Abandoned Railway from Monmouth
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Monmouth when it was a Live railway actually had two stations. The first was built as a tempory expedient, but was then found to be indispensable. Built by the Severn and Wye railway company, it was in later years taken over by the GWR. It is now fading quietly into the landscape but still has a number of amazing features to make an exploration worthwhile - or just watch the video.
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My passion has been walking, a while ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and walking does not come naturally any more, however the more I walk the easier it gets, for now anyway. I hope these videos will inspire others to keep going and hanging on in there. I try to cover variety of subjects, such as old abandoned railways, and canals. I love the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, with its rich history and I usually take my camera whenever we holiday in the southwest and Cornwall. The rugged coastal paths are a magnet for anyone who loves dramatic scenery. I live close to the Cotswolds Hills and have done quite a lot of walking around there, recently, following some of the lovely rivers. Hill walking on the Malvern’s is a challenge but worth the effort. I try not to let Parkinson’s get me down and take every opportunity to get out with my camera and film, I hope you enjoy watching. P.W. (Ron)
Really enjoyed watching your lovely video. Love the steam train 🚂. A big thumbs up from Chris and Jane 😊
Ahoy narrowboat Poppy, lovely to hear from you Chris and Jane, glad you enjoyed the film. Stay dry. Ron
Hello Ron - greetings from Poland
What a fantastic video. Thanks so much Ron for your intrepid leadership. The film brought back many happy very young childhood memories. Incredible steel bridge and that magnificent viaduct taking the line into The Forest. It's wonderful to see how nature has gradually taken over the stone work. What a surprise find the tunnel was. Your voice was quite excited as I'm sure you didn't expect to find anything. Brilliant! Stay safe please and love to Pauline
Hi Michael, you know how I like to stir up those precious memories. Wonderful. Pauline says hello. Ron
Fantastic bridges. What a shame not used more today.
Hi Mike, It would be wonderful to travel over that stone viaduct. Ron
These are brilliant videos Ron, really love the calm feel of these walks and seeing all the details! Really feels like we’re there with you
Keep up the great work! Plenty of old railway lines to see!
Nice to have you along. Take care. Ron
Autumnal scenes already Ron! Although I have visited Monmouth a few times (good independent shops and Wales's oldest theatre) I know very little about the railways in Wales. It is also well outside my own RUclips area, so I have not explored it, so this wonderful video (and Andrew's brilliant text) covered the gaps in my knowledge. I don't think it will be long before English residents will need passports (and visas?) to gain entry to Wales, after they have voted for independence. I love the country though, and I have throughly enjoyed what I have seen along the early part of The Severn Way. I follow a couple of Welsh RUclipsrs who are helping me to get to grips with the Welsh language, something I feel that I really need to learn, as a neighbouring country's resident. Fantastic stuff and some brilliant finds too! As others have said that vaiduct was a thing of great beauty. We all appreciate your amazing efforts to bring these detective finds to our screens. Thank you Ron, and do take care, Best Wishes, Paul.
Hi Paul, rain on the way, I might get the chance to catch up on some video watching. You would love the photo opportunities around those stone arches and the river. Good luck with the language. Ron
That was a good one, Ron. That viaduct is an artistic treasure, as nature gradually takes it over. I wonder what its fate will be. A great end to the video with that surprise discovery of the tunnel, too. Thank you!
Hi Jim, lovely to hear from you, I see you are working hard producing films for your channel, deserves a mention in the vlog I recon'. They are very uplifting, no pun intended. Keep flying. Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks Thanks, Ron. Like you, I believe in keeping on as much as possible. I hope to have a good fly on my 82nd birthday coming up on October 12 (weather permitting, of course).
Superb autumn colours
Hi Chris, it was a beautiful day to be out. Ron
That viaduct was something special Ron. There doesn't seem to be much masonary left above the arches. It's not going to last for too many more winters.
I think you are right Simon; glad I saw it when I did. Keep swinging. Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks I just find it all very sad. Still, when we aren't permitted to drive cars anymore they will have to reinstate some of these treasures!
