A wander down an old abandoned railway track
Added 2024-11-26 06:03:38 +0000 UTCThe other day while the leaves were still golden brown I decided to explore an old abandoned railway track that used to go from my old hometown of Walsall to my current hometown of Lichfield.
I'd explored this place before many many years ago, and quite a bit had changed. Join me as I investigate the remnants of this old Victorian railway, tackle some fences and foliage, come face to face with some figures of authority and share a few funny stories from my youth in what turned out to be quite a relaxed but nostalgic affair.
Comments
Hi Tom, late to the party on this one but I work on the railway and the amount of money in scrap is incredible. Network Rail actually pay someone to come collect it, who then also gets all the money from selling it. There's so much scrap metal laying around everywhere you could make a fortune just scouring the hedges around the network (provided you can carry it all of course!).
Amos Gilding
2025-07-07 02:02:07 +0000 UTCThere's a good one of these that connects Guildford to Shoreham-by-sea called the Downslink. I cycled it this summer. Love the content, nicely done lad. https://youtu.be/IyctPmgnGzY?si=6mQZjQS7wEd5zuuq
Jack Hussey
2025-01-03 18:33:44 +0000 UTCTom I just watched your newest Geoguessr video. I think a 25~20 mile straight line challenge would be awesome!
Lanie
2024-12-02 19:36:55 +0000 UTCYo, awesome video Tom! Me, my GF and my best friend do this sorta thing here in Kent all the time, there's one in Sandling! Keep the adventures coming my guy! 🤘🏻
Ollie Spicer
2024-11-30 07:59:43 +0000 UTCThanks Jonatan! plenty more where that came from
tom davies
2024-11-28 17:27:46 +0000 UTCI shall store it for years and block out other, much more important information.
tom davies
2024-11-28 17:27:30 +0000 UTCThat's great mate. So much work going on. I really did catch it in it's final days, looking forward to the finished results though!
tom davies
2024-11-28 17:26:59 +0000 UTCThanks Ewoud that means a lot!
tom davies
2024-11-28 17:21:47 +0000 UTCGreat vid Tom, love all the content you are putting out here on the Paterons!
Jonatan Alvelid
2024-11-27 21:41:27 +0000 UTCThe big piece of metal with the 4 holes is called a fishplate. They connect two sections of rail together. Not sure what you can do with that info, but hey ho.
Jake Tomlinson
2024-11-27 21:07:23 +0000 UTCHi Tom great vid. I’m from Burntwood. Here is the Facebook page of the group that are doing the clearance, called Back the Track. Quite interesting to see the progress https://www.facebook.com/share/17q7Th6T8d/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Matt Earp
2024-11-27 19:41:41 +0000 UTCI just wanna say Tom, that my subscription to your Patreon may well have been the best money i have spend all year. The content is just wonderful and very enjoyable. Keep it up
Ewoud van Aalst
2024-11-27 19:11:10 +0000 UTCYou're a good man Tom. You just need to remember your gloves more often ;-)
LordLard
2024-11-27 16:08:10 +0000 UTCThe really bananas thing is that I wouldn't be surprised at all if it is part of a maintenance regime where it gets checked every so often. If the bulb went out I think it'd get replaced...your extortionate rail fares need to get wasted on something!
Signalsjef
2024-11-27 15:50:58 +0000 UTCThat’s going to be a blast.
Stuart Duncan
2024-11-27 12:59:54 +0000 UTChaha sorry Brian!
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:54:31 +0000 UTCtrue loyalty
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:54:15 +0000 UTCThere are a lot more than I thought in the UK! cheers Steve
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:54:05 +0000 UTCCheers Stu! I'll try and get out onto that canal in the next couple of months!
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:53:31 +0000 UTCThanks man! I will do!
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:52:18 +0000 UTCThe only footage in existence is the clip you saw of my mate Brennan attempting to cross the tyres and me filming just in case he fell in (something I have continued to do way more than I ever thought I would)
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:51:50 +0000 UTChaha I know. I'm so with it.
