Two Troublesome Tunnels - The Whitby to Loftus Railway Chapter 2

[@sandscratcherbri5574]

brilliant cant wait for next episode

[@Carolb66]

Hi Ant, when this railway was still in use I think it had to be one of the most scenic railways in the world. What a treat the passengers must have had. You picked a glorious day for filming Ant. Just stunning. ❤😊👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much carol.. I'm going back later this month so it'll probably look a little different

[@Carolb66]

@@TrekkingExploration yes it will but hope you have a good day & the weather kind so you can get the drone up. 🥰

[@flakboss1712]

Love your video mate. I discovered this line while visiting Staithes about 20 years ago. Can't wait to see the next chapter. 😅

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

another excellent video 👍what a lovely station and kept in good condition nice to see the tunnels what a lovely view the passengers had from the train shame it closed in 1958 it would have been a lovely ride what was the reason why it closed

[@paulmartin4971]

@@barrythedieselelectricstea5217 probably down to beeching.

[@ste.h9825]

Yes please,can we see more of this fabulous route.Thanks Ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Certainly I'll be going back very soon 🔜

[@stephensaines7100]

Ditto!

[@cyberdonblue4413]

Excellent video as always Ant. As a retired train driver I always think there's something very sad about a disused railway, especially one that crosses such beautiful landscapes as this railway did. The music you have used to accompany your whole journey across this route so far has been so beautiful and almost sympathetic to the loss of this treasure to the public at large. It brings a lump to my throat, part joy part sadness and quite a yearning for some of those days gone by.

[@denniseichert2323]

Thankyou so much Ant for providing us a window to an epoch in time that lives now only in our dreams...please carry on along this rail corridor if that is okay. i for one greatly appreciate and value what you are doing Sir - All the very best, Dennis; Stratford, New Zealand.😀

[@gordoncarass2360]

A really nice video! This line is of great significance to my family. My great grandfather worked on the construction of the line and lost a leg in an accident in Sandsend tunnel during blasting operations. I think he was around twenty one years old at the time and went to work as station staff at various stations around North Yorkshire ending up as Station Master at Sandsend till his retirement with my Grandmother working as booking clerk. It was at Sandsend station house Dad and most of his siblings were born. He, and two of his brothers went on to be drivers and frequently worked trains on this line with one of the bothers being the driver of the train that took the camping coaches from various stations before the tracks were lifted. I too have some distant memories of traveling on this line, I was five when it closed in 1958 but still remember.

[@stuart3383]

Another enjoyable evening thanks Ant.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Stuart

[@yorkie2789]

Great video Ant. Love the sunshine, roll on summer!

[@rodsmith3911]

Nice video Ant. Thanks for the look at a piece of railway that I have always enjoyed both as a railway and as a pleasant walk on a nice day. I walked both the tunnels a few times some years after closure and they've really deteriorated since then. I'm not too good on my feet nowadays but ride my bike as much as I can, so this route is no longer on my radar. The alum quarry at around 4 minutes on the video is known locally by the mountain bike fraternity as "The Moon"! It's very much like the moon in its surface and a good place to practice MTB skills! It's sad that the trackbed between the tunnels is now so overgrown as I was probably the nicest bit of the Walk as it's so far from roads and was always a very quiet place to sit and watch the sea and the wildlife. Brings back many pleasant memories, thanks for the video, and keep up the great work!

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Excellent video enjoyed watching it. I think we have lost some railways with beautiful scenery.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you and I agree 🙂

[@Mark_T]

Beautiful Britain - and an area that I've never seen before.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching mark

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you the walking tour video, Ant. I am physically unable to go back to the United Kingdom, so these walking tours fill the gap. Cheers mate. 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

[@sidewaysaction9983]

Outstanding work as always.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind thank you ☺️

[@deanbrown29]

The drone shots was perfect for getting the route of railway on unaccessible bits, definitely need to see more of this line! Don't wanna give you a big head so it can't fit into tunnels anymore but you should be proud of yourself! Truly amazing production.

[@chrismccartney8668]

What a scenic route..

[@TrekkingExploration]

It was ☺️

[@fastmail55]

Amazing how much nature reclaims railway lines. I live in the high desert of the American inter mountain west. Even here where it is dry and vegetation is sparse, the old roadbeds often disappear after a few decades. As always, beautifully done indeed!

