Congratulations! But we, the subscribers, have to thank you for keeping these funny, interesting, educating, beautiful, and enthusiastic videos coming.
I have just realised that "Wandsworth" must actually be "Wandlesworth". Also I'm so pleased that they left the Wandle alone, it is quite the beautiful river (including herons).
According to wikipedia (so its probably wrong); "Wandsworth appears in Domesday Book of 1086 as Wandesorde and Wendelesorde. This means 'enclosure of (a man named) Waendel', whose name is also lent to the River Wandle."
I seems your channel has something of a connection to this tramway. Both ended up far bigger than was originally thought it would be. Canal builders were amongst the first to realise the potential of using rails as part of a transport system. Mostly because they used what was called waggonways to remove the earth from the canals they were excavating. You can just imagine that moment when the little light came on, probably a candle as lightbulb as was some distance into the future at that point, as they wondered why they were using waggonways to remove soil from the canal instead of using the waggonway in place of the canal. And congratulations on reaching 150,000 subscribers.
As you enter Hooley from either direction using the main A23 Brighton Road you will see metal signs showing a representation of the Surrey Iron Railway in use. The Starbucks near the northern end of the M23 has in it's grounds the still visible remnants of a bridge that carried Dean Lane over the Surrey Iron Railway. A bit further south near the junction of Shepherds Hill and the A23 is Weighbridge Cottage, now in private ownership, which is the second oldest surviving railway building in the world, and opposite The Feathers pub in Merstham is a small section of the old track so you can see what it looked like. The railway helped move the stone quarried at Merstham. By the way the Merstham quarry was the place where Dynamite had it's first public demonstration.
True, but the features you mention are about the Croydon. Merstham and Godstone Iron Railway, which was a separate company from the SIR, although it was effectively an extension of the SIR and they operated as one. Jago said he would do a further video on the CM&GR
How history repeats itself, what is a modern guided busway (like the one on the old train line from Cambridge to St Ives) if not a reinvention of a plateway.
Congratulations on 150,000 subscribers, but we have set to see the "trophy" that youtube sent you when reaching 100,000. Anyhoo, as ever, this was a fascinating essay.
@@eattherich9215 But RU-vid doesn't have the mailing address of most people who make the videos, so without an address, they can't send out the plaques, even if they want to.
@@Dave_Sisson which is why they’ve always reached out to ask for an address and what name to put on the plaque. But it’s now pretty common to take 3-9 months to receive it.
The wandle may not have been turned into a navigable canal, but it was culverted and flow altered to suit the mills and bleaching and dying industries, along with the watercress beds of mitcham/phipps bridge.
Excellent Jago. My elder brothers were members of the Croydon Historical Society, and would often point out to me various parts of the old route. If you get the Brighton bound train, after Purley, where the track dips down into the deep cutting, I believe it was possible to see high in the cliff the route of the SIR. I always look out for it even now, but alas Im not sure it is still visible.
That would be the Croydon. Merstham and Godstone Iron Railway, not the SIR, although they operated as one. Jago said he would do a further video on the CM&GR
I live in the East Midlands and regularly visit Cromford in the Peak District. Cromford was the site of Sir Richard Arkwright's Mill, powered by water from the River Derwent. In 1794, the Cromford Canal had been completed, built by William Jessop with help from Benjamin Outram, to connect the Mill at Cromford to the Langley Mill Basin. To further the usability, a Railway was built between Cromford Wharf and Whaley Bridge connecting to the High Peak Canal, surveyed by Josias Jessop and built with the help of William, his father and Benjamin Outram in 1830. Built to the now standard gauge of 4' 8½" (rather than 4' 2" that Outram preferred) using 'Fishbelly' Rails on stone blocks. There is so much mirroring of events and people to your story!
I do enjoy seeing shots of Croydon, my old student days stomping ground! There was no Tramlink then, nor Iron Railway for that matter. I can't remember how we got about.
"The road does not appear to be much used, nor is it probable that railways will ever come into general use". Ahh, another fabulous forecast from our ancestors.
Surrey Iron Railway is mentioned in my first railway book: ‘ the Story of Railways’ a. Ladybird Achievement book. Published in 1961. It claims the line was planned from London to Portsmouth. However it mentions the line ended at Merstham. There’s a lovely colour picture of the line , 3 wagons pulled by a horse. There was a flat truck at the rear said to be for the horse when running down hills.
