184 entries.
wrote on 13 February 2012
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10:07 pm
I stumbled across you via ebay. my mum used to use the Yelverton station and adjoining lines as a matter of course. i sneaked her back there the other day - first time she had been there since 1956. she was knocked out by going back. have found bunch of stills on line from pretty much same place on th platform showing how the platform has decayed over time. I sooooo want to go on the platform and take an up to date shot - I teach biology in Plymouth and this is the PERFECT example of succession - how, if left alone, plants will reclaim what is theirs. I love your site. PS my father worked for BR all his life. David.
wrote on 17 January 2012
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3:26 pm
Thanks for the DVDs. Received the day after posting. Only had a chance to view 5 mins so far but will let you have further feedback when I've watched a bit more! Kind regards, Steve
wrote on 13 October 2011
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12:46 pm
As a train driver who drives all over the south and is constantly seeing traces of all the disused railway lines that once graced the southern area I find Chris`s dvd`s an excellent way of learning all about there history,what shines through also is Chris`s humour,no stone is left unturned,I cant recommend these dvd`s high enough,his knowledge of the railway lines is outstanding.Thanks for many hours of enjoyment watch them
wrote on 9 October 2011
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11:57 pm
Hardham Canal dvd. Really interesting stuff, as always.Your knowledge amazes me. It wont be long before the mouth of the tunnel collapses, by the looks of it, so well done for documenting it before it does!
wrote on 23 July 2011
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6:28 pm
Just finished watching the Uckfield to Lewes dvd's. Very interesting footage. Really felt for you when those guns were going off and for climbing under that bridge! Never mind the endless treks to go and retrieve your car! well done you. Great stuff, especially the bridges around Hamsey. Really enjoyed watching it.
wrote on 12 July 2011
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6:16 pm
Offham Chalk Pits DVD: Never realised all that was there! I would like to go and check it out. Is it easily accessible? didn't look like it to me! Thanks, great DVD as always.
wrote on 7 July 2011
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10:22 am
I really recommend you ask for a copy of Dumpman's demo disc. A great taster of what films are on offer. Even if you're not into trains but just like to see evidence of times gone by. Little snippets of history which will be priceless in years to come. Great commentary by Dumpman too. My favourites so far has to be the Daddy Long Legs dvd and the Kemp Town railway line. Brilliant stuff, keep it up Dumpman!!
wrote on 11 May 2011
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11:02 pm
Hi Chris Many thanks for forwarding the clip – was great to see a bit of Bexhill history (just wish that viaduct at Crowhurst was still standing today). As always I’ve really enjoyed your Midhurst to Petersfield film. I will see that area in a different way next time I’m on the A272. It seems hard to believe that Midhurst was such a railway centre with three lines converging on it. I haven’t had a chance to view the Jack windmill DVD yet but will do so soon. Don’t ever give up – your unique films have given hours of pleasure and are a great way to relax after a stressful day’s work. Best regards C
wrote on 2 May 2011
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9:57 am
I remember walking up to Ingrator Halt from Eggworthy Farm, on the edge of Sampford Spiney then owned by the Campbells. My recollection was that it was just a wooden platform with a wooden hut. The bridges were deliberately destroyed at the time the railway was dismantled - I think to sell the stone, but I was only 14 when the last train ran, and lived in Horrabridge. We were so happy when the mast was built at North Hessary Tor - we could not get a decent TV signal until then. The land round Ingra Tor had a most wonderful variety of lichens. I always regretted not having taken the train ride, but the last time it ran was when I was away at school. I'm following your route with Google Earth open to see how the old route criss-crossed the later one. I wonder whether you have seen the 'Yelverton to Princetown Rails across the Moor' DVD issued by Aarchive. It shows the railway as it was, but I always wondered what it would look like now, 50 odd years later. so your DVD has been a great help to me.
wrote on 28 April 2011
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9:26 pm
Loved the Jack windmill DVD. Highly recommend it. Amazing to see the remains of Duncton Mill next to Jack. Nice one Dumpman!
wrote on 9 March 2011
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12:04 pm
Hi Chris, thank you for the Clayton Tunnel Cottage dvd, which I enjoyed. Another obscure place (although a lot smaller) is the loft above Bexhill West station. (I know you do a video of the branch line - I'm not in the market for a copy just at present but maybe in future). Anyway, years ago now (late 1970's) when the old station was in use for painting theatrical scenery, I was able to have a look in the loft. It is just as impressive and well built as the rest of the station, including a very substantial catwalk across to the clock tower. Best of all, beside the clock mechanism, there are a load of signatures of all the railway staff who got sent up there to wind the clock. Just thought I would let you know about it as it seemed to be very much your sort of thing! The station building is empty at present, waiting for a new tenant. By the way, there are some good photos of the Bexhill West line on the JJ Smith section of the photographic archive on the Bluebell Railway Museum website.
