Flanders and Swann - The Slow Train

[Oldgittom]

Politics aside (ignore the stink), all progress entails destruction. Railways did for stage coaches & canals. Alas, now so many lines have gone, we have come back to realizing they are a vital part of any sane transport policy. I read recently, UK rail fares are up to ten (yes 10) times more expensive than on the (subsidized) continent.

When I've had a few beers, I listen to this lovely song with tears in my eyes. Try Youtube vid & poem 'Addlestrop' - same effect. The poet died in WWI. OGT

[TheMimifur]

Windmill End. ... What next?

[TheMimifur]

I was brought up with the more political songs of Flanders and Swann. My parents used to borrow long-playing records and put them on the reel-to-reel tape. But the tape was a bit shorter than the LP so always a song was sacrificed. This was one that as a child I never heard in its entirity. Til now. And it is such a good song.

[GeorgeUKCFC]

Out of the named stations, the following remain open...

Chester-le-Street

Formby

Ambergate

Selby

Goole

St Erth

St Ives

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@GeorgeUKCFC Arram does as well!

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@GeorgeUKCFC Chorlton-cum-Hardy has also just rejoined the network as part of the Metrolink!

[ryanlim2002]

Bloody hell. My government is playing Beeching with the local railways!!!!!!!!!!! Our one and only branch line just got axed! Tracks to be removed soon along with the station which has the platforms marked for demolishment!

[Digscomics]

This is one of the saddest songs I've ever heard. At least, that's what I think when I see the replacement bus service.

[DaveP1991]

It's at times like this I regret being born in 1991 and wish I was born closer to 1941 and would have got the chance to see Britians railway's before *he* came along.

[SuperNevile]

Massive spend to build the railway infrastructure in this country, (fortunes made and lost! ) ~ all that navvie work, cuttings, embankments, bridges, tunnels, architectural stations and goods yards ~ for what ~ only 100 years useage for many lines. Sad waste. We have been seduced by the car and its promise of door to door, and individualistic travel (for how long?). We have, however, been bequeathed some wonderful foot and cycle paths, oh, and heritage railways.

[johnopone]

I GUESS IF DOCTOR BEECHING HAD NEVER BEEN BORN THIS SONG WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN WRITTEN EH??? Tre Nostalgic 

[ArtyEffem]

@johnopone No - the government would simply have hired another un-elected individual to come to the desired conclusions.

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@ArtyEffem People perhaps lay a bit too much blame on Beeching. The real villain was probably Ernest Marples - he was Minister of Transport but he also owned a road building company. That was never going to be good news for the railways - in fact, it wouldn't even be allowed today for obvious reasons! Beeching was only Chairman of the British Railways Board, so he only had the power to RECOMMEND closures - Marples was the one with the power to actually make them!

[24132033moore]

@Inkyminkyzizwoz exit 14 on the M1 had graffiti on it Stating...Marples must Go.way back in the 60`s,used to

chuckle at it as a kid on my way to my God-father`s at Woburn.

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@24132033moore To be fair, the railways were losing an awful lot of money which we simply couldn't afford to be losing - especially in the aftermath of WWII - and a lot of lines simply weren't sustainable once wage costs began to rise and passenger numbers began to fall due to the rise of the motor car. Something did need to be done or the whole system could've collapsed, but some of it was somewhat hasty and could perhaps have been thought out better.

[andrea22213]

@Inkyminkyzizwoz

You're absolutely right. These were routes that were purely speculative, hoping that settlements and passengers would arise because there was a railway station.

When that hadn't happened by the 1960's there was no other option.

In fact they should have been alowed to wither many years before.

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@andrea22213 What a lot of people seem to forget is that many routes DID close years before! The network's peak size was around 23,000 miles, but by the time Beeching was appointed it was already down to 18,000.

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@andrea22213 Furthermore, many lines were built by different companies to compete with each other, which meant an awful lot of duplication that simply wasn't needed.