I have been lots of times in London to enjoy citytrips since 1976 (I live in the Netherlands) and I love the city. And through this channel you give so much background information about London, the Underground and the railways in London. Who would not like it???
Another excellent little video. So there you go, a massively watched video channel that all came out of a "silly idea". I subscribed to your channel and I get to watch nearly all of your videos. Part of the success is due to "bite size" presentations that can be watched in five to ten minutes as a little distraction. Long may this continue.
"I hope you enjoyed the video. You are the small cog to my RU-vid algorithm." Grats on reaching the big 150,000. Here's to another two years and 300,000 subscribers. 🍷
I was brought up in South London, and lived there for the first 23 years of my life. I worked at various times in Mitcham, Merton and Victoria, went to school in Balham, Clapham Junction and Wandsworth, I must have crossed the path of the Surrey Iron Railway hundreds of times, but until about 10 years ago I had never heard of it. There was certainly no mention of it locally as a child in the 1960s, even amongst those who were interested in history. It must have just been too long gone and lost in the steady urbanisation of the area. Well done for reaching a milestone, I for one now watch nearly all your offerings, I like the style, and the presentation, just long enough to explain something without it getting boring, and as someone who is now a bit deaf you have a clear speaking voice.
#JagoHazzard: A tip of the hat to you, good sir. Your videos are a much needed comfort in these uncertain times. Very informative, and just funny enough to leave one's mind at ease. Having grown up in The Bronx, New York, the transit system here has always intrigued me. To know that such love and interest can be shared by so many is quite a relief on the psyche. Your love for all things historical and British remains a constant source of joy to me. And yes, the effort and time you put into each video is noticed by all throughout RU-vid. Subscribing to your channel was a great privilege. Thank you.
There's a plaque on Mitcham Tram stop bridge commemorating the iron railway. I never knew about it until I saw a video by Mitcham memories. edit...Mitcham Notes.
Very interesting. There's a lot of industrial and transport history in Wandsworth that many Londoners wouldn't know about as it was so long ago. But quite a few more now do.
Until last year, my cousin (twice removed) lived on London Road in Merstham. I visited from Canada frequently growing up, but could never have imagined that such a quiet, sleepy place could have such a railway legacy. I hope you'll one day delve a bit more into the CMGIR. Maybe when you hit 250,000 subscribers, which, at this pace, should be soon?
I remember the Wimbledon - West Croydon line when it ran two-car electric trains which had been modified from the LB&SCR 'Elevated Electric' scheme, with overhead catenary, which Southern Railway inherited in 1923 and finally scrapped in 1928, having converted it to third rail. The trains were distinctive with flat roofs above the driving cabs to accommodate the original pantographs. They were classed as 2SL (South London) and 2Wim (self explanatory). .I'd say they lasted until about 1956. They bore the No.'2' on their fronts, unusual then when the local suburban routes bore letters, one example being what is now roughly the Thameslink Line, but from Holborn Viaduct Station to the Wimbledon Loop, bearing the letter 'P' on the front. The trains also had narrow doors between individual compartments and a conductor would issue tickets on board.
Even though I had literally nothing to do with the success of this channel outside of likes, it feels really good being along for the ride as a small, fun and interesting channel like yours grows into a much, much bigger but still fun and interesting channel. I knew nothing about London trains when I found your channel and, honestly, very little about London geography and history, outside of the big picture stuff. While I still probably wouldn't pass any exams on the subjects, I don't test well, I sure know a lot more now, and, probably more importantly, I'm interested in learning more. Anyway, congratulations and thank you for making your videos, they've been much appreciated here, and I hope you have many more to come. And just putting it out there in case you ever start to run out of material or you have other interests, I'd be interested in any video you make about any subject, if you decide to branch out.
You say the Ram brewery Wandsworth has been demolished, but quite a lot is still there as its listed, and its brewing again- Sambrooks. The iron railway plaque is still visible.
Its possible that Jago is a little confused with the other bit just north of the Brewery. that seems to have gone , was some kind of semi-industrial something. I presume the railway terminated to the East of the Wandle rather than the west ? , if so it must have re-crossed the river, so I could be wrong.
THANKING YOU KINDLY, young Mr Thomas, for such a THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE series! The episodes' composition, presentation, artistic qualities, content and the manner of their presentation are all SECOND TO NONE. Hence, I doff my hat to you, good Sir and kindly request you to continue producing such sterling work for the benefit and enjoyment of your many legions of viewers such as myself!