[@Jimyjames73]

Very Good Ant - Well done for finding the original Photos & Footage of the Railway!!! 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you

[@jefflaufer3205]

Lovely place. Not many left on the planet have such history and are still so stunningly beautiful.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching Jeff

[@daverob007]

Stunning video work Ant thanks so much for the great videos 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Dave thank you

[@andrewmizon2339]

Great video. It's sad we've lost these railways, very nostalgic and informative.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you Andrew for watching 😊

[@andrewmizon2339]

Definitely carry on with the rest of line ! 😊

[@fill7t1]

I ve been looking forward to this!, some excellent shots Ant!. Your choice in music is epic! Oh to step back in time😊. More from the onward journey please!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much indeed I'll be going back later this month 😁

[@jontaylor1652]

Brilliant stuff again, this is the go to channel for this kind of stuff guys. Without a doubt!

[@TrekkingExploration]

So very kind Jon thank you 😊

[@lesbendo6363]

Great video. Could you imagine battery electric two car carriages going up and down the coast today? What a sight it would be. Sadly everything seems to revolve around economic and profit! 🇨🇦

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Everything always has revovec around making money. This line never made money in the days pre-nwaionalisation, when the railways were privately owned commercial companies. The LNER was looking at closing all the lines into Whitby in the 1930s as they were considered an economic drain.

[@charlieforbes5460]

I spent many a great weekend at Kettleness station as both a Cub and Scout from the late 1960s. It was all cinders between the tracks in those days. The wall that you said was another building was the old coal drops, there used to be a lot more of it left. We used to climb all over it, wouldn't be allowed these days! Thanks for the reminding me of great times.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'm pleased that it's returned some happy memories for you. Thanks very much for watching

[@rikkilamb]

I stayed there in 1997 when with the cubs scouts

[@simonballard6413]

I have looked forward to this video, as I remember those tunnels so well! Please do carry on northwards, past Boulby and through Grinkle tunnel and Easington! Perfect weather for you and the usual marvellous music. I agree with you - such a pity that the tunnels cannot become a walking/cycle route (like the present argument over Queensbury). Thanks so much, Ant.

[@jomillie12]

What a tourist attraction that line would be today, absolutely beautiful part of the world.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It really is. Thank you for watching 🙂

[@KarenG.-qs7wc]

Great video. 🙂 Wonderful drone filming.👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much for watching Karen

[@stephenharper9961]

Brilliant video as always, love seeing kettleness station still in life and as beautiful as ever, this was one of god's railways, truly blessed to have been able to see

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'm glad you enjoyed it Stephen thank you

[@stephenharper9961]

Always mate you truly bring things back to life, I always look forward to your videos

[@trainingday391]

I've walked this very route many times and usually follow the Cleveland Way to Runswick Bay because of all the private land/no access signs to continue on the old track bed near Kettleness station. However, I discovered access at the Runswick Bay end off Ellerby Lane and decided to give it a go until I saw signs preventing otherwise - but I didn't see any and ended up at Kettleness again with no issues. It's an interesting walk but the route was very cut up in places because it's primarily a farm track. At no point did I feel like I shouldn't be there and, like I said, no signs saying otherwise... Give it a go!

[@nigelbarker4135]

You’d think you had dozens of production team workers such is the very high quality of your magnificent blogs. Well done ant👍👏👏👏

[@fhwolthuis]

Beautiful landscape with all the green and the cliffs ❤

[@2010ditta]

Very well done, thank you. Love the way you find all the archive footage and stick it in with the today shots. Great stuff.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Much appreciated I'm so glad you are enjoying them

[@mattlund8170]

Another good episode of this walk, route, yes please do carry on i personally dont know about this line and your doing it credit thanks

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much I'll be back to continue this soon

[@brucemacklin2969]

That was an amazing walk keep it up. BJ

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Bruce

[@llareggib]

Great film , looking forward to watching more. Always thought it was a shame that abandoned railways were not retained as public rights of way.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much. I believe some of this route going forward is inaccessible although I'll try my best

[@phillipthebigj8971]

