We travelled this line regularly from 1975 on, and it felt like you were 'cabbing it' if you sat in the first seats behind the driver, as the old DMU's had large glass panels that enabled you to see the same view as him. Notice also the numerous milk tanks at St. Ives waiting to be taken to the London 'bottling plants'. The railways lost the milk-traffic around 1980 and were replaced by the horrid Wincanton lorries we now queue behind on the A30/A303 !
Great memories of this stretch of coast Back in about 1960, walked from St Ives to Hayle estuary along path and beaches where a chap rowed me across to near the old power station. Funny though, can't remember the trip back. As a Manchester boy, never thought one day I would live in Cornwall but now been here for 36 years. Best move ever.
What a fabulous historical film. Someone who loves his job and enjoys doing it. Reminiscent of the days of the S&D with Peter, Donald & Ivo, and friends. A great time when todays vandals hadn't even been thought of and 'vandalism' was a word hardly heard.. Brilliant.
I traveled this route several times every year between 1988 and 2002. I think they were using the same rolling stock as in this film! lol Oh- there's nothing like it when St Ives first comes into view. Magic.
Lovely, old class 120 DMMU, not one was preserved alas, due to blue asbestos. Smashing views too, typical old Cornish Driver. Nice old boy, there were many like him on the old Southern Region too, where I worked. Now all replaced by privateering pirates, and snivellers, and souless modern plastic trains like the 375s sad to say. So glad I'm retired.
The year 1977 seems a very long time ago is almost 😅 half a century time ago. Now there are 2 car class 150s on the St Erth to St Ives route runs 7 days a week and public holidays except Christmas 🎅 Day and Boxing 🥊 Day. Single track on the St Ives route. 😀
Travelled that route yesterday and st erth station hasn't changed at all! Wicked to see a diesel loco at the station and I do believe that was a class 101 working the branch line.
@BudgieFan39 It's actually a Swindon built "Cross country" class 120 DMU with what looks like a class 118 center trailer. This is unit P554 which was listed in 1976 as a two car unit based at Plymouth so the middle car is an addition. Note also the front has a plated over 4 digit headcode panel with two marker lights.
In 1977, a single from St. Erth to St. Ives was 28p, a return probably 50p. In 2013, a return is £4. It's a magical train, too, leaving St. Erth as just one coach and arriving at St. Ives as three coaches!
The series was Walking Westward made by Westward TV in the 1970s. Original footage would have been shot on film and 'might' have been transferred to VT. The original - if it still exists - will be held by the SWFTA film Archive in Plymouth
Thing is saab900se There are devices in the track now that dump the brake if the driver is exceeding 10 mph when approaching a terminus. Also the train has a Vacuum brake, completely different system to the D & M 3 step air brake in operation on the units these days.
Would have actually been quite funny if he'd said "Good morning, Mr Palmer, do you mind I ride in the cab with you?" and the driver had said "Yes I do mind, fuck off!".
If only the price was the same! Ridiculous now. The tourists put the up. Cornwall would be better of with out them (speaking from a point of view where tourism in no way improves my life in cornwall).
+TheVintageStuffGuy1998 well even with the billions bought into the county through tourism Cornwall somehow manages to remain the POOREST part of the UK - I dread to think what would happen without it !
43 years later and nothing much has changed. The line still exists (good!) and still no electrification far and wide (not good), not even on the main line (lousy).
no vandalism in the 1970's (!)(?) - history appears to point to the fact that the 1970's were a very crime filled decade as anyone who went to football matches back then will testify.Still nostalgia is not what it used to be eh?
This copyright in this footage is held by the South West Film and Television Archive. Please contact info@swfta.org.uk in order to continue showing this material.
