Sunday 20 May 2007

1958 - an English branch line



A lovely atmospheric film of the Saxmundham to Aldeburgh railway in 1958, including street shots.

Tuesday 15 May 2007

a lost southern line



There are few really rural lines left in Britain, this was Watergate Halt on the old Torrington to Halwill line, which retained a freight service into the 1980s. This shot was taken in 1980. The line had closed to passengers as late as 1965, it was also one of the last standard gauge lines to open in Britain. The line is now unfortunately lifted throughout, although the northern section of the route from Bideford to Barnstaple is likely to reopen in the not too distant future.
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Friday 11 May 2007

swanage pier tramway






An unusual sight in Swanage is the remains of the old Swanage Pier Tramway, closed for many decades. The rail on a good portion of the route survives, set into the blocks along the sea front. These views were taken on May 9, 2007.

It wouldn't take a great deal of work to restore this route for short trips along the sea front - perhaps even in a horse tram! Horses were used to pull the trains of stone which were the reason for the line's existence. It was never very successful as an extension through Swanage was blocked.
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Saturday 5 May 2007

groudle glen

This little visited line is on the Isle of Man and is a real delight. Trains start from a small station set in the woods and end up on the cliff edge close to an abandoned zoo.

Wednesday 2 May 2007

more hungarian narrow gauge



More intriguing Hungarian narrow gauge. These appear to have been taken on the Kismaros to Kiralyrét line.

Hungarian narrow gauge



Found this on Youtube. I went to Hungary a couple of years ago and hardly saw a railway, let alone a narrow gauge one. This is likely to drag me back there some day!