Ant, smashing it again on these railway walks, thanks very much for sharing it and what a day to blue sky’s every where just makes it perfect, great archive footage to coupled with your drone shots just makes it a complete experience. Please do the rest of the walk so we can see if we can find any relics left behind thanks again👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Brilliant Phil thank you. I aim to go back later this month to do the rest 🤠

[@phillipthebigj8971]

you did make me laugh when you was walking up the trail to the wooden steps from sandsend tunnel, it sounded like you just began to cus the climb up as you cropped the clip😭👍

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Great video of this amazing line. Under sunny skies it must have been idylic, but you wonder what it may have been like in snowy weather. The tunnels look for the most part, to be in serviceable condition and probably not be too expensive to open-up for hikers and cyclists - though maybe there isn't sufficient demand to justify the effort and expense? But, whatever, please exolore more of this line.

[@kieranbarber7079]

Excellent video and pictures and looks like you had the good weather too without sea frets!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Kieran thank you

[@concernedcitizen5826]

Thank you for another great video. Must have been great to ride along this line behind a steam loco!

[@cliveballiston7471]

Love to see you walk the continuation of this line

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'll be back soon Clive ☺️

[@bobingram6912]

Thanks for walking this route Ant, absolutely stunning scenery with your usual background history👍👍👍👍 You carry on walking if its as good as this one😂😂😂😂

[@TrekkingExploration]

Glad you enjoyed it Bob I'll be going back very soon

[@RalphFreeman-ok5of]

You have got to admire the Victorian can do attitude....a hole, we will build an embankment or a viaduct. A hill, we will build a cutting or a tunnel. No such thing as can't?😊

[@paulspickernell6875]

Great stream Ant, I would like to see you go further on when you can, thanks for efforts very much appreciated.

[@michaelmiller641]

Wow! Yes, please continue, Ant. What a glorious video! Thanks, i did enjoy that!

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Michael thank you

[@guyroebuck8510]

I want the cinder track to be contiinued further north so protecting the route for the future.

[@philbattersby9321]

Really informative, great videography and archive photos as usuall Ant , keep up the excellent work 👍

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Phil I'll be back to continue this soon

[@steveswales5886]

Hi Ant - I maintain the grounds at Kettleness Station and manage the site. It’s in use most weekends by Scout Association members from far and wide. Excellent video.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thank you very much I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I'll be back up to kettleness next month 😊

[@thePollyDolly]

Yes please! Would love to see you carry on to Staithes and join up with what is now the Boulby line. We can see/hear those trains at home! Lots of super old viaducts and historical stuff left on that route, and on into Guisborough too. Your films are wonderful, thank you!

[@Roamingthecotswolds]

Fantastic footage and beautifully filmed. Had to subscribe so I don't ever miss new videos.

[@marybradley7791]

yes please continue the jouney, very enjoyable to watch.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'll definitely be going back very soon

[@David-tt2mt]

Born two years after the closure, so never had the excitement and enjoyment of travelling along this line. Like many of the axed routes around Britain, such a sad loss.

[@maestromanification]

Great video Ant, must be 30 years since i did the tunnels, cant believe how the vegetation has grown up around Sandsend south portal. I didn't realise 3 shafts were added later. I knew blokes that worked the line and said it was absolute hell! A few said the only way you could tell if you were moving or slipping backwards was to put shovel out of the cab to the wall. Read a book that said before the tunnel opened but after the viaducts were built serious considerations were given to abandoning it in favor of an inland route from west cliff to Hinderwell There is footage from inside the adits on a bloke called fat egg media channel Really enjoying this series

[@maestromanification]

Can't find it on KZbin but he goes down one adit and comes out on the cliff Cheers Russ

[@StuBonham]

What a fabulous video, the scenery is gorgeous!

[@mikepeace1798]

Hi, I think that what you are calling the remains of a building opposite the station would have been the coal yard, probably a single track coming up a ramp with bottom dumping trucks discharging into the bays underneath, if you look at Goathland station is a good example of an existing one, lovely film, I effectively grew up on Deepgrove farm from the early 50's

[@johntyjp]

Very enjoyable video laddie! It was once called, The Permanent Way, this one should ve remained as such! 🧐

[@TrekkingExploration]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you

[@shirleylynch7529]

Absolutely stunning countryside. Beautiful filming. Weather amazing. The explore was excellent. All the black and white photos so nostalgic. The one where the men doing the construction of the tunnel quite sad. Where are they now and what’s happened to their tunnels?Music hauntingly beautiful. Thank you Ant. Another masterpiece.😊

[@lilchris26]

Yes carry on please, superb video superb views, love the music too.