Well done Ron, that a really nice walk and hats off to you you found everything that I am aware is left in the area. After Closure I believe the goods yard was used by a Coal Merchants and an Building Supply company hence some of the modern buildings. Later the site was used by Gwent County Council as a yard area by the Highways department whilst they did some road improvements I believe in the early 1970's and that accounts for the tarmacked surface area.
Monmouth was at the centre of a number of a number of railway schemes to places as far away as South Wales, London, Liverpool and most interestingly Northampton. Closer to home Bristol, Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford figured in even later proposed schemes. In the end the first line to reach Monmouth was in 1810 a tramway, later converted to a railway from Coleford via Wyesham a line that was removed from Wyesham to Whitecliff Quarry as early as 1917.
On the 20th August 1853 the Coleford, Monmouth, Usk & Pontypool Railway was incorporated as a single-line railway from the Newport Abergavenny & Hereford Railway at Little Mill Junction to Wyesham to gain access to Coleford completed to Monmouth Troy on the 12th October 1857. The line from what became Wyesham Junction to Wye Valley Junction which was just East of the later Tutshill Halt where trains ran through to Chepstow on the 1st of July 1861.
The track layout at Monmouth May Hill consisted of a Single Platform Passenger Line with a Goods Loop with a Shunting Neck at each end and a siding off the Loop for the Monmouth Coal and Iron Company. (Amendment - On the 1st April 1942 a new siding was added for the Ministry Of Food this required a ground frame to be built it was 33 yards East of the Station with a Trailing Junction from the station in the Up Direction).
The Track Layout at Monmouth Troy was a much more elaborate concern, there was a two platform station to the East of Which was a Double Junction where the Line fro Wyesham Junction (The Branch) joined the Main Line, before the river crossing the two sides of the Double Track Branch became Single Line. The Main Line continued as Double Track towards the River Bridge becoming single just before it.
There was a trailing Junction off the Up Main into the Goods Yard which branched out into 6 sidings number 5 had a goods shed on it and number 6 had the cattle pens on it there was also a shunting neck towards where the Main Line became Single track.
The line to Usk was Double track into the Tunnel but one line was a siding the other a through running line, the Down Line continuing as a siding..
The Chepstow Branch had its own Passenger Service that Terminated at Monmouth Troy Station whilst on the Main Line trains had a variety of through or short workings however three times a day there were trains in the station enabling connections to be made in all directions. If anyone wants any further information on specific points please send me a message and I will do my best. Andrew.
Andrew, I don't know how you do it, you have provided more information than I was able to find in all the books I read before and after filming. Thank you for a good read. Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks Hi Ron, Your welcome, there's some good comments again this week, I did not get a chance to find out about the area until reading in bed last night so it's very likely I have left bits out, if there's anything important I find is worth a comment then I will put a second post on. Take care, Andrew.
Absolutely fantastic Andrew. Thanks so much for the information.
@@michaelpilling9659 Hi Michael, You are very welcome, I only managed to get to read up on the line in bed last night. Since then I have found other details but there more to do with operations at Monmouth Troy and also opening a closing dates so I have not posted them. If there's anything else you want to know then fire away and I will do my best. Hope you are well and things are stable in Poland. Best Wishes, Andrew.
Thanks for your response Andrew. I have an affection for the line that ran through The Forest. My mum was born and raised in Symonds Yates and was told as a child about her journies to Monmouth to go to school. Would this have been to Troy Station or am I talking about a different line?
Another forgotten railway line beautifully recorded for posterity. Well done, RON. I enjoyed this one from beginning to end. Keep them coming! Stay safe, Ron.
Thanks Ron, it was a beautiful sight. Keep smiling. Ron
Good morning Ron. Educational and entertaining in equal measure. A touch of the Barry Bucknell’s too - who’d have thought drilling a hole would stop the bridge crack so effectively. Must try that.
NB: For viewers under 70, Barry Bucknell was TV’s first DIY celebrity.
