Abandoned Gloucester to Ross Railway Branch Line

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4 жыл бұрын

Another disused and abandoned railway. This one running between the Gloucester to South Wales main line. It was proposed in 1844 and opened in 1855. It was part of an attempt by the Great Western Railway company to join several of its previous lines and began life as a broad gauge railway, although it was made twin Gauge around 1866, becoming just standard gauge around 1869. Among the villages served were Blaisdon, Longhope Lea Mitcheldean and Weston Under Penyard. It succumbed to the Beeching Axe along with all the others in around 1964.
Today searching for remains is a difficult task but there are some wonderful finds along the way including the most complete halt I have yet come across, some lovely intact and in place level crossing gates and the engine house at Ross. There are suggestions of trackbed here and there which make the search worthwhile so why not join me on this wonderful railway hunt.

Пікірлер: 57

@jimward8095 Жыл бұрын

Love railway history,thanks for posting,very enjoyable!

@ParkinsonsWalks Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Jim, there are quite a few railway films on my channel if that is your interest. Ron

@ragwort3369 3 жыл бұрын

I'm told that the current owner of Lea Line tunnel is quite happy for people to have a look at it, so long as they ask his permission first. Which is fair enough, really.

@ParkinsonsWalks 3 жыл бұрын

That's fantastic, I wouldn't have guessed it from the way it is fenced, but that is very fair of the owner. Ron

@michaelpilling9659 4 жыл бұрын

Good Morning Ron. Fabulous trip. Thanks for taking me along. Like you, I was astonished to see how the halt still remained in tact. The single crossing gate, the tunnel portal and magnificent engine shed at Ross. WOW! Fantastic film - looking forward to the next film very much,

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael. P.W.

@joncox6251 Жыл бұрын

Splendid video. When I was growing up in Gorsley in the 1970s, the humped-back Oakle Street Bridge was where the moped/motorcycle riders tested their nerve by taking it as fast as they could and (hopefully) taking off. Never having had a bike at the time, I returned later and tried it in an empty 7.5 tonne truck, scaring myself silly in the process. Happy days. Shame about the Silent Whistle...

@ParkinsonsWalks Жыл бұрын

Blimey Jon, a 7.5 tonne truck over the jumps? You should be at the Cheltenham races this week. Thanks for making me smile. Ron

@mikeursell3038 4 жыл бұрын

Hi PW, The brand new dwelling was my fathers house and I can confirm it was built on the trackbed, in fact quite a few feet above it. Keep up the videos. Mike

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Mike, I love it when someone takes the trouble to supply more info. Thank you. P.W.

@nicholasswift2480 4 жыл бұрын

Another very enjoyable 'lost line' video, especially the halt at Blaisdon, I don't think ive ever seen such a halt in such good looking original condition, absolutely amazed it is still there! Thanks for the video, always appreciated.

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

I couldn't believe it either. P.W.

@airgunzel4430 4 жыл бұрын

What a beaut engine house, love the original roofing straps and the historical photographs contained within. Even more amazing is the halt, wow what a find. A wonderful peaceful walk as always, thankyou for sharing. Cheers Lou

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

The halt was certainly a first for me Lou

@nigelwilliams7403 3 жыл бұрын

That old wooden halt was quite a find ! Well done Ron, nice video.

@ParkinsonsWalks 3 жыл бұрын

Yes it was, that's the only one I've found in that condition Nigel. Made mainly of wood, they have usually been robbed or just faded away. Ron.

@garysmith8.7587 4 жыл бұрын

Another fantasic video love the saying not a cat in hells chance 15.35 into the video keep up the great work its much appreciated , Spent all last weekend re-watching them all you sir are a true gent and scholar

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

Gary I couldn't do it without someone like you who is prepared to give me a chance. P.W.

@ragwort3369 3 жыл бұрын

Ross goods shed - of a similar age to the engine shed - also still exists, at what was once the other end of the platforms.

@ParkinsonsWalks 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that, I'll take a look next time I'm down that way. Ron

@steveforrestsmith5982 4 жыл бұрын

Another great video, very interesting. As I live in the forest I know a small amount of info on the forest lines and their alignments. At Longhope the line ran in a small cutting under the main road to Gloucester just in front of the war memorial. At the church you mentioned the line ran down low on the flat ground. It actually runs up high behind the farm buildings. You can make out the embankment just above the barn roof. Not only does Ross have the old engine shed but it also still has a goods shed and loading platforms.

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that info Steve, I will go and have another look. P.W.

@willumwhitmore9419 4 жыл бұрын

We need a time machine! What a lovely route. Keep yourself safe Mr. P.

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Willum, doing my best. P.W.

@johnsparkes8963 4 жыл бұрын

Very interesting video. Great to see that old engine shed put to a good use instead of knocking it down. Fantastic old photos of what it use to look like. Thank you for sharing.

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

Pleasure John. P.W.

@davidbennett6079 4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful summer scenery and some very interesting finds. The halt was especially nice to see. It was also great to see the old shed lovingly restored and still a prominent part of the town...I will have to take a trip down there myself once current affairs have eased off.

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

It is great to look at it and feel the history. P.W.

