Lots of closed lines in the West Midlands are now opening and being used by trams

What a turnaround as of 20th November 2021 the Exeter to Oakhampton line will reopen😊😊

"We do not close any passenger lines. At least we only do so at the behest of the Minister". What a classic politician's answer

Sir Henry Johnson was like pinocchio. Trains were deliberately retimed to miss connections. Point in case being the S+D at templecoombe. They actively discouraged passengers in order to close the lines that they did not want.

they should of moth balled them not sell the land and rip bridges down we need all these railways now.

Closing down lines because they're "not profitable" is to miss the point. Feeder lines make the bigger lines much more profitable. Expecting all necessary lines to make money is like putting the cart before the horse.

That br chairman new exactly what was going on

Interesting to see Geoffrey Freeman Allen, one of the great railway journalists. Being interviewed in the Ian Allan Group's Pullman car Malaga, at Shepperton I believe

Nice cab view from the Bubble Car passing the Warship on the ballast train

Wonderfully clear and succinct explanation from Geoffrey Freeman Allen of how rail cuts increase the costs to the remaining traffic and helps deter their custom. A vicious cycle indeed.

The beeching cuts are now viewed by the majority of people as a complete disaster.

Closing masses of lines was nothing short of gross negligence.

The Ind Coope Brewery truck at12:52is noteworthy; a Dodge with I think Cummins V8 engine. Very very rare to get one of them on film

Fascinating look at the way of life 50+ years ago

The ironic thing is, the line to Oakhampton has now Re-opened to passengers, Network Rail bought the line from Cowley Bridge junction to Meldon Quarry from it's last (private) owner & then spent a fair amount of money relaying the track, I would rather see closed lines reopened than Billions of pounds of Taxpayer & (some) private money being spent on HS2.

wow, I've never seen the Thames logo like that, in B&W and not filling the screen.
(Googled...) used in '68 and '69 then Thames began colour broadcasting colour in November '69. This clips looks like some scenes where recently digitally tinted with colour, like the reporter's coat and the overalls. 13:51
Maybe early colour TV varied depending on the technology of the cameras used to film... looks nice though!

And the result is our very heavy lorry clogged impossible road system we have today.

No leaves on the line at 3.00min.

This is the first time in my life that I have ever watched anything recorded in black & white & yellow.

- Tell me, do you think we will ever have next day parcel delivery?
- Ha ha, gracious me, no, impossible! The very idea!!
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