[@152clive]

yes please i would love to see more of this route and great music to go with the video you always edit it so well thank you

[@terryansell6641]

What a great video and amazing drone shots I’m laying in bed on a cold winters night watching your brilliant video thank you from NZ

[@jessgerrard2792]

Brilliant again Ant, one of my favourite places in the country and many happy memories up and around there. Thanks for producing the video. Keep up the great work 🍻🍻

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Jess thanks very much 🙂

[@paulrobinson8263]

Awesome and well put together again for easy following, thank you 👍

[@garth62]

Walked that very same route during a beautiful sunny week in Spetember 23. I agree the views were stunning and sheer wonderment of the engineering to construct rhe railway. I would have loved to have been able to explore through the tunnels but they were most definately closed off - such a shame. Many intersting features to discover on that walk. Thank you for posting this video as it brought back all the memories. Will be looking out for Kettleness to Loftus

[@RichardFelstead1949]

G'day from Australia. I enjoy trekking along with you and your 23.2K subscribers.

[@peterharrison1480]

What an absolutely stunning railway line, would of loved to have seen it in it's heyday, Kettleness station just sums up it's beauty. Well filmed with expert commentary. Thank you for sharing it.

[@lindamccaughey6669]

It would be fabulous if you went on. The video was brilliant Ant. Loved the one you made when you went inside the tunnels. The views are spectacular. Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

[@john-pu5uy]

Keep going Ant-- the views are fantastic....

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks, will do John

[@bobjackson6524]

Truly magical. Thankyou for taking us with you. ❤

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks Bob as always 😊

[@robertbush6652]

Another excellent video Ant great drove footage and historical photos.

[@leey7h]

Bet if that was still open would be a great tourist attraction now. Thanks for sharing , really fascinating.

[@mansdaz]

Great video All the best Daz

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much

[@mikerogers5043]

Brilliant video Ant, love this series. What a stunning railway that would be if it was still in use.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Cheers Mike thank you. We still need to do those tunnels up your way

[@mikerogers5043]

@@TrekkingExploration lets get it sorted

[@Planestrains-d5e]

Imagine if this had been preserved and formed the northern part of the NYMR. What a heritage railway *that* would have been. Mind you, it would take a lot of work to shore up quite a bit of the crumbling track bed.

[@dilwyn1]

@Ant .. In all your videos you thank us for watching. We thank you so much for making them☺. It strikes me that single handled your documentary films are much better that the multi millions pound productions we have to suffer on TV etc !! most of which are as boring as watching paint dry! Please keep us sane and entertained

[@steadycamman1]

Thank you for the video ant, loved it, such a beautiful old station, and what a lovely soundtrack you put with it, AMAZING .👍

[@stevenwhitaker-jones5687]

This is awesome, thank you. Can't wait to see the Staithes leg!

[@robertmaitland09]

Thanks Ant, what a fantastic train ride that would've been! Please keep going, the viaduct at Staithes looked amazing back in the day.

[@TrekkingExploration]

I agree. Thank you

[@expatflyer11]

Fantastic photography, archive material and commentary. Please continue. My grandparents were gardeners and servants at Upleatham Hall, demolished by the Earl of Zetland after the ironstone mines closed in 1924, and moved to Loftus.

[@saltspringrailway3683]

Yes, more of this. We were originally from 'ull. We now live on an island near Vancouver, BC. They are very proud of beautiful BC but I reakon ya can't beat Yorkshire, thou knows.

[@jillanderson7048]

Please do more beyond Kettleness Station. Great video.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much I will be back 😊

[@simonrichardson5077]

Superb work Ant,thanks

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Simon

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

So needs reinstating as much as possible. The views in summer would be amazing.

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

8:53 is that bulging of the tunnel wall or just the camera lens?

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

​@@TheGramophoneGirlno, it's bulging. The original route around the visit was abandoned due to the unstable geology. The NER wanted to go further inland and abandon the Sandsend and Kettleness tunnels.

