A wander down an old abandoned railway track
The 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 (43)
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!).
Tom I just watched your newest Geoguessr video. I think a 25~20 mile straight line challenge would be awesome!
Yo, 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! 🤘🏻
Great vid Tom, love all the content you are putting out here on the Paterons!
Thanks Jonatan! plenty more where that came from
The 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.
I shall store it for years and block out other, much more important information.
Hi 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
That'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!
I 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
Thanks Ewoud that means a lot!
How 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!
It was refreshing. Hopefully my presence encouraged them further!
Cool cave
I thought so too. Great place for a sesh.
Thank you Tom. A nice vid pretty close to my regular commute - but much more interesting :-)
Cheers Lard! glad you found it interesting
As 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!
Aye. 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!
When has a tall Spikey fence ever stopped you Tom?
Very true. I just didn't like how in view I was of the M6 Toll traffic. Extra pressure.
Fun fact... my birthday is 30 April and this seems to be a very popular Use By Date. I don't know why though.
You're probably just noticing the ones that have your birthday on them more!
Some of those scenes look like they’re from a post apocalyptic movie. Great video.
Cheers Craig!
Rik Waller. Reference for the teenagers there.
haha I know. I'm so with it.
Would you consider releasing the old Footage from 15 years ago, maybe commenting on it in a split screen?
The 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)
I'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! 🙂
Thanks man! I will do!
Very exciting! Looking forward to the subsequent parts. Well done on braving the conversation with those workers, made for a compelling moment of suspense.
Cheers Stu! I'll try and get out onto that canal in the next couple of months!
I was about to watch this video, but now I am commenting this instead
The 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
There are a lot more than I thought in the UK! cheers Steve
I was about to go to the pub but now i’m watching this instead.
true loyalty
I was about to sleep but now I’m watching this instead
I was gonna get going to work, but now I'm watching this instead 🤷♂️
I was gonna get high, but then I watched this
dude c'mon I'm about to go to bed here in NY!
haha sorry Brian!