Hi Rodney, you are in danger of revealing you age, of course I've never heard of Mr Bucknell. Keep smiling. Ron
Hi Ron. What a wonderful walk. There's something about autumnal colours against a blue sky that's a treat to the retina! OVM was a bit put off by the "NO DOGS" sign, I had to explain that it didn't look that they wanted people either, and that seemed to calm her down...a bit. As always the arched bridges are a marvel, to think they were built without the help of modern equipment. That being said, modern equipment hasn't seemed to add to much to the cause of architecture as far as I can see. Thanks for persisting with the tunnel quest...I think you may. need to pack a welding torch next trip there, as well as the cheese sandwiches! Have a good week, I hope the weather continues to cooperate.
Hi James, great to hear from you. The weather that day was just right for walking, we don't get too many of those. I guess you have settled back into the routine at school. Soon be Christmas. Have fun. Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks ...OVM has already been bugging me about your Christmas card. She's very retentive when it comes to people she likes!
Hi Ron! What a lovely video. In my view there is no comparison to the beauty of the Wye Valley. I could sense by the tone of your voice that you were mesmerized by the surroundings. I have had the good fortune to visit this area several times and have always fancied exploring the viaduct, so thank you for discovering the path for me! Further south in Redbrook, there is an iron bridge that carried the Wye Valley Railway across the river. The bridge is now a walking path that leads to a delightful pub called the Boat Inn. Sounds like a good excuse for another Parkinson's Walk! All the best, Ian
Hi Ian, I have filmed that bridge in Redbrook, you are right it is beautiful. It is awaiting edit at the moment. Take care. Ron
Thank you! How dreadful, another county town without what would now be an absolute gem of a journey! Is this film called " The Bridge on the River Wye?"
'The bridge on the River Wye!!!' Christina, go and stand at the back of the class. - Loved it, you have made the next Vlog. Take care and thank you. Ron
@@ParkinsonsWalks haha 😂 you're welcome!
It would have been such a wonderful Welsh (and partially English) railway from Chepstow to Monmouth - especially with autumnal colour and a huge tourism draw - after all the Wye valley was where world tourism started. Cheers, Christina.
Even though Monmouth was originally the county town the actual county town is usk oddly enough.
Hello Ron and thanks for posting the excellent video. This is an area I know very well and, as you found, is great for photography when the weather is right. I have been to the Troy station site a few times and was aware that the tunnel was visible. I was, therefore, talking to the telly screen urging you to carry on when I thought you were going to call it a day. Mind you, I know Parkinson's Walks are renowned for not giving up without a fight so shame on me for ever doubting that you would make it! Andrew has done his usual top job in filling in the detail. There are a few bits I could add, but I think he has given us plenty to go on with. Moving on to the subject of finding artefacts though: a couple of weeks ago I was walking the old S&WR line from Mierystock Bridge to Serridge Junction (which you have covered in a previous video) and came across a large area next to the track bed that had been churned up by wild Boar. For channel members who don't know, these animals are prevalent throughout the Forest of Dean and are very destructive when hunting. They dig up massive areas of land with their snouts in search of food leaving what looks like a world war 1 bomb site - I have seen village greens destroyed by these creatures. Anyway, back to the story. As I passed by I noticed a lump of metal in the ground which turned out to be a large washer that would have been used behind a fishplate bolt. Amazing that it had laid hidden there for around 70 years until the boar came along and started digging. So Ron, I think that you ought to investigate getting a wild boar for a pet as they seem to be the ideal machine for unearthing artefacts. You will need a pretty strong lead when you take it out for a walk though lol. Still, probably a better use for them than turning them into sausages....... Best wishes, Trev.
Trev, my wife and I were in stitches reading that. Thanks for posting. Ron
Another enjoyable walk! Interesting to see much of it from those angles. I’m familiar with some of it from driving out from the Forest onto the A40 southbound. You can still see some the Troy station building - but not there; it’s been transferred to Winchcombe station on the GWSR.
Thanks John, I had forgotten about the station move. Ron
Beautiful video,Ron, I think there would be transverse timbers above that curved ironwork along the viaduct, which would carry the rails I would imagine
Hi Michael, Your spot on with your assumption, there were also wooden cross members to maintain the gauge between the rail carrying timbers. Andrew.
