I have not been getting out as my back still aches, so here is a picture of the wee trains that once ran around this area. My back was loosening up so last evening I hobbled up to Sainsburys for one or two needed things and considered all was well. This morning I found I was incorrect in that opinion and my back had stiffened up just like a couple of days ago. Bah! This means I have to be careful for the next day or so once again. Tsk!
Instead of anything sensible I this picture of a short train (pulled by an F5 engine as you will realise) running towards Braintree in the days of long ago. When the line to Colchester reached Witham there was a demand, loudly from the Courtaulds MIll people and many other industrialists and farmers, to branch the line to our door. This arrived in 1848, I was not present, and remains to this day with an hourly service, hold-ups permitting, daily. Eventually, in 1869, the line was continued to Bishops Stortford, and a variety of trains, both passenger and frieght (we used to call that 'goods') trains ran along the line. This was fine for a while but after the Great War bus and lorry traffic increased, many ex-army lorries took the goods produce, and a Charabanc or two would carry people right into their villages.
By 1951 the last passenger train left, by 1972 the last freight. A sad loss to many, but with the middle classes owning cars by the 1930's, and now most have to have a car in this are, railways such as this were not going to last. They served their time, though the real purpose of this line was to prevent another company cutting through and offering competition to the GER Colchester to Norwich line! This line was always small beer.
There is always talk of reopening the line as Stansted Airport is at the other end, however this would cost more than it may be worth, including a huge flyover at Dunmow. This is a pity, maybe I should try and get Boris interested in this. It would appeal to his publicity needs and while the end result may fail it would benefit the area, if it happened, though at a cost of £100 million it probably won't.
At the risk of sounding boring about it, have you tried gentle exercise for your back? I lost a lot of aches and pains when i did this. Of course you have to remember to do it several times a week which is a bit of a downer. Interesting about the little railway. I keep on finding out about tiny railway companies of the past. It must have been interesting in the era when they were all running, and independent.
ReplyDeleteJenny, You are right, I agree. The problem with small railways was the people running them and the lack of cash. Theyw ere all taken over by big boys eventually.
ReplyDeleteTry what Jenny suggests very often a gentle walk on the flat helps. In the past they recommended lying flat but now its walking. Good luck. It's a great weekend for sport so dont sit in front on the TV for too long!!
ReplyDeleteDave, TV football all pover the place, plus rugby! I just looked and noticed Wales have not turned up!
ReplyDeleteHaving watched the rugby that seal should be rewarded with extra fish. Mark you it helped that England substituted their most effective player for no appparent reason.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting history of this small railway line. You never know with the increased costs of running a car they might have to open more railway lines.
ReplyDeleteFly, I saw some rugby. Scotland now an effective side.
ReplyDeleteFun, Certainly more could open, better that than HS2!
Wales certainly didnt turn up and the pundits will blame the loss on the injured players. But the truth is regional rugby in Wales has not worked as we dont have the same level of competition as the Gallagher Premiership, plus there is the rule that you have to play for a Welsh club to qualify, unless you have 60 caps or more. To date welsh clubs have played about 8 or 9 games whereas English clubs have played twice as many.
ReplyDeleteDave, So many changes in the rugby world, they have not all succeeded.
ReplyDelete