Decades of Steam 1960s

The 1960's were to see the end of steam locomotion and the public railway network in Great Britain. This, the final part of a series of 100% archive film programmes, traces the last years of main line steam. From the standard classes build by 'BR' itself through to one-offs, there were many steam classes still at work in the 1960's, and this programme includes '9fs 'Britannias', West Counties, Jubilees', 'Castles', Gresley-designed Pacifics and many goods and tank engines as they passed into history.

[@watfordcanary]

I got quite emotional at the mention of the last day of steam on the Southern Region. I remember going past Eastleigh the next morning on a school outing to London and seeing row upon row of dead locos.
I also remember the state of the engines in the last year, most vividly Sir Eustace Missenden, Southern Railway hauling a train of rails for the electrification project to Bournemouth as is passed our local recreation ground west of Millbrook station. Very similar condition to the unidentified Merchant Navy in the film. To me as a 10 year old, it felt like an indignity, though I now have a heavily weathered OO model to remember the occasion.

[@rogerwatt8491]

I so prefer videos like this excellent one to those shot today as their very imperfection and the run down state of the locomotives captures the essence of how it was trainspotting back in the '50s and '60s. The amazing quality of today's videos and the always immaculate condition of the locomotives smacks more of visiting a museum (albeit a mobile one!) than experiencing the real thing. That's in no way decrying today's videos or the fantastic preservation movements for which I have the deepest admiration and gratitude . . . it's just not the same.

[@peterrussell830]

Wonderful video, good historical information.

[@anthonycrotaz5256]

Wonderful days travelling around most of British railways behind steam. Fantastic memories. Tony C.

[@atlanticmarine100]

A fascinating documentary, some great footage of rare lines and quality filming.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

Lovely clips, but I must take issue with the oft repeated statement that Richard Beeching (an honest man) was the villan of the piece. No, that was crook and sometime Transport Minister, Ernest Marples.

[@andymoore9977]

Dr Beeching did the job in front of him. He closed down lots of unused unprofitable branch lines. Someone had to do it, it made total sense to save the network.
I was a volunteer guide at a museum for a while a few years ago. The museum told the story of the town and it's port. The town's railway actually closed in 1970, long after the 'Beeching Cuts'. But as soon as the closure was mentioned in my chat 100% of the visitors would nod sagely and 'denounce' the poor guy as some sort of self appointed vandal out to destroy all things British from Fish and Chips to public transport - I even heard the 'Titchfield Thunderbolt' mentioned! The fact was that Beeching kept the line open because with the cold war at its peak the policy was to keep communication links to all ports in good order. But 5 or 6 years later all the freight had moved to the road network, the goods were mostly perishable and BR could not cope anyway. The passenger business had dried up over a decade earlier.
Cars killed the branch lines not Dr Beeching.

[@reynardbizzar5461]

@@andymoore9977yes they did. People turned their back on the railways; oh yes they all turned up on the last day to have a ride, but where were they ordinarily eh? 👺👺👺

[@andymoore9977]

@@reynardbizzar5461 They were in their Ford Cortinas and Minis. So much more convenient than a branch line steam engines.

[@gainsbourg66]

@@andymoore9977 No one had to do it. Roads aren't expected to make a profit - they are totally funded by the taxpayer. Why should railways be expected to make a profit? They are thousands of times more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Those branch lines cost hundreds of billions to build, not to mention thousands of lives, and should be reopened.

[@andymoore9977]

@@gainsbourg66
You are talking about now, I am talking abut then. Why are you trying to gaslight me?
Then - What about all the staff paid to stand around at unused stations? Track maintenance for lines carrying empty trains (wage bills for the crews). How fuel efficient is an empty train. If the train did not run then fuel would be saved, all that coal being burned for no purpose could not have been good for the environment.
Cars were cheaper and more convenient.
I don't think any branch line cost billions to build but they will cost that to reopen.
Now - Cars are cheaper and more convenient. Many lines no longer exist to even reopen. The one near me would cost £1Billion and would link 2 towns one with a population of 30k with one with a population of 17k with one large village in between of 7k. The payback would never happen. Oh, and it would be using old Diesel engines. A fleet of electric buses makes far more sense....,.

[@daystatesniper01]

Oh to see Mallard in BR green again

[@lukegreen5341]

25:53 GREAT SCOTT. It's LNER Gresley A4 Pacific No.4468 Mallard. Thanks The Train Goddess Buddy Amigo Dude Mate. X❤🚂

[@michaelstaley2241]

Lovely days iconic steam traction…😢