BRANCH LINE - 1 - Sir John Betjeman

Part 1 - A 1963 BBC programme showing the 24 mile S&D line from Evercreech Junction. In this first episode we reach Highbridge - then the end of passenger services.

• Category

  Travel & Events

[britishbulldog5505]

It's quite depressing to watch. England has lost so much.

[mac man]

This just has to be one of the finest railways films ever made, but sadly the ruthless destruction conveyed so eloquently by JB still thrives today in the hearts and minds of those too stupid to learn from past mistakes, after 31 years as a village station master i discovered the managers want to reduce the manned hours from 128 a week to 15 throwing 2 livelihoods in jeopardy ,JB would turn in his grave if he knew lessons from the past had not been learnt .

[JustinGowers71]

For anyone interested in learning more about John Betjeman, please look at the website for the John Betjeman Poetry Competition for Young People. The prize was set up by his family to commemorate Betjeman through encouraging children to read, write and be inspired by poetry.

[Harrison1420]

I like how there was so much in work back then. Now a station has no workers, just a machine.

[PoetryETrain]

Thank you Sir John Betjeman and all, added to a playlist...

[sunbeam Talbotmkii]

Until they sacked everyone tore up the track and sold everything off to the highest bidder in the name of rationalisation BR R.I.P.!

[Andre Brannan]

A wonderful programme not available on DVD as far as I'm aware. I have on VHS doesn't seem to be available now.

[Sandra Novus]

This is such a great programme. It has been placed online as part of the BBC's releasing the archive project. If you google BBC Four Collections you will find lots of archive programmes. This one is in the Steam Railways Collection and there is also a 1962 Betjeman programme called Men of Steam.

[karen deeks]

absolutely wonderful, i was totally engrossed in the nostalgic views and words so thoughtfully spoken.

[colliecandle]

I bemoaned the fact this wasn't filmed in colour by the BBC - it would have have made it so much more 'alive' and present, BUT , I definitely recall seeing the clip in colour at Highbridge where the camera follows the fireman as he walks up the platform @ 9: 32. I wonder then, why this whole film wasn't released as originally filmed ?