wrote on 18 January 2011
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12:50 pm
Hi Chris..Nice to hear from you..I threw the Chair down an embankment near to West Grinstead Station. I or should I say myself and another chap (The Contractor) took all the chairs up from Southwater Station to Partridge green Stations Bridge only..There was a Track gang about 200 yards ahead of us taking up the track and another gang that was about a mile behind us taking up the sleepers.. Maybe the chair that you found is the same one and just maybe someone else found it and carried it to where you found it and couldnt carry it any longer being as they weigh almsost half a hundredweight.. I do know that the date was welded on and a not part of the actual casting process. I have only at present watched the dvd up to West Grinstead Station which I thoroughly enjoyed as memories of myself looking out of the window at that Station are still vivid of the old black steam train itself...Thanks for writing as I have great interest not only in Railways but just about everything Regards Stan.
wrote on 2 January 2011
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4:21 pm
i love your films very intresting , i have walked and explored alot of these places too , and there si loads mor ei want to see pls keep up teh good work
wrote on 19 November 2010
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10:25 pm
If you want to branch out onto the water then how about the Ouse navigation which ends right under the Ouse Valley Viaduct at 1 end and Newhaven harbour at the other. The navigation has never been officially abandoned and there are plenty of interesting things to see. The navigation passes right by Sheffield Park station and through the area known as Barcombe mills. You get a whole new perspective filming from the river. Keep the filming up. Redshirt
wrote on 18 November 2010
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12:56 pm
HI I have recently moved to the uk from Austraila, I am a keen Tunnel investigator in my Home province of Queensland, I am very interested in getting you involved in my latest tunneling project, I could really use your expert local advice. please contact me on my email address, I am also interested in setting up a uk website detailing all my Aus exploits. Could you help me with this???. Tunnel on Dude. Ed.
wrote on 5 October 2010
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7:46 pm
We came across Chris' films as we were once lucky enough to live in the house where Magnus Volk lived and although we had read a book about his life, we were really interested to learn more about his invention, the "Daddy Long Legs". The film gave a really fascinating insight into his work and what a brilliant inventor he was. The footage is amazing and the commentary superb. We have since become addicted to these films and Chris really makes you feel you are right there next to him on his many journeys. The brilliant thing is, we're not getting covered in mud, stung by nettles, chased off land by angry farmers, etc. etc. Long may you continue to produce such interesting films and thank you for keeping a record of our local history, especially all those places which fall victim to the bulldozer.
wrote on 11 September 2010
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12:24 pm
Well what can I say!! These films are bloomin marvellous. I was not sure what to expect, but these are professional quality and with such informative and funny commentry all along the way. I have found myself now using terms like "Let's see what we can see" at work!!! A wonderful gift for anyone, these really are worht the money and I am going to order more!. Thanks for being the "Schoolboy" for all of us and not getting bitten by dogs too much
wrote on 10 September 2010
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1:02 pm
hey chris how are you can you please come to the shop TIMESLIP DVDS BRIGHTONas ive sold all those films you left and have another order so call me on 07909847097 to arrange times etc nice one mick timeslip
wrote on 20 August 2010
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12:47 pm
What a great site! Any chance of any Hampshire films please? I'm glad I'm not the only one who drives miles out of their way to trace old railway lines!
wrote on 21 July 2010
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9:59 pm
Hi Chris - another triumph with the Midhurst-Chichester DVD, lots of memories there. The fire in the C2X that fell in the river in 1951 burned for longer than it might have because two of us went up there each night to ensure the gravity feed from the upset tender and first wagon continued to function. Eventually got caught and thrown off the site. I consider you were very badly treated by the Cocking station owners. If they really didn't want you there, a polite no would have been enough. To ignore letters like that only displays very poor breeding. I am not usually so bold but somewhere in the mid 1970s I just drove up to the front door of the station and asked if I could take some photographs. The owners, possibly the same ones as now, possibly not, were out but their son, then about 10, took me round and I have nice ones of the front and rear elevations when the conversion was just about finished. He then took me INSIDE but with warnings that his folks might not want it photographed. I should have sneaked a few but at the time I had an old SLR with a shutter release that sounded like working the bolt on a 303. I can remember a beautiful galleried lounge, some serious money spent there. Just the pinprick of all those missed opportunities with the camera. Looking forward to the Petersfield DVD. Keep it up and don't let the NIMBYs get you down. Best wishes, Alan.