Great footage. Problem with St Ives is its not a real place. All the shops are for tourists, nobody can afford the properties on average wages and there are no well paid jobs there. You need to be at least a doctor or something to afford anything in Cornwall. Joke of a place. I used to go on holiday there 30 years ago as a young man, and the last time I went to St Ives I was delivering carpets, but when on holiday I just got the feeling that the people were only friendly because you're spending money in the gift shops and pubs etc. It all feels fake. Cornwall is also the only place in the UK where holidaymakers actually try to convince themselves and others that they live there when they visit, and go on about how they are on first name terms with people who work in the shops, and know all about this that and the other, local events etc. Why would you be like that if you are not a local ? Complete idiots.
Lelant - My Home Station until 1992. And so much better, the monstrosity that is Lelant Saltings Station didn't exist. Wonderful find of a film.
We travelled this line regularly from 1975 on, and it felt like you were 'cabbing it' if you sat in the first seats behind the driver, as the old DMU's had large glass panels that enabled you to see the same view as him. Notice also the numerous milk tanks at St. Ives waiting to be taken to the London 'bottling plants'. The railways lost the milk-traffic around 1980 and were replaced by the horrid Wincanton lorries we now queue behind on the A30/A303 !
Great memories of this stretch of coast
Back in about 1960, walked from St Ives to Hayle estuary along path and beaches where a chap rowed me across to near the old power station. Funny though, can't remember the trip back. As a Manchester boy, never thought one day I would live in Cornwall but now been here for 36 years. Best move ever.
Classic video....used to watch Clive's journeys as a kid in the 60's.....bring'em back!
What a fabulous historical film. Someone who loves his job and enjoys doing it. Reminiscent of the days of the S&D with Peter, Donald & Ivo, and friends. A great time when todays vandals hadn't even been thought of and 'vandalism' was a word hardly heard.. Brilliant.
Wish the last sentence was true, but vandalism was certainly rife in the 1970s and even before. In fact I would say it is noticeably better nowadays.
Still a beautiful branch line.
And 47 years on it's still cheap .... 67p single from Carbis Bay to St Ives with my Old Fogey's Railcard.
I traveled this route several times every year between 1988 and 2002. I think they were using the same rolling stock as in this film! lol Oh- there's nothing like it when St Ives first comes into view. Magic.
Lovely, old class 120 DMMU, not one was preserved alas, due to blue asbestos. Smashing views too, typical old Cornish Driver. Nice old boy, there were many like him on the old Southern Region too, where I worked. Now all replaced by privateering pirates, and snivellers, and souless modern plastic trains like the 375s sad to say. So glad I'm retired.
The southern was my favourite.
The year 1977 seems a very long time ago is almost 😅 half a century time ago. Now there are 2 car class 150s on the St Erth to St Ives route runs 7 days a week and public holidays except Christmas 🎅 Day and Boxing 🥊 Day. Single track on the St Ives route. 😀
I used to see Clive at Somerset's cricket ground in Taunton. He was a lovely chap who always had time for everyone.
Travelled that route yesterday and st erth station hasn't changed at all! Wicked to see a diesel loco at the station and I do believe that was a class 101 working the branch line.
@BudgieFan39 It's actually a Swindon built "Cross country" class 120 DMU with what looks like a class 118 center trailer. This is unit P554 which was listed in 1976 as a two car unit based at Plymouth so the middle car is an addition. Note also the front has a plated over 4 digit headcode panel with two marker lights.
Great driving.
This chap knew his train well and knew how to drive it :)
superb stuff i think me mums on the last shot sat down!!!!!
In 1977, a single from St. Erth to St. Ives was 28p, a return probably 50p. In 2013, a return is £4. It's a magical train, too, leaving St. Erth as just one coach and arriving at St. Ives as three coaches!
And didn't go through Carbis Bay Station either!
Very nice video. Brings memories from our weddingtrip to St. Ives in 1986
The series was Walking Westward made by Westward TV in the 1970s. Original footage would have been shot on film and 'might' have been transferred to VT. The original - if it still exists - will be held by the SWFTA film Archive in Plymouth
many thanks. I grew up there. now in NZ
Clive Gunnel from TSW! Brilliant chap.
£5 now - flat rate which ever station you get off between St.Erth and St.Ives making it one of THE most expensive journeys in the UK!