[Oldgittom]

OK, but British Railways was a nationalized company. At that time it used coal from the nationalized coal industry. The Tories were ideologically opposed to state industries, so attacked. Little effort was made to save useable lines. BR was switched to oil, all imported from 'nice' private oil corps. A golden inheritance from the Victorians was blown away. At vast expense, we got motorways & autos blocking every town & city. Enjoy? OGT

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@Oldgittom Having a Minister of Transport who owned a road building company was never going to be good news for the railways irrespective of what party had been in power! Like I said, it wouldn't even be allowed today for obvious reasons!

[turnipfield]

@Inkyminkyzizwoz This is exactly correct: Marples was the evil scumbag who axed the railways to make his money out of road building - Was it called "Brit. Roadstone" or some such. However Beeching was just as evil - they were hand in hand. It was a terrible evil act to inflict on the country and between them they destroyed a national resource under the guise that it was "non profitable". It was but that could be fixed. They both profited from beating up their own country. scum.

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@turnipfield In fairness, the railways were losing an awful lot of money which we simply couldn't afford - especially in the aftermath of WWII. Yes, the process was very heavy-handed, but at the same time there was an awful lot that simply wasn't sustainable and something needed to be done, otherwise the whole system could simply have collapsed.

[johngal56]

Wonderful stuff. Very evocative of a bygone age.

[Turnerspaintbrush]

The slow train at Midsomer Norton is running again thanks to lots of hard work by the railway museum there.

[Turnerspaintbrush]

The slow train at Midsomer Norton is running again thanks to lots of hard work by the railway museum there

[logbasher]

@Turnerspaintbrush Yeah but to where? Not to Bath Green Park or Bournemouth West..... Just Midsomer Norton shunt and back to Midsomer....

[Forkygolach]

beautiful song - so English and reminiscient of a gentler age

[kevinastraw]

We should have built up the railways - where there are motorways now there should be railway lines. The ubiquitous and poisonous car is ruining society.

[ivorlottandtonybroke]

@kevinastraw Quite right! Regarding cars, a friend of mine once said "when you walk, you talk; when you ride, you hide." The train was the one means of transport where you could ride and talk. Alas, I believe the car will remain king for as long as the hydrocarbons last.

[SuperAmos31]

Thaanks ArtEffem i`ve watched the clip you suggested and my curiosity is now satisfied superamos31

[jasonpfinch]

Chester-le-Street is still there. They must have included it for the scansion or something.

[Loganberrybunny]

@jasonpfinch Several of the stations were kept open in the end. Another example is Formby, which is on the Liverpool to Southport line and these days gets a pretty good service.

[Utubestolemylife]

I just remember meeting my aunt at Mortehoe one summer holiday. Don't think there's much there now.

[BunkyOhare]

Bravo for old lines with new openings and memories of driving over the crossing at Longstanton....with that large burnt out house on the right just before, on the way into Cambridge.....the poetry of John Betjamin..... the witty and charming observations of Flanders and Swan. One for my "desert island dics" without doubt.

[SuperAmos31]

I am still am looking for Troublehouse Halt although Cheslyn Hay is now open again and has been for a few years now superamos31

[ArtyEffem]

@SuperAmos31 For Troublehouse Halt, enter: "Tetbury to Kemble and Cirencester" (WJxU4UZ2EDg)

[cleckheatoncentral]

Dear All, some good news...Airdie to Bathagte will be re-opened soon..shut in 1956

So trains will stop at Armadal and , Caldercruix once again!!

[rogerroutemaster]

Pure genius! Flanders and Swann were masters of gentle (genteel?) comedy, but their genius extended to the wonderful pathos embodied in the Slow Train. I learnt recently that Stephanie Flanders (BBC Economics Editor) is the daughter of Michael Flanders. I can't help thinking of the Gnu Song whenever I see her on TV, though she is raher more elegant than the aforementioned animal!

[madammorrighan]

Add me to the list of people feeling weepy after listening. And I was born long after Beeching!