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:50:55 +0000 UTCCheers Craig!
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:50:46 +0000 UTCYou're probably just noticing the ones that have your birthday on them more!
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:50:39 +0000 UTCVery true. I just didn't like how in view I was of the M6 Toll traffic. Extra pressure.
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:50:10 +0000 UTCThanks for your insight signalsjef! I think I get the jist of what you're saying. Just seems mental to me that they would maintain that. Do they replace the bulb and maintain the electrics on it?
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:49:33 +0000 UTCCheers Lard! glad you found it interesting
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:48:37 +0000 UTCI thought so too. Great place for a sesh.
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:48:18 +0000 UTCIt was refreshing. Hopefully my presence encouraged them further!
tom davies
2024-11-27 12:47:59 +0000 UTCHow refreshing that you meet someone from the council when trespassing and they acknowledge the act but are pleased that you’re doing it. Good for them, they didn’t even give you an unnecessary safety lecture!
Ben Clear
2024-11-26 22:57:40 +0000 UTCCool cave
exploring with ashley
2024-11-26 19:22:30 +0000 UTCThank you Tom. A nice vid pretty close to my regular commute - but much more interesting :-)
LordLard
2024-11-26 19:16:00 +0000 UTCAye. They would have just put a bag with a cross on over the signal. Much cheaper than disconnecting it. Someone must have nicked off with the bag!
Jake Tomlinson
2024-11-26 18:29:53 +0000 UTCAs a guess I think AN157 signal is still lit as it will still form part of the interlocking with the line it joins. If the line was closed after the last re-signalling took place then it was probably cheaper and easier to leave it in situ and lit then remove it and have to change the interlocking. I could well be wrong though!
Signalsjef
2024-11-26 18:13:22 +0000 UTCWhen has a tall Spikey fence ever stopped you Tom?
Geoff Bushill
2024-11-26 17:38:17 +0000 UTCFun fact... my birthday is 30 April and this seems to be a very popular Use By Date. I don't know why though.
Carl Taylor
2024-11-26 17:31:49 +0000 UTCSome of those scenes look like they’re from a post apocalyptic movie. Great video.
Craig Cooper
2024-11-26 12:33:26 +0000 UTCRik Waller. Reference for the teenagers there.
Craig Cooper
2024-11-26 12:18:00 +0000 UTCBig mistake, should've done that first then watched it 🫡
Imraduin
2024-11-26 10:28:29 +0000 UTCI was gonna get high, but then I watched this
Jean Voyage
2024-11-26 10:22:36 +0000 UTCWould you consider releasing the old Footage from 15 years ago, maybe commenting on it in a split screen?
wortwicht
2024-11-26 09:38:46 +0000 UTCI'm sick at home and this is just perfect to Rest a little while and spend some time with you. I would happily engage in 5 hours of this in one rum. Good to hear, that your family is doing well. Fatherhood is the best thing in the World but it's definitely not easy. Keep those Spirits High, mate! 🙂
wortwicht
2024-11-26 09:34:47 +0000 UTCVery exciting! Looking forward to the subsequent parts. Well done on braving the conversation with those workers, made for a compelling moment of suspense.
Stuart Duncan
2024-11-26 08:57:15 +0000 UTCI was about to watch this video, but now I am commenting this instead
Sven Van De Voorde
2024-11-26 08:36:53 +0000 UTCThe most popular foot path in my town was repurposed from an old rail track! I use it often, certainly less fun than trespassing though haha
Steven Hocker
2024-11-26 07:30:23 +0000 UTCI was about to go to the pub but now i’m watching this instead.
josh lumley
2024-11-26 07:15:35 +0000 UTCI was about to sleep but now I’m watching this instead
William
2024-11-26 07:02:25 +0000 UTCI was gonna get going to work, but now I'm watching this instead 🤷♂️
Imraduin
2024-11-26 06:15:57 +0000 UTCdude c'mon I'm about to go to bed here in NY!
Brian
2024-11-26 06:10:55 +0000 UTC
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