Thank you for that Mr Hazard. One of my favorite 'lost' early lines. I'm guessing you have read the same books as I have on the Surrey Iron Railway, however I knew not of the Lambeth extension proposal. An interesting line and one that should have prospered but failed, self inflicted I feel having read some of the stuff that was proposed by the owners. Please do cover the Merstham extension some time. You can still find a few traces of that branch around the end of the M23... If you know what you are looking at and as I've only ever been through there in vehicles I've not had a chance to look properly. Congratulations on the Subscriber count, that's a bit special but shows that your measured and researched content with some (kind of) humour worked in is what we need. Thank you again Sir for all your videos.
A connection at Earlsfield might have been tricky given the height that would need to be attained. ( and it needed to be high over the road otherwise the cutting into Clapham Junction would have been even deeper - or a Tunnel !
Congratulations with your 150k subscribers! Remember it well, entering your channel for the first time (July 2020), after watching a video of Geoff Marshall. You only had 700 subscribers by then and we wondered how fast you got to 1.000 subscribers and way up to 10k. In less then 2 years reaching 152k, you really did a great job. All the best from The Netherlands!
Thank you, Mr Hazzard. The reason we keep coming back is the rarity of having such an authoritative, erudite and amusing narration of simply excellent content.
Congratulations another fascinating factual informative and interesting story. It's not surprising people find your in depth history stories told with panache and enthusiasm. Long may it continue.
Fascinating as ever. My family think I'm mad because my last couple of stays in London have included trips down to Croydon just to ride the trams! Actually, Croydon doesn't seem half as bad as popular culture would have one believe - I've certainly visited worse places both in Greater London and further afield.
Wonderful video. I always wanted to know more about the Iron Railway. I live in Wandsworth quite near to the Old Youngs brewery which does have a few bits left of evidence of the railway.
Congratulations Mr H on your 150,000 subscribers. Takes a lot of research to make each episode compelling viewing. Also love your witty comments. Keep up the good work... Christine
Once again another great video and well researched story. Given that I live on the other side of the world, it's probably a little odd that I find your tales of London rail transport so fascinating, but I do. Well done again 🙂
I used to live in Wallington and was intrigued by a small display of track and stone blocks illustrating the SIR. These were in the library grounds. I went back about 10 years ago but they had gone. I wonder if they are the ones shown in your video. I cam to your channel quite late, but I always enjoy your commentary and the videos as well. Keep up the good work. Here's to another 150,000 subscribers.
I guess they're the ones now in the garden of the Honeywell Museum at Carshalton Ponds. 2 other points. 1. You didn't mention the branches, that to Hackbridge being quite substantial. 2. l had always understood that the line finished roughly on the grass bank just south of Reeves Corner tramstop -- indeed between that and Reeves Corner itself. That then gave an end on junction to the Merstham line. It would also mean that Church Street led directly to it. Tamworth Road, which takes you up past Centrale to the Croydon Canal basin (now the bus station) was laid out as a tramway in order to connect. It's therefore particularly apposite that trams run up it today. 1 other curiosity is that the single track Wimbledon line appeared to have 2 tracks at the Croydon end, but 1 was, in fact, a siding. In fact Waddon Marsh Station was at the junction to the SIR route, being just south of the Purley Way bridge. Thanks for highlighting the old line!
Yes. They had a short section of track. I remember Stephenson’s Rocket being mentioned on the information boards. Then one side of the track was stolen. Then the whole thing was removed.
You've got the subscriber base because you're doing a great job of exploring interesting tidbits. Although I can't help but notice that somehow Charles Yerkes wasn't involved at all in the making of this!
In my childhood (50s-60s) there was huge pile of stone sleepers in The Grove grounds - we climbed on them. I didn't realise what they were until after I saw similar on the Stockton and Darlington c1970. There were also sleepers set into the pathways. I've no idea where they are now...
Croak...? What croak? Congrats on your milestone, btw! We're the ones who thank you for all the knowledge & entertainment you bestow upon us. You are the highlight to my feed. (RU-vid, that is. I'm not of the bovine persuasion)
The only channel I really love to watch on RU-vid, always look forward to the next episode, they make for perfect viewing, and informs me of things I never really knew about my home city, narrated with charm and good humour, well done Jago.. 😊👍🏽
Jago, Congratulations on 150,000 subscribers. Keep making these videos. Always enjoy them.Very informative sprinkled with humour. I hope your subscribers increase with time. Keep up the great work.