Such a beautiful song, gives me goosebumps every time.

[ACK556]

Just discovered this after reading "On the Slow Train" by Michael Williams, which was inspired by the song. Interestingly, not all the stations mentioned were closed, such as St Erth to St Ives.

[alcockell]

@ACK556 IIRC, St Erth to St Ives was reopened after originally being closed down.

[teetytot]

my favorite. For years, I went to sleep to this. It still makes me weepy.

[avril2]

Thanks blinddrunkal, I'm also an Al who has had a few tonight.

Cheers 

[grassfuse]

It's strange how evocative this still is (and how sad)Armstrong and Miller's 'take ' on their act is, while a little coarser,really quite affectionate!

[avril2]

We won't be meeting again, on the slow train.

How sad.

[JimTLonW6]

How can anyone dislike this wonderful, gentle, piece of entertainment? Incidentally I've actually been through Trouble House Halt! It's near Cirencester on the former line to Tetbury, and if the pub has gone, well at least the pub is still there!

[stevehalkyard]

Although the song does not mention Addingham (where I was born), it mentions Armley Moor! I grew up in the maze of 2up-1 down back-to-back houses which were the Cedars,adjacent to Armley Moor station. Great days playing in the coal yards!

[Rahthoma]

This is actually a political song, written shortly after the huge and crippling cuts to the British transport system in the 60s, which left small, rural communities isolated and led to enormous congestion on the nation's roads. Conservative government, as it happens

[Rahthoma]

This is actually a political song, written shortly after the huge and crippling cuts to the British transport system in the 60s, which have led to enormous congestion on the nation's roads. Conservative government, as it happens.

[cleckheatoncentral]

Shame to song didnot mention Addingham, which was the first station listed for Closure in the Beeching report...all closures listed A-Z. It may one day be re-opened by the Embsay & Bolton abbey steam railway

[cleckheatoncentral]

forget the lib dems..visit Midsomer Norton south on the S&D. I will be catching a steam train to Midsomer Norton!!

[FR0STYF0X]

For a happy ending vote lib dem and they will bring the trains back

(among other good things)

[OwizzleSpindles]

@FR0STYF0X bet you're feeling a bit peeved now eh? Shoud've voted Labour!

[croesus73]

@OwizzleSpindles

The Beeching report was published in 1963, under a Tory government.

However, nearly all the cuts took place during Wilson's Labour government, from 1964 onwards.

Both Tory and Labour were vandals in their squandering of parts of our national infrastructure. Not only vandals, but short sighted to boot.

So, what's changed?

Now it's our national identity they're busy getting rid of.

[Shabannie]

Thank you for making this interesting post.

--------Ellen

[Alcagaur]

As a beautiful piece of wistful reflection, I think this stands alone well, buttressed by the unobtrusive nature of your clip selection. I would be curious to know how, theoretically, you would go about illustrating this together with its meandering, energetic introduction on the vagaries of flight ( I teach English for Theatre and Film Purposes and like to have topics on which students can play Devil's Advocate). A lovely, engaging collage of suitably gentle moments.

[cleckheatoncentral]

Just visited Midsommer Norton, which is mentioned in this song. Some locals are actually restoring the station and some of the Line....Good on them!!!

[cfcsi]

I grew up with my late mum singing these songs to me! Sadly there are no one in todays world who can equal them. Greatly missed :(

[boptobe42]

A new version of this song by wonderful English band STACKRIDGE is now available @ Muzu TV. They are currently performing it in their live set. Catch them in Bilston,Yeovil,Bristol,Tavisto­ck,& Lyme Regis soon .

[jules0659]

I love this song.

[oatesn]

I pressed the wrong button. I love this so deduct i poor reveiw

[boptobe42]

That wonderful underrated & very English band Stackridge now include this song in their live set & have filmed a live video of their version, which should be available on YouTube & Muzu TV soon.

[eversoplucky]

When I was little I never liked this song much, because unlike their other songs, it wasn't very funny.