What a great watch 👍👏🏻
Love the Video, I go to St Ive's every year
We lived at 71 Garden Close in St Ives in 1977
so so strange seeing where i love to go on holiday the most in the 70s, makes me excited ngl
It's £4 now if anyone is interested. Still better than trying to find a parking space in St.Ives in the Summer!
I used to travel this line behind a steam loco,back in the 1950's
Excellent
Whatta lovely job a train driver is but the chances of you getting that job these days is like winning the lottery!!
i live in St . Ives
Thing is saab900se There are devices in the track now that dump the brake if the driver is exceeding 10 mph when approaching a terminus. Also the train has a Vacuum brake, completely different system to the D & M 3 step air brake in operation on the units these days.
Sadly Clive passed away in Feb 2006
Would have actually been quite funny if he'd said "Good morning, Mr Palmer, do you mind I ride in the cab with you?" and the driver had said "Yes I do mind, fuck off!".
Does anyone know what music comes on at Lelant station? What's the name of the music?
What a fine advertisement for our national railway. Is the full programme available on Super 8 or Betamax?
Jesus, could that ticket window be any smaller?
well 28p . wow !!!!!!!
The drivers a proper Cornishman :D
Yes, quite a rarity today! These days, people who have recently moved to Cornwall regard themselves as Cornish and are clearly deluded!
Is the conductor at St IvesJohn Williams ?
Bloody hell. Was that Clive Gunnell from Westward TV? I wonder if he is still alive.
+Filton Kingswood he died in 2006 aged 80....
can you still get permission to ride in the cab?? great video
Lelant was once so nice...
28p!? Is there anywhere on the network where you can go for that price now!? :D
There is a 55p train between the 2 smethwick stations in Birmingham
If only the price was the same! Ridiculous now. The tourists put the up. Cornwall would be better of with out them (speaking from a point of view where tourism in no way improves my life in cornwall).
+TheVintageStuffGuy1998 well even with the billions bought into the county through tourism Cornwall somehow manages to remain the POOREST part of the UK - I dread to think what would happen without it !
Without tourists the line would of closed down years ago, viva la tourist
Who is this guy, anyway?
43 years later and nothing much has changed. The line still exists (good!) and still no electrification far and wide (not good), not even on the main line (lousy).
The car park at St Erth has changed a lot in recent years...
The car park at St Erth has changed a lot in recent years...
5:20 - That's my old house!!
no vandalism in the 1970's (!)(?) - history appears to point to the fact that the 1970's were a very crime filled decade as anyone who went to football matches back then will testify.Still nostalgia is not what it used to be eh?
As now it depends where you live but many places that were virtually crime free then aran't any more.
1
5:20 - my old house!
This is in cornwall i live very near st erth.
Tiny ticket office Windows
A rather poor view of the trip. I can only believe that they teleported from Lelant to St Ives.
This copyright in this footage is held by the South West Film and Television Archive. Please contact info@swfta.org.uk in order to continue showing this material.
Your a cheery soul making this country better.....
It's very obviously not Australia...british accents, british rail logo etc. Dear oh dear!
I do not remember posting this message. Someone’s comment must’ve annoyed me - can’t find it though so they’ve obviously deleted it.
28p for a single! LOL
Umm
.
Great footage. Problem with St Ives is its not a real place. All the shops are for tourists, nobody can afford the properties on average wages and there are no well paid jobs there. You need to be at least a doctor or something to afford anything in Cornwall. Joke of a place. I used to go on holiday there 30 years ago as a young man, and the last time I went to St Ives I was delivering carpets, but when on holiday I just got the feeling that the people were only friendly because you're spending money in the gift shops and pubs etc. It all feels fake. Cornwall is also the only place in the UK where holidaymakers actually try to convince themselves and others that they live there when they visit, and go on about how they are on first name terms with people who work in the shops, and know all about this that and the other, local events etc. Why would you be like that if you are not a local ? Complete idiots.
Smelly place St Erth
OMG, that '70s backing track. Cringeworthy. Great video, though.
5:20 - That's my old house!!