Brilliant, I knew Andrew would help me out, he's a marvel. Ron
Hi Ron! I hope all is well with you. When I see "tunnel" on a map, it's pretty exciting. Thanks for getting us there. I love this time of year too, so much nicer for sleeping, and I can hide my ball in the leaves and pretend that it's hard to find it again. It's overcast here today but you've certainly got me thinking about a walk...if I can get my lazy friend out of bed. He claims five-thirty on weekdays means 7:30 on weekends...? Not sure I understand that. Take care Ron, Sumac OVM.
Hi Sumac, James is just trying to get you to give his face a good lick, he really enjoys that and will spring out of bed immediately, try it.
Enjoy your walk - eventually. Your great friend Ron
Morning Ron, the railways gods were certainly with you this time. It was lovely to see autumn in full flow and the sports fields looking so green.
It was always my favourite time of the year to play football, the heat of summer gone, frozen pitches of winter yet to arrive and the wild winds of spring long in the distance. The only problem with parks football was the dogs, well what they left behind in the goalmouth anyway, it was always the first thing I checked as goalkeeper!!
You captured the viaducts superbly through the branches, with the mist as a backdrop. The steel viaduct looked like something from a Hornby Dublo catalogue; it just needed a coat of yellow art deco paint. The vines look to have made headway into the other stone viaduct and over time will severely weaken it, which would be a great shame.
I did a bit of searching and discovered that Troy station was dismantled and moved to the Gloucester and Warwickshire line and is now at Winchcombe station, a Trojan station no doubt (groans in the back ground!! …..) The tunnel which your great persistence found is called Gibraltar tunnel as it crosses the hill of the same name. I wondered why this might be and came up this theory; Monnow could also be spelled Mono, one meaning of Mono in Spanish is Monkey and Gibraltar is famous for its monkeys. Another meaning is boilersuit but Boilersuit Hill doesn’t sound quite so good!!
Autumn has also arrived here, I awoke this morning to find a sprinkling of snow high up on the mountain tops, it won’t last, we’re bound to get our Indian summer. Hopefully more will be on our way as it keeps our river, the Monachil, running all year round.
Good luck from Spain!!
PS: For some unknown reason the youtube gods weren’t good to me and promptly deleted my comment. I’ve typed it in a document this time just in case!!
David, I hate it when a comment disappears, so frustrating, especially after your very informative post. Stay well, nearly time to get the sledge out. Ron
Thanks Ron, that was a really interesting walk.
Thanks Derek, nice to have you along. Ron
Looks good - I like Monmouth - I’m gonna do this one👍🏻 many thanks 🙏🏻
Hi Donni there are some wonderful photos to be had there. Ron
Over 60 years ago when we lived at Walford south of Ross on Wye we would catch the train from Ross at Walford Halt to Monmouth, change there and get the train to Chepstow. Exciting times for a young boy!
It would be wonderful if we could still do it Graham, it would make a very scenic rail route. May be one day. Ron
You took some really lovely shot there, great work.
Hi Andrew, it wasn't difficult, it was a beautiful place. Ron
FAB. Me other half has been begging to go there for the roman ruins. Nice 2 see I'll have something to look for as well. Cheers Parky
Lots of history around there, have fun. Parky
Hi Ron, a 'voyage of discovery'.
I am just catching up after my own visit to Wales, but the other end of the country based in Porthmadog for my annual railway pilgrimage: -
Day one on the way there - Cambrian Heritage Railway, Llynclys South railway station
Day two - by rail Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno through the longest single track tunnel (2.5 miles) in the UK and along the Conwy valley and estuary. Including the Great Orm Tramway/cable car Llandudno, then return
Day three - by rail Welsh Highland Railway Porthmadog to Caernarfon hauled by a South African Bayer-Garratt, walk around Caernarfon Castle and return
Day four - Bala Lake Railway, steam hauled narrow gauge but along the Ruabon-Barmouth Great Wester track bed including the longest narrow gauge straight (1.5 miles) in the UK
Day five - Llangollen Railway from Llangollen to Carrog and return alongside the River Dee in a DMU, and a brief visit to the Llangollen canal, then home
Wow, that is what you call a rail tour, fabulous. Ron
In my last year at work I travelled through Monmouth and then down the Wye Valley. I saw the steel bridge and the magnificent viaduct from the car each day but I had no idea that you could get so close to it all. Thanks for showing me that you can ! Brilliant adventure; many thanks.