Now that I'm older- and rather more nostalgic for an era outside my own memory!- it's one of my favourites.

[FrankLJ]

Lyrics: 1 of 3

Miller's Dale for Tideswell ...

Kirby Muxloe ...

Mow Cop and Scholar Green ...

No more will I go to Blandford Forum and Mortehoe

On the slow train from Midsomer Norton and Mumby Road.

No churns, no porter, no cat on a seat

At Chorlton-cum-Hardy or Chester-le-Street.

We won't be meeting again

On the Slow Train.

[FrankLJ]

2 of 3 I'll travel no more from Littleton Badsey to Openshaw. At Long Stanton I'll stand well clear of the doors no more. No whitewashed pebbles, no Up and no Down From Formby Four Crosses to Dunstable Town. I won't be going again On the Slow Train. On the Main Line and the Goods Siding The grass grows high At Dog Dyke, Tumby Woodside And Trouble House Halt.

[FrankLJ]

3 of 3 The Sleepers sleep at Audlem and Ambergate. No passenger waits on Chittening platform or Cheslyn Hay. No one departs, no one arrives From Selby to Goole, from St Erth to St Ives. They've all passed out of our lives On the Slow Train, on the Slow Train. Cockermouth for Buttermere ... on the Slow Train, Armley Moor Arram ... Pye Hill and Somercotes ... on the Slow Train, Windmill End.

[vernats]

Just seen Stackridge perform this at Stamford Arts Centre. Wonderful. A great song commemorating a lost era. Dogdyke is just up the road from where I live and I can remember catching a train to Boston from there in the early sixties.

[Ynot1666]

Wonderful! As someone who loves railways, and who used to travel by train in Britain before Beeching, this is the saddest song ever written.

My home town had two stations - after Beeching it had none.

"No cat on a seat" - says it all about life in those days. The station cat was an institution.

[britishbulldog5505]

I think a lot of people would envy you! I certainly wish I'd been around to see what the railways were like before the 1960s.

It's so dreadfully depressing that it's all gone now.

[michaelfergusonuk]

@Ynot1666 I couldn't agree more, My Home County of Bedforshire lost "Willington/Blunham/Greater Sandy (2/3rds of the Station still operates) Potton" and countless others....

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@Ynot1666 Technically, BEECHING never actually closed anything - the only person who can issue a closure notice is the Secretary of State for Transport (or Minister of Transport as it was then). At the time that was Ernest Marples, who also owned a road building company - perhaps that had more to do with it? After all, that wouldn't allowed these days due to the obvious conflict of interest! As Chairman of the British Railways Board, all Beeching had the power to do was RECOMMEND closures.

[freebeerfordworkers]

For anyone who wants to wallow in nostalgia like me Google " Subterrana britannica" - Closed Stations - for details of stations with then and now pictures.

[DudFivers]

The two locomotives in the snow at 0:52, taken at Trafford Park, Manchester, on Saturday 13th January 1968. I expect you will have seen it at Flickr. Actually it's not a good scan. No need for apologies ...you are perfectly welcome to use it.

[DudFivers]

The Gnu Song and The Hippopotamus Song used to crop up on "Children's Favourites" from time to time, but it's only now, through You Tube, that I've come to Flanders & Swann with an adult's appreciation. I'd never heard this beautiful threnody before. How clever, witty and erudite they were. What poetry there is in English place-names. By the way, I took one of the photographs used in the slideshow ...not that I mind.

[blinddrunkal]

Sorry for stealing one of your pictures! Which one was it? Where did I get it from??? Thanks for letting me know - All the best :o) Alan

[simonwho1]

Wonderfully evocative of two - closely linked - eras that have now passed into memory: the pre-Beeching steam train services, and the urbane wit of Flanders & Swann themselves.

Worth noting: that gently eccentric, very English band, Stackridge, are currently performing 'Slow Train' as part of their live set. Well worth seeing!

