great video, moved to Blandford in 2000 so never remembered any of the railway there, (only the couple of arches behind somerfield). Tragic that so much was demolished and built over, wiped from existence!
Don't know if anyone can help me though, my brother and I are hoping to walk up to Bath from Blandford following as closely as possible the old railway line. Is there anywhere I can find copies of maps with the line still on? thanks again!!
@Gigagannet There is still a fair bit in situ north of Blandford and around Stourpaine and as you say above through Shillingstone station.And now one can walk now to Sturminster Newton now they have built a new footbridge over the R.Stour
Superb film,thank you.Blandford is one of many towns that should not have lost its railway,even if just involved maintaining a connection to Bournemouth.Beeching was a clumsy,Marples backed hatchet man,paid to do a job no matter what the long term cost to the nation,and we are paying for his excesses to this day.
Great you enjoyed the film and thank you for your comment.
Poor old Dr Beeching must have been the most unpopular man in Britain.
As mentioned by a railway worker in some archive film of the railway at Blandford station. Blandford & Webb use to use the railway for transporting grain. He states that getting the grain to the railway then collecting it at the other end. It was quicker to do the whole job by road.
Been going to Swanage and around Purbeck for holidays since I was very small. Have vague memories of seeing diesels at Blandford, as a young child 3-6 years old, sitting on the grass with my parents by the car park with the railway crossing the Stour. I'm not sure when and where abouts we were in Blandford. I remember the By-pass being built, is it realy that long ago. Sad tthat it was to blame for the dissapearence of some of the remaining S&D.
I still cannot believe its 25 years ago when I filmed this. Most of the evidence in the video of the S&D has now gone. I have original film superimposed into this video of the S&D at Blandford in its hey day. I Remember it as a school boy. Can't show it. Copyright stuff.
I must disagree with govan44, the line was still needed. It was when the western region took control, thats when the line went down hill. Trains being diverted freight and passenger, plus some rather odd operating restrictions. But thats the western ( Great Waste of Rails ). Hard to beleave that at one point in time one could join a train at Bradford and eventually alight at Bournemouth West, with out changing trains. Now that is how to run a railway.
The rail line could of saved me a bit of bob on petrol, fuel in blandford now its exceeding 1.44 a litre
Supplementreviewdude 9 months ago
great video, moved to Blandford in 2000 so never remembered any of the railway there, (only the couple of arches behind somerfield). Tragic that so much was demolished and built over, wiped from existence!
Don't know if anyone can help me though, my brother and I are hoping to walk up to Bath from Blandford following as closely as possible the old railway line. Is there anywhere I can find copies of maps with the line still on? thanks again!!
richyboy77 2 years ago
Glad you enjoyed the video. The only thing that remains are traces of the line, not the line itself.
You can still trace the route from Google earth. Down load it free. Though they are making a great job of Shillingston Station.
Gigagannet 2 years ago
@Gigagannet There is still a fair bit in situ north of Blandford and around Stourpaine and as you say above through Shillingstone station.And now one can walk now to Sturminster Newton now they have built a new footbridge over the R.Stour
samthegreencat47 10 months ago
Superb film,thank you.Blandford is one of many towns that should not have lost its railway,even if just involved maintaining a connection to Bournemouth.Beeching was a clumsy,Marples backed hatchet man,paid to do a job no matter what the long term cost to the nation,and we are paying for his excesses to this day.
sknn497 2 years ago
Great you enjoyed the film and thank you for your comment.
Poor old Dr Beeching must have been the most unpopular man in Britain.
As mentioned by a railway worker in some archive film of the railway at Blandford station. Blandford & Webb use to use the railway for transporting grain. He states that getting the grain to the railway then collecting it at the other end. It was quicker to do the whole job by road.
Gigagannet 2 years ago
r i p s$d railway we miss you
quady37 2 years ago
A fantastic film
Been going to Swanage and around Purbeck for holidays since I was very small. Have vague memories of seeing diesels at Blandford, as a young child 3-6 years old, sitting on the grass with my parents by the car park with the railway crossing the Stour. I'm not sure when and where abouts we were in Blandford. I remember the By-pass being built, is it realy that long ago. Sad tthat it was to blame for the dissapearence of some of the remaining S&D.
Thanks for the video.
Weslake500 2 years ago
Your very welcome, great you enjoyed the video.
I still cannot believe its 25 years ago when I filmed this. Most of the evidence in the video of the S&D has now gone. I have original film superimposed into this video of the S&D at Blandford in its hey day. I Remember it as a school boy. Can't show it. Copyright stuff.
Like the Blanford to Charlton Vid!
Gigagannet 2 years ago
Check out Hollandtowers in the search box on youtube for film of Blandford forum station in the1960's.
Also excellent footage of Shillingston and Bailey Gate available to purchase on DVD in the Golden age of steam. Follow the link from hollandtowers.
Gigagannet 3 years ago
That's progress. when there is no more demand for something, time to move on.
govan44 3 years ago
Thank you for your comment.
I agree with you, like most things money rules.
Its just great to see what is left of an engineering achievment. All that work and all by hand.
Gigagannet 3 years ago
I must disagree with govan44, the line was still needed. It was when the western region took control, thats when the line went down hill. Trains being diverted freight and passenger, plus some rather odd operating restrictions. But thats the western ( Great Waste of Rails ). Hard to beleave that at one point in time one could join a train at Bradford and eventually alight at Bournemouth West, with out changing trains. Now that is how to run a railway.
baldgit646 2 years ago