@GrahamWalters 2 жыл бұрын

I can remember Ross On Wye Station in the early 60's, and witnessing it's demise and demolition, not everything was lost, my brother managed to save a few things, mainly the home and distant signal arms, which were subsequently dontated to the Forest Of Dean railway, so part of Ross lives on. The engine shed is one of only two remaining broad gauge sheds in the country, the turntabel which was in front of it was lost in the redevelopment, and ripped out, before they realised how unique it was. The Ross line went on to Hereford, where you could reach Wocester, and despite the claims it was well used, but it was deemed a branch line and forced to close, despite a lot of local opposition.

@ParkinsonsWalks 2 жыл бұрын

Graham, thank you so much for those memories and information about the line. It brings it all back to life. Ron

@nathanbowers6364 Жыл бұрын

The pine trees were probably used to shield the station sites from cross winds; Certainly Scots Pines were planted for this purpose on the Isle Of Wight and are still there at the former Merstone Station.

@ParkinsonsWalks Жыл бұрын

As good a theory as any I've seen Nathan. Ron

@chriswalford4161 2 жыл бұрын

There used to be a BRS (British Road Services) depot in Mitcheldean. BRS was part of the British Transport Commission, which was the vesting body for the rejuvenation of the nationalised road and rail systems immediately after the war. I don’t know whether there was any token integration of road and rail under the Commissions auspices, but Longhope looks from the map as if it would have been a good transshipment location.

@ParkinsonsWalks 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Chris, I don't think there was much joined up thinking back then, it was more like everyone for them selves. Thanks for an interesting post. Ron

@nickbannister775 11 ай бұрын

Just come across this and here’s a thought, in an annual I think it was called Illustrated Railways dated 1965 or 1966 there is a large article on Grange Court Station and it’s adjoining branch, back then the station boasted four platforms. It also had many back then black and white photos of both lines, obviously I had the annual back then and maybe in an archive somewhere you may find a copy.

@ParkinsonsWalks 11 ай бұрын

Thanks Nick, I'll have a hunt around. Ron

@Randyvanbag Жыл бұрын

If you had walked along the lane by Fold Farm, towards the barns. You would have seen one of the old station masters cabins. We found it when we were kids back in the late 70s/ early 80s. Longhope has definitely changed a lot in the last 20 years!! P.S The tunnel from Longhope to The Lea wasn't filled in. It was bricked up at The Lea end, and the Longhope end was on private property, and they would never let us kids go anywhere near it! 🙈😂

@ParkinsonsWalks Жыл бұрын

Hi Randy, happy days! It is always a shame to miss things of interest on these walks, but without local knowledge they are often hard to find. Ron

@gjamesturner391 3 жыл бұрын

Where you lost it at the deep cutting after Boxbush and Weston under Penyard the line ran along the back of Hildersley Rise where my parents had a bungalow. I can remember seeing a steam train from the house but it was a loooong time ago! Great video!

@ParkinsonsWalks 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Graham. P.W.

@theProgrockor 3 жыл бұрын

What you thought was Longhope station was the goods yard. Station House was built over the trackbed and the station access road. The road you thought was the railway running through their backyard was always a road. If you had walked about 100 metres down that road to a large yard on right and entered you would have been on the site of one the platforms looking across at the main buildings.

@ParkinsonsWalks 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all that information, I will have to go back and take another look. P.W.

@Kenneth47 Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalks The Longhope far side waiting room still stands at 51.868140, -2.450969. The Dean Forest Railway managed to save some materials from the signal box, coping and station.

@ParkinsonsWalks Жыл бұрын

@@Kenneth47 Amazing, don't know how I missed that. I'll take a look next time I'm down that way. Thanks for the info. Ron

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve been searching for the lost railway lines too Parkinson

@ParkinsonsWalks 3 жыл бұрын

A good healthy pastime - mostly. P.W.

@alistersibley2155 Жыл бұрын

@@ParkinsonsWalkshi, I’ve just stumbled across your channel and I love the content. I live in Longhope and the old railway actually cuts across my property. I very good friend of mine has still got the old station in his back garden and he’d be happy to let you take a look around. If you ever fancy doing an add on film on this subject get in touch.

@ParkinsonsWalks Жыл бұрын

@@alistersibley2155 Thank you Alister that is a very kind offer, I've made a note. I hope you continue to enjoy the channel. Ron

@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329 3 жыл бұрын

0:59 this is a tight squeeze to get pass the cows

@ParkinsonsWalks 3 жыл бұрын

You need to size your cow up before you try it!. P.W.

@malcolmclivery3261 4 жыл бұрын

Back in the 90s a small group from Ross headed by Eric Rawlins did a feasibility study on the Wye Valley railway, then we were able to walk most of the line including the tunnels and especially the one at Lea. After several years the group disbanded due to lack of interest.

@ParkinsonsWalks 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic memory Malcolm, lucky you. P.W.

@petercoimbs6349 3 жыл бұрын

There was a halt at weston --under_penyard which has not been mentioned here

@michaelpilling9659 Жыл бұрын

Hello Ron - greetings from Poland I've found, quite by accident, a video you may like to take a look at. "Railway Roundabout 1959 - The Closure Of The Wye Valley Lines". The channel is OakhamRoadRailway, If you've already seen it, I'm sorry to trouble. If you haven't, it may give you inspiration for a lost railway walk.

@ParkinsonsWalks Жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael, nice of you to think of me, I have a feeling I have seen it but I'll have a look. Take care of yourself. Ron