[MrParnellijones]

Okay, I don't want to upset the copyright holders, but I desperately want to play this for my father when I return to the UK for a couple of weeks at Christmas. I've got the main bit, set in the key of F. But can anyone give me the chord sequence from 1min22sec, from "On the main line..." etc. I'm lost!

[IrishClaudius]

Thank you very much for posting this can't say what the chord is but this means a great deal to me now that I'm the age that flanders and Swann were when I first heard it. As a kid I thought how is that man signing when he is in a wheel chair - later I found out from a very close friend . Sadly he died three years ago.

[Ynot1666]

@MrParnellijones

Well I have the Flanders and Swann songbook from 1977, but I can't contact you directly.

I'll do my best - A minor for 2 bars, then a weird one - a BA seventh in the bass and DEAB in the treble clef. The the next bar is E7. Then at "Trouble House" (the only pub in England with its own railway station) DAD in the left hand and GCD in the right hand with the G resolving to F# on "Halt". Does that help?

You're not the legendary Parnelli Jones I assume!

[rpw934]

@Ynot1666

A surprising number of their arrangements turn to be quite beastly difficult to play

[Bouncybon]

It makes me cry. It makes me weep.

It is so beautiful, but it also recalls an England

that has disappeared.

The England of my boyhood in the 1950's.

[Ynot1666]

@Bouncybon

Oh how right you are. Me too! When every street was not wall to wall parked cars, and you could cycle the roads without getting killed, and actually take the train to places that weren't cities.

[TimAber57]

@Bouncybon You are absolutely right. It makes me think of so many things that have changed, many of which are attitudes as much as physical things. There is a gentle, intelligent and deeply moving poetry in the song, and what it describes, of a kind that we don't seem to have anymore.

[BryanMRoland]

Yes fantastic isn't it if you clock the time signature the minor key and the inflection you dont even need to know the words to understand "reflection" and "we lost it" but it tells us that some loved enough to write and record it - and some still love to remember it....ah!!!!!

[5610winston]

The root of the word "nostalgia" is the greek word for pain. In the song book, Swann remembers that one of The King's Singers told him that trains move it 6/8 time, and that was why he selected that time signature.

[BryanMRoland]

Here we have two wonderful musicians who wanted to reflect the Beeching impact in rememberance of what there used to be....not what was left thereafter....so they chose a minor key and a gentle reflection of what we all knew would never return.....if they dont score top ten with you you must be a youngster who never saw a steam train!!!!!!!

I feel sorry for you!!!!

[Salierethefish]

I am a youngster who never saw a proper steam train.

But this is still one of my favourite pieces of English music in the world, ever.

[PeterJewell2]

Just beautiful. Thank you.

[cleckheatoncentral]

I think a good Scottish version should include:

Alloa, a complete success, carried 4 times the predicted passengers

Galashiels: hoping for 2012

St Andrews: depends on the star campaign

Hawick: Depends on common sense, why stop at Tweedbank, complete the jbob to Carlisle

Grantown on Spey: depends on goodwill.

Why are the Scots so ahead of us when re-opening lines:

Ripon,Woodhead, Waverley..all await

[elephantbarbiegirl]

Thanks for the posting. This song reminds me of my Dad who used to sing F&S songs to me and my sisters. He's gone now, along with the stations. Funny, I now work in north Glasgow in an area where lthese magnificent steam engines were built- the sheds have all gone and it's now a Tesco's! And they talk about progress.........

[Jourell1]

I love this song, for some reason i find it very soothing. It brings up recent memories of a trip my dad and i took to the isles and we often travelled by rail a we mainly stayed on the scotch side of the border.

I'm a 26 year old canadian who's recently discovered and fallen in love with this guys. a special thanks go out to the muppets for doing a cover of the gnu song on the muppet show

[BigBoobsGotMeBanned]

Blandford ftw.