Many congratulations to you on reaching the 150,000 subscribers level, Jago. Your videos are just fantastic; full of facts, great locations to view, and of course your jokes are Ace!! This video is just another example of your expertise. I had no idea that this iron railway is technically the oldest in the world. Marvellous information. I wonder whether there are any books on this subject? 🤔 😊
"I hear no croak, no, not by an angel of death be he, no barley or meat for he, nor by the voice of Hazzard-Sir Jago, thee who is of comfort by your words, relation of fact and understandings to this simple layman, but with whom I would gladly share a Full English Breakfast or two with, meat and fried bread abundant." I feel certain I found your channel entirely by happy accident, Jago, as I cannot recall where and when I did, but that I found your craft and work on RU-vid late last year. Among those whose posts on RU-vid I look forward to, yours is one of my greatest treats when I note availability, then see and enjoy your latest work. I have never set foot in the United Kingdom, but partly because of your extremely comforting and welcome posts here, I have at least a few railway lines I looking forward to riding if I do come to see and visit the Continent someday. Thank you for your welcome, and thank you for the gift of your stories shared!
before the trams, there was a two-car electric train from west croydon to Wimbledon which I occasionally used to go past Wandle park and the power station.
I remember working in Barclays Bank Wallington back in the late 1970’s. A short cut from the public car park to the bank went through the gardens of the, then disused, council offices where was a sort stretch of the plateway and a sign detailing what it was.
We used to live near the Lakelock Railway (Near Wakefield) and some of the rails are still buried in the pavement. It always amuses me that people get it so wrong that the Stockton and Darlington was the first Public Railway, and that The Liverpool and Manchester was the first "Inter-City" Railway....
Great video! The stones you mentioned that have been removed are actually very much still there, I saw them a few weeks ago in the Ram quarter, in an arch way by the hairdressers. There is also a plaque talking about it! 😊
Thank you Jago for your outstanding output. The subject matters, your research and your manner of presentation makes you one of my favourite content providers. Your success is well deserved and I hope your channel continues to flourish.
Wow, 150k subs, that's some going! Thanks for the channel and content Jago, I've cycled the Wandle Trail from the Thames Southwards, it's a great ride and relatively traffic free with only a few place that public roads are needed and can recommend to anyone who's interested.
Amazing. I knew about the Surrey Iron Railway vaguely from history books, but had no idea that part of the tram route followed it. And we used Colliers Wood tube a lot while we had friends living there and I really had no notion of that link.
Rob Fascinating video as always. I understand that the uninspiring looking West Croydon station has a remarkable transport history. Starting as a canal basin with connection to a horse drawn railway as you show it then became a mainline station served by in turn 'atmospheric' (vacuum powered) , steam, overhead AC electric and then 3rd rail DC. In the meantime the road outside had horse drawn and then electric trams and now the modern tramlink.
I don't know whether it still exists, but there used to be a relic of the Surrey Iron Railway in Croydon. There was a small building between New Road and the railway out of West Croydon Station between Pitlake Bridge (now called Roman Way) and the point where the Tramlink flyover goes up and heads towards Waddon Marsh. One corner of this building was rounded off, and my understanding is that it was thus to give clearance for Surrey Iron Railway trains negotiating a bend in the line as it turned from the Waddon Marsh direction towards Church Street. The painting that you include at 6.39 is of a train on the Croydon, Merstham and Godstone Railway crossing a bridge over Chipstead Valley Road, approximately halfway between the junctions with Lion Green Road and Portnalls Road. Although the bridge no longer exists, the site of this crossing is still apparent. On the north side of Chipstead Valley Road there is a gap in the houses in which Chipstead Tabernacle is now located. On the south side, the CM & GR embankment continues through the grounds of what was Cane Hill Hospital - one used to be able to see it from Chipstead Valley Road, but some relatively new houses now block the view. As you say in your video, the LBSC Railway took over the CM&G line. Much of the old line was obliterated, but there is still a bridge between the east side of the A23 and the modern railway line at Hooley which took the CM&G line under Dean Lane. The old bridge is difficult to see, as it is almost buried.
The Merstham branch passed under Dean Lane, just south of Hooley. If you go to the right-hand of car park of the current chain restaurant, you can see the brick arch. It fascinated me - I grew up nearby, and it was much more visible in my childhood.
Wonderful history of the Croydon tram line. Many congratulations on your 150k subs. You are the best railway historian on YT by far. Looking forward to many more videos Thank you Jago.
