that this branch was the last private steam railway is quite a feat. Only NCB steam workings survived longer?

[@georgegunn9387]

Well done for recording this railway...like they say "once it's gone it's gone". Thanks for sharing.

[@markgriffiths6638]

Nice film love industrial railways and small engines. Glad you made the recording.

[@travisolson9190]

Excellent video!

[@richardwills-woodward5340]

I would LOVE to see more of this.

[@eggchipsnbeans]

That's a lovely little film; the colours and clarity are delightful

[@jeremycorke3355]

Wonderful footage and I agree, the ambiance is as intriguing as it is lovely. I'd definitely be interested in seeing more.

[@gregpotter6957]

Wonderful short film, so atmospheric, thank you so much for posting 😊

[@ralfedge203]

Fantastic footage and so enriched by the commentary. Many thanks

[@andrewirobinson]

More please, good films.

[@inspctrgadget1970]

Please continue sharing, I have been enjoying your videos.

[@gavinedinburgh]

Excellent post - so much lost since then....

[@eddiereece1827]

Really enjoyed this, great commentary, great footage and lovley little tank engine

[@nimaforoughi7266]

The quality of the sound surprised me. It was a very pleasant watch and you caught a fine scene.

[@ljts7587]

Thanks for this,,,,,,I’ve been past this way a few times and never knew all this was once there. So thank you as I do enjoy finding things like this out and I fully appreciate people like your self putting useful and fascinating clips like these up.

[@marcusdoling7698]

It's wonderful to see these old 16mm films have been kept for posterity. Many thanks for sharing.

[@BlackAndDeckerBoy]

Really great footage. I passed this mill on way to school in bury after it closed so amazing to see what it used to be like

[@stevbrkr]

This is brilliant.

[@PeterT1981]

I truly hope to see more. Brilliant shots.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Peter, I'm in the process of moving house but once I get settled again and my computer up and running again there will be a lot more film.

[@jackbush6758]

Thanks for sharing, this brings back a few memories of Heap bridge area. We used to go to the vet just off the road, Mr Nutt, when we lived in Heywood.

[@michaelsmith3131]

Great film would love to see more of your films. Mike

[@msampson1949]

these are great watch them over and over hope there is more reminds me of a railway that ran between the factories and how much has changed thanks, great that you had the foresight to record them when you were young don't think any of us would have thought of doing that

[@TheBeatles15]

Brilliant! For those like myself who weren't around in those days, these films are so important, thank you for showing them to us. And thanks to the young man who filmed them too (your good self) 👍

[@owenmeschter9888]

This is beautiful and brilliant! Yes yes yes, I would love to see more! I just love these stories of these little engines and railways that were around at the end of steam in Britain, and the engines that survived.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi Owen, I'm pleased you enjoyed the film. Stay tuned there's more to come. All three locos survived in preservation, from this railway though I don't think any are running at the moment.

[@davidclarke6056]

Astonishing amount of slack between the crosshead and the slipper on that locomotive.

[@GandyDancerProductions]

Hi David, well spotted. These losos were very rundown.

[@stanchandler5393]

Fascinating. Thanks for loading. At east there is still steam to Heywood [ELR]

[@richardwood6376]

What a wonderful film about wonders past. Thank you. Richard

[@tominnis8353]

What a frantic piece of film archive - expertly presented. Brings back memories of my own visits to industrial lines in the 60s and 70s. What wonderful times they were. Thank you very much!

[@Lechicharoi888]

Excellent Footage! I'd definitely love to see more

[@77thTrombone]

Especially if the crew describing the operations. That photographer was a hairy beast. I'm surprised they permitted him on the premises.

[@TIMMEH19991]

Excellent bit of film of a time you think was only a short while ago, then it sinks in it was nearly 50 years..... Thanks so much for uploading this.

[@BRANDY60rocks]

Magnificent footage a true gem would love to see more please .Like the engine men talking just adds so much really finishes it off .

[@bigdmac33]

Absolutely - more film please!! God, how I would have loved driving that engine.

[@UTubeThePatient]

Some really good shots, capturing the working of a factory line including the footplate. Impressive.

[@Nansen1981]

Brilliant, yes please, let’s see more!