[Cool2BCeltic]

Someone should write a Scottish version of this song:-

"Newtown St Boswells, Beattock for Moffat, Ruthwell, St Andrews, We'll ne'er go again on the slow train,

The sleepers sleep at Hawick and Gatehouse of Fleet

No passenger stands on St Enoch platform or Princes Street

At Cruden Bay I'll ne'er stand clear of the doors no more

No more will I go to Botanic Gardens and Kelvinbridge

On the slow train, on the slow train

[gusgorilla76]

Well said! I lived in St Andrews for four years and went back there recently, and by far the most tedious part of the journey is still the bus/taxi journey from Leuchars via Guardbridge.

[TheDavynator0]

this song is really nostalgic although also gently sad.

[clarinet1]

It makes me feel so English!

[Cool2BCeltic]

It would. They only commemorate English stations in this song.

[gm4fam]

And that's because they WERE English! Looks like you have written a Scottish version (a very good one).

BTW: It might be cool2bceltic but its cooler to be a Gooner.

[Cool2BCeltic]

Shall I have a go at writing a full length Scottish version?

[blinddrunkal]

Sounds like a great idea! Let's hear it ! all the best :o) Alan

[Cool2BCeltic]

I'll get going on it. Although the song is about English stations you have included in your video a picture of a train ascending Cowlairs incline out of Glasgow Queen Street.

[Cool2BCeltic]

They also did write a song titled "The English are Best". They were entitled to their illusions!

[cleckheatoncentral]

This country has several lines crying out to be re-opened:

1) Skipton-Colne

2) Woodhead route

3) Hull-York via Market Weighton

4) Buxton-Matlock

But every government since Dr Beeching are so anti-rail..Why can't they learn from the Scots: Reopen the line and offer a good reliable service and people Will use it.

[gaspode18]

There's one little bit of good news: the line to St Ives (via St Erth) has been re-opened.

[jamiegoddard4]

It never closed, because th constituancy was seen as too important for the government to shut it.

[MiLLwallpaul231258]

When i was a young lad i once went on a train from waterloo to Mortehoe on a summer holiday.I went to mortehoe earlier this year (April)to see the old station which is still there(buildings),but this seems to be soon demolished. Good old Dr Beeching......what a nob he was

[hazzerish]

never knew that where i am from was in a song, mow cop on the map, thanks for putting this on.

[Vicknope]

Thanks for posting this. I have sung this song today, and the nostalgic reflection of times passed is quite poignant.

[cleckheatoncentral]

Great song, Dr Beeching got it so wrong. Now the scots have to re-open the waverley line, Airdie to Bathgate , and soon the English will follow? Skipton-Colne??

[blogward]

My fave of all their songs. This was quite a political issue at the time of Dr. Beeching, who slashed the UK rail network. Thanks.

[Telepresent]

No, I got that wrong. It's not that it reminds me of listening to an LP 20 years ago.

It's that it brings back a memory I had lost - one of listening to this, as a toddler, with my grandparents. Both of them. I have very few memories of both of them. In fact, I have very few memories of either of them. But this song... this song... I don't know what it is, but it brings them back a little bit more...

Enough to make me cry, at any rate. And I guess that's a good rate to go by...

[digbycc]

For some reason, this song always reminds me of my grandma who died in 1985, and makes me think of the very few memories I have of her.

My dad had all the Flanders & Swann LPs (Drop of a Hat, Another Hat etc.) when I was little, and Flanders' voice is still as familiar to me as that of a family member. How strange, but how comforting...

[Telepresent]

Oh my.

I was properly introduced to Flanders and Swann by my grandparents about 20 years ago - in fact I reckon I was listening to them before I could understand language... Now I have a CD. It doesn't have this song. I had a vague memory of it.

We listened to this on the way to my Grandfather's funeral.

I'm pleased to hear it again, not least because it releases that memory, but it brings back my being tiny, and listening to an LP all those years ago.

Thank you.