Don't forget to take your camera (Phone) Philip. There are some beautiful shots to be had. Ron
Wonderful exploration of splendid railway architecture and some superb Wye valley vistas. It brought back memories of my own trips to the area a decade or so ago, especially a walk along the track of the former Chepstow branch from Redbrook. The views from the bridge are fantastic, though I did not venture to the site of Troy station, and so missed the entrance to Troy tunnel - which I assumed had been absorbed into the present road tunnel. Apart from the ever-present traffic noise, Monmouth is a delightful town, greatly enhanced by the Wye, Monmow and surrounding wooded hills. Thanks for a great video! I must pay it a visit soon.
Time to get the winter walking boots out Malcolm. Keep walking. Ron
Excellent Ron. Really enjoyed it. The steel viaduct was really interesting. When was it built ? I'm also guessing that the stone viaduct had a steel structure over the river .
I bet Andrew knows Pete, stand by. Ron
Apparently, there’s a secondary wall blocking the way past the tunnel’s entrance. And now the way up onto the stone viaduct from the Troy side, there’s a solid wall of steel. So you can’t even see the viaduct.
Health and safety rules I guess. Ron
You should try sections of the pontypool - usk - Monmouth railway too, there's lots still to see.
Junction at little mill ( live though)
The old station yard usk
The tunnel usk
The bridge over the usk.
And much more in the countryside.
Thanks for the tip, I'll take a look. Ron
Hi again Ron you can actually walk though under the road bridge by the sports ground as I've walked through there myself
Hi Gareth, I would have loved to have done that, but I couldn't find a way in. It looked as if the school had fenced it in. Thanks for the post. Ron
Great film Ron. It reminds me of Backney Bridge Viaduct at Foy. Have you filmed that one yet? That would be interesting.
Hi, that is Foy as in Cornwall? I will be down that way early next year. Thanks. Ron
Foy Nr Ross - Got it. Ron
Ron, a marvelous expedition as always.
I did scroll down to see Mr. Merriman's description of the area (I knew I would find his entry). Very interesting. Just a couple of questions came to me that weren't addressed in his write up: I am assuming the missing link of the stone viaduct over the river was a iron bridge? Just curious why they removed that and not the one on the leg you crossed over?
Just a guess, but could the iron "ties" actually have been a corrugated bridge deck for strength? The ballast would have laid over it all and the tracks and ties laid on that.
On a separate side note - We live in New Jersey in a town in Ocean County (obviously along the Atlantic). Immediately north of our Ocean County lies Monmouth County. Of course, the town of Monmouth Junction (yes, a rail junction) lies in.....Middlesex County to the immediate northwest. Yes, the colonial ancestors felt homesick as it shows in many of their naming conventions.
Hi Charles, provided Andrew gets to read your comment he will have a definitive answer. If they had left the other bridge they would have had to maintain the arches to keep them safe. Cost again. I think the rails were attached to linear sleepers a bit like broad gauge. Look after yourself. Ron
Hi Mr Patterson, I have just read your comment, I can confirm that the missing river bridge on the Wye Valley Line was a Steel Span Bridge this had been removed by 1979 at the latest. I have not been able to find the exact date, I believe the stone arches were in a less than healthy state when the line was closed, I am surprised they have not been demolished yet and would not be if they are in the near future. My guess is that the Steel Span Bridge was taken away when the track was removed and that may well have been in a poor state as well.
The bridge on the Ross Line is known as a Bowstring Girder Bridge. If you need any further help please ask and I will do my best, your post was very interesting. Regards, Andrew.
@@ParkinsonsWalks Hi Ron, I meant to let you know I did see Mr Paterson's comment and having given him the answer to his question. Regards, Andrew.
@@andrewmerriman7133 Thanks Andrew, you get lots of praise on the channel, well deserved. Thank you. Ron
They drilled the holes in the bridge to stop the cracks.
Thanks for that, it was suspected. Looking closely some cracks kept going, or were drilled in the wrong place. Ron