Rediscovering the Downham & Stoke Ferry Railway 

What a splendid film. Lovely storyline. How quickly nature takes over disused railways to such an extent, that the line becomes nearly invisible.

These videos are lovely. Smashing countryside and great old railway buildings . . . a reminder of altogether nicer times - oh for a time machine . . .

It's ALL STILL HERE! Dr Beeching didn't know what we know now about road traffic pollution. But the fact is, that for LITERALLY one two-thousandth of the HS2 budget, it could all be put back. The sugar factory's diesel juggernauts could be taken off the A134 and the A10. The benefits of the North Cambridge economic boom could be reaped by the long-ignored inhabitants of this downtrodden region. Siting for much-needed affordable housing is plentiful. And the desolate eyesore of those wonderful buildings which are the first thing seen by visitors to poor Stoke Ferry could be turned into a thing of pride, as once they were. (I know. I live here). What a beautiful film. Thank you.

Yet another gem and thank you. Stoke Ferry Station would make a fantastic family home for someone with plenty of time and energy. Lovely choice of music from across the channel.

A lovely film ! I passed Ryston Station twice a week during 1974 travelling from south cambs to Bircham Newton Training centre when the original A10 passed through Ryston . Today it is by-passed .The Crossing gates were very visible then and freshly painted unlike today and I remember seeing a train going off into the distance only once I think towards Wissington . Great work and superb music to set the tone .

Really nice to see as I live about 200 yards from the old line that runs from West Dereham to Stoke Ferry.

Great video as usual. I was travelling along the A10 towards Ely in the 70's with my family in our trusty Beetle, closely followed by my in-laws in their trusty Morris minor, both cars lacking in brake (stopping) power. As I rounded the bend where the line crossed the A10, the gates or barriers were down, I braked hard bringing our car to a halt, but can remember looking in the rear view mirror and seeing the look of horror on mother in-laws face as a collision seemed imminent. Luckily their car was brought to a standstill, inches away from our car. Happy days, wish the crossing was still there.

This is one part of the country I really loved living in. I have very fond memories of Denver, and the pub at the Sluice - Jenyns Arms? It was a wonderful sleepy place on a narrow road and wider river. You could park your boat and go for a pint or lunch, or you cold park your bike and do the same. The cat would sun itself in the middle of the road or a quiet evening. It had its reasoning- the pub kept chickens and a couple of evil looking cockerels with massive spurs would strut their funky stuff around the garden, actually wandering into the pub through the riverside door, after the cat which would resort to jumping on the tables out of their way. But no one minded- it was all part of life. It's possible to cycle from Boston to New York and Denver in a day. If you start in Lincoln and go by Tattershall Castle and King's Lynn, it'll be about 80 miles. You can even claim to have to slow down for Spitfires, as the airfield where they are kept (RAF Conigsby?) borders the New York - Boston Road and there's traffic lights to stop traffic during take off and landings.

Fascinating, as all your videos are. I grew up in Downham Market and can just remember the final closure of the Wissington branch. A distant relation lived in the crossing keeper's cottage at Ryston station where she very occasionally was called on to close the gates! I remember that for a very brief period the then new A10 Hilgay/Denver/Downham by-pass had an automated rail crossing but it didn't last long: when it was taken out they simply plated over the track so you can feel the rails in the road to this day.

A delightful video and just what I needed as a wind-down after a tough day at work.

You have an uncanny knack of picking good music to accompany your videos.

I was stationed at nearby RAF Marham between 1980 and 1982 and visited many of the Norfolk disused lines but not the Stoke Ferry or Wissington branches. I've just looked at the photos I took back then to refresh my memory.

As enjoyable as ever, thanks for this latest episode in your nostalgic travels. I do like the Ravel but hope there are yet more pieces from the English pastoral movement that would suit your next eagerly-awaited instalment - they do so evoke the sense of what we are all missing with the closure of these lines!

Fantastic video as i live in this area in never knew this railway existed, now thinking of modelling Denver junction, and i will pay a visit to Stoke Ferry to look at the station building, Many thanks

Thanks.

Thank you once again for this video. I really enjoyed it. Nice to see a view of the river Wissey.

Stoke Ferry Station looks like the sort of place they would film the Avengers in the 60's. Emma Peel would rush up in her Lotus Elan, only to find that John Steed was already there, gathering the evidence ...

Very interesting film

Love the music.

Another great video! Shame the old station at Stoke Ferry is derelict!

One of the interesting aspects of these films is how certain areas of the country actually became more rural rather than less towards the end of the twentieth century

This is very interesting to me as I live in the gate keepers cottage on College Road. I was kind of hoping you might show a picture of the house when it was in use - perhaps during the war when it was painted black (you can still see some of the paint on the brickwork) - the books on this branch line don't include any photos of it. It's a pity you didn't knock as there is a bit of the line extended after my house. There are a few cottages which I think you might have missed too (although I'd have to work out where.) Anyway, nice film.

I was once sent to work Denver Crossing in 1992, but it was infested with mice, so I had to sit in my car the whole shift, so after 2 nights it was cancelled...

Many thanks for this video...I first got to know about the branch when we visited my wife’s cousins near King’s Lynn in the 1980s. Freight traffic had just ceased but the level crossing on the main road to Downham was very much evident.as I can’t explore these old lines myself I much appreciate your efforts. (However, I did once retrace the route of the Wisbech and Upwell tramway line! Thank you, Rob.

Thanks again for the latest `Rediscovery`video....always look forward to these railway history video`s. Once again thank you for making the effort and your time for all of us to enjoy...well done sir,keep them coming.

Great film. Shame about the buildings at Stoke Ferry - I wonder if they are still standing today.

Only just discovered your channel, and I'm really enjoying your videos! Thankyou. P.s. Have you considered doing the Staines and West Drayton branch line? There are many tracks still visible (and some signals) that haven't been removed so it could make an interesting video. :)

Your brother reminds me of Sir Alfred Hitchcock.

And, I once spent 4 nights in the crossing keepers hut at Denver in November 1992, manning the crossing, the hut was full of MICE, and future manning was banned after that, hut is in this video!

You learn new stuff every day while and using Wikipedia, WIssington is one large sugar factory....

I visited the Wissington light railway very shortly after the track had been lifted, you could see where the sleepers once were....