[trekker2002]

Wonderful. I didn't realise that this was a Flanders and Swann. I had only heard the King' Singers version before. This is much better

[sullecramrichie]

What makes this piece (the images, too) so compelling? A poignant and masterfully contructed lyric of course -- perfectly matched to graceful music. And it's about trains. Who doesn't like trains? Maybe it's the aching sense of nostalgia this tune evokes -- of places you've never known but feel you know in the heart somehow. Lost things. Englishness. But even if you're not English, or don't like trains, this song distills in one a sweet solace as to the passing nature of all things. Thank you.

[gab21113]

This Yank feels it too; we used to have a wonderful network of trains, all slashed and merged into Amtrak.

[sleeming88]

The sleepers sleep...

[Emmett006]

Try google for that lipsbach. It seems that Donald Swann did the music.

I found out while searching around a while ago that Michael Flanders narrated a version of 'Peter and the wolf'' that I remember enjoying as a kid :-)

[lipsbach]

I just bought the LP yesterday from which this comes...the King's Singers also did an awesome arrangement of it (a capella). Does anyone know about the music they wrote for "Wacky and His Fuddlejig"? The author of that book was a dear friend of mine who died back in '81.

[traintovietnam]

Put far more beautifully than any letter or angry protest could have done. i wasn't even born until 1976 but the actions of those at the time still make my blood boil. Especially when you look at Google Maps and see all the disused tracks...

[Emmett006]

Fantastic! My dad took me to see F&S in 1963. I loved the songs (still do) but too many words in between for me at aged six! Swann was a lifelong pacifist and you can see Micheal's daughter regularly on BBC TV. I think this song was written just before Beeching but the writing was clearly on the wall. I live in Cornwall and as far as I know St Erth & St Ives stations are still there. However the churns/porter/cat on a seat have been replaced by security annoucements and Burger King ;-)

[kaftanman]

To be honest, this one usually makes me cry just a little...

[MANFROMMARS46]

Kaftanman no need to be embarrasssed it makes me cry a lot.

[steve03au]

You're not the only one. As an eight year old listening to this song in Australia in 1969 I sensed the twinge of regret and pathos in the lyric and tune. Beautiful music.

[CobinRain]

@kaftanman me too

[pampebble]

@kaftanman and me.

[BunkyOhare]

@kaftanman

Know what you mean, have not heard this in years and remember why I never aquired it before, it kills me every time.

[TimAber57]

@kaftanman

Funnily enough, I was about to say the same, before I saw your comment. I think we lost more than just part of the railway...

[couplinghook]

very sad song....Mike

[Floogy26]

Charming and evocative recall of a past time remembered with affection. Those branch lines had to go, they couldn't compete with roads and the motor car, but what wonderful memories.

[Inkyminkyzizwoz]

Of course, the problem with motor cars is there are now so many of them around that the roads have become very congested, and hence a lot of people are starting to go back to using the train again. In fact, the number of people travelling by rail each year in Britain is now higher than it was at the end of the Second World War, yet the rail network is less than two-thirds the size it was then, which is why so much of it is at or near capacity.

[MANFROMMARS46]

What a sad song this is. What a disaster that Dr. Beeching was. They were going to demolish that wonderful piece of architecture St. Pancras station till John Betjemann stepped in.

[whouster]

What a fantastic way to make a protest; and to make it so lyrical. Shame it held no sway with Dr. Beeching. To consider demolishing St Pancras station was absolute heresy.

[WriterWench]

Ahhhh... I know so many of the places named in this song. It's a beautiful, melancholy litany of a system of transportation that was brutally torn out of the countryside by the Beeching Report, after perhaps 70 years of operation.

[Escagedo3rd]

This is a great tune! I love the piano, such a feel to this. Man you really dish these good time tunes out faster than one can believe! Your a great talent......All good things to you......Eloy

[rogersdh]

Very nice video

[drawuin]

stumped me at first then i remembered they did the "At the Drop of a Hat" song sometime in the early 70's... cool stuff man keep it comin'

[nllleonard]

Guess what? Never heard it! ;)

[gerdenshed]

You're just showing off now lol 5*s :-)

I'm going to have a rummage to see if I can match this......

gerdenshed...