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

@@neiloflongbeck5705 Shame as it's such an amazing route. But yeah, those tunnels looked a bit precarious. No charity could ever afford to repair them for a heritage railway.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@@TheGramophoneGirl that's true. Closing the line saved BR about £50,000 on maintenance for the period 1958 to 1963 and IIRC something in the order of half tgatbol operating costs. The pick up goods from Whitby to Carlin Howe often ran with just locomotive and brake van but still had to run to get locomotive and crew back to their home depot.

[@alankennedy3398]

Fantastic work again I’ve really enjoyed the whole cinder track story so far and the weather was kind allowing everyone to really appreciate the scenery .. strangely I recently read a fantastic article on the history of then York whitby Scarborough cinder track railway on fb posted by Mario Papworth ref 1964 Railway World Article by Theodore Horn, copywrite 1964 Railway World. It’s a great read .. looking forward to the next chapter

[@dixonpeter]

Love your reaction to those steps after Sandsend tunnel, was pretty much my reaction when I met them, and I go up Mountains! :D

[@iantwigg6983]

Keep em coming Ant. Glad you dropped in with the weather too as it’s the only way to showcase this route 😂😎☀️ The lucky train drivers working that route daily really must have thought they had the best job in the land. Oh for it to all be like that again which we all drift off into dreamland wishing it was when we watch these amazing vids!! I wonder what station remains exist in the scout hut (old ticket office for example?)… Such a great blue print for how you do these videos - very inspiring stuff 👍 Keep up the great work, Ian and family, Wigan 🙌

[@andrewmatley7688]

nice one Ant you,ve done it again keep doing what you do mate loving it.

[@david5845]

Superb! Love your enthusiasm. Looking forward to the coninuation. Yeah! Cheers

[@alexbowey2760]

remember the ropes down the cliffs (left by the scouts) going down to the bottom to get the best winkles in the area

[@lufcyorkshireno1]

Really enjoyed this one Ant. Looking forward for the next one.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Brilliant thank you

[@barrybristow4646]

Yes please.

[@timbounds7190]

Excellent video - the drone footage really enhanced it! There again, on a day like that in scenery like that, it'd be hard to make a crap video! That coastline is superb - I never understand why it isn't better known - the Northumberland coastline is famous, but its dull compared to the Yorkshire coast from Saltburn to Scarborough. I can't help feeling that more use could have been made of the old railway for tourism purposes, even if the tunnels are a bit dodgy to resuse.

[@tonystack7375]

What a tragedy the closure of the line was if they had kept it open it would have been a gold mine today with holiday makers on a scenic route.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Yes and the Scarborough to Whitby line too

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Unfortunately this line was always a financial drain, if it hadn't been for WW2 the line wouldn't have made it to 1958.

[@maxthecat14]

The British tourist board should pay you, for showing people how beautiful our Countryside is.

[@TrekkingExploration]

Awwww so very kind thank you

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

This boast is one of the former industrial sites that they don't wish to remember.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Excellent video. I have cycled the Scarborough to Whitby route but didn't realise how dramatic the scenery is further north. Yes please, do more of of that route!!

[@carolpostle5886]

Really enjoy your content, would love to see more of your travels and hear about our lost railway heritage. Keep up the amazing work😊

[@TrekkingExploration]

Thanks very much Carol. I'm pleased you are enjoying them

[@Anglianwanderer]

Thanks Ant, great video!

[@notsohairybiker]

Hi Ant, the building opposite the station at kettleness was a coal depot.

[@alancarter9710]

Hi Ant Fantastic vid as usual. My favorite is Scarborough to Whitby. (seen your vid on this) I stayed in camping coaches at Robin Hoods Bay as a kid. Travelled up and down the line each day. Thanks again. AlanC

[@levelcrossing150]

A fabulous railway, it was.

[@TrekkingExploration]

It looks like it was 😊

[@butchknapman3939]

Another great video with so much detail including photographs from private collection. As in all videos try and calculate the hours spent creating tunnels embankments and cuttings all without JCB"s etc. . This railway remines .me of the railway between Folkstone and Dover. Now we import Alum from Nepal and India

[@garymutten4093]

Another top quality video Ant. Amazing scenery, fascinating remains. inspiring

[@TrekkingExploration]

Very kind Gary thank you 😊