Such an outstanding look into transportation management from years gone by. These people whose job it was to get us to work and back deserve our respect and gratitude. Fathers, mothers sisters and brothers, all with a sense of purpose of taking part in this great wheel called life. May God bless you.
Exactly.. there was a sense of pride in the workplace back then... a vocation. Now it's "how much can I get out of it without giving too much of me". I love train travel, but the unsurity of it these days takes the fun out of it.
This is what the British established in my own land-the once Jewel of the Crown so many years ago. The railways now occupy the primary position of honour in India-the wheels of India turn because of its railways. We have retained nearly every law that concerns the running of our networks, preserved it all just as the British established them. Wherever I go, deep into my own land, and engage the station master of some little station so far away in the wilderness, the conversation always turns to the pioneering British, of whom so little remains except for poignant grave stones overgrown by grass and weed. Yet, these represent lives once lived in mute sacrifice and devotion to duty, so that a strange land may again live. Our thanks be unto the British. Much good was done. The ebb and flow of human recollections may fail; yet, in history both written and unwritten-in chronicles remembered or forgotten, Indians will always bow their heads in remembrance of all those nameless and now forgotten, who once lived, and toiled for a greater good.
Life changes gradually, and it's only when you see a film a like this that you realise just how much it has changed during the present Queen's reign, even when you've lived all of the way through it. The station master arrives wearing a Bowler Hat, all of the double deck buses have open rear platforms, most women were wearing hats, telegrams, wheel-tappers, adding coaches to trains to match supply to demand, an open fire to heat the staff side of the booking office, a telephone exchange full of people and wires, and did you see the wheel chair they were pushing the woman round the station in? And was she wearing a fur coat? I think It's also the first time I've seen film of the old railway museum; as it was close to the south end of the station and not very large, I guess you would have had time for a quick look round as the London train had a 10 minute dwell time! A wonderful film; thanks very much for posting it.
What an age. Why can't we have all the current technology but with the human touch. I know in so many ways matters are better today, but somehow there s something missing.
I always love watching this film and York in general, it has such a wonderful station and I always visit whenever possible.. and at times when its not possible.
People have commented that this film was made in 1953. It is interesting to see that country stations were already being closed and branch lines lifted ten years or so before Dr Beeching and the butchering of the rail system.
A tremendous film, which I viewed just after returning from a visit to the present day equivalent, which is not quite as impressive-and sad to say the station master's office is now a shop! I also have this film in both Super-8 and 16mm film versions.
Watching this, it's hard to imagine how we used to live. So simple and yet so complicated. Everyone had a job and seemed proud of whatever it was s/he did, whether trimming lamps or announcing the trains. I imagine this film is about as old as me, filmed in 1958 or so? Perhaps a year or so later? Does anyone know for sure?
@@MrHeliums thanks for that - I was wondering what year myself, and when the other person guessed 1958, I thought no, it's a touch older than that. And 1953 is the year in which I was born! What a lovely old film, and how contented everyone seemed.
@@neilsaunders9309 this era was not as good as you think. Piss-poor management of the economy by the Tories between 1951 and 1964 destroyed the economy from 1964 onwards including the 1967 devaluation. Whilst it is true we had full employment, but that was due to employment being at levels the economy could not support.
@@neiloflongbeck5705 I'd need to know what you think constitutes good management of the economy, and, indeed, what a good economy actually is. I've read Robin Ramsay on the postwar economic situation www.lobster-magazine.co.uk/free/lobster60/lob60-062.pdf, so I've no illusions that it was any kind of earthly paradise; I simply note that it was vastly better than what replaced it.
A wonderful film indeed - much work has been put into this and it shows. Light has been used as art where it can, different camera angles add interest, and the narration is spot on. Sadly, almost everyone except, possibly the small boys trainspotting must have gone by now....
Very interesting film. How vast the station complex and the lines fanning out from York compared with nowadays where the two central lines have been removed and there is a large strip of gravel in the middle! I wonder how many people were employed in York station then and now.
Enjoyed how we has nation got job done ,another history lesson as I like past more present,, as born in 1958, collect vintage music and films despite world wars ,we still world ,how things get job start to finish, which show in film
GREAT PLACE TO VISIT YORK NOT JUST THE STATION BUT THE RAILWAY AND OTHER MUSEUM'S AND THE CITY ITS SEN AND PLEANTY OF PUBS LIKE THE KINGS ARMS THAT GETS FLOODED WHEN THERES A HEAVY DOWN POUR OR RAIN
Can’t help but think that God the railway companies were cheap skates even back then, charging a ‘platform fee’ to kids wanting to train spot. It’s not as if the cost of the platform ticket was going to exactly make the difference between keeping them solvent.
@@gillchatfield3231 It was only a penny. The reason is that you had to have a ticket to be on the platform. If you presented at the barrier on the way out without a ticket, how would the ticket inspector know you weren't a fare dodger, especially if they changed shift - the new inspector wouldn't know you just saw of old Auntie Jane.
Stay delusional! You didn't live in the era, so you don't feel the urge for progress. Those who lived, were keen on progressing. Never stop wondering: Why...?
I believe you had to be during this time or you would never of be able to get such a job/role/position in society. The class system was very strong still in the 1950's as it wasn't until the 1960`s that things became a bit more relaxed as generations adjusted attitudes.
York was once the railway capital of the north, which I guess it still is, but it’s not quite as grand. The National Railway Museum peaked in the 90s and 2000s, and has rapidly declined in the past five years.
Does anyone know who was the Stationmaster in 1953 at York? My father was Stationmaster at Alyth Junction at this time - where I was born. We then moved to Armadale (West Lothian), Bridgeton Central (Glasgow) and finally Motherwell. Dad was then Area Manager based at Carstairs.
Dear Old York.City of my birth, I was there when the bombs came , a voice a I lay in my bed "where s his mum? another voce 'Down the pub., I ws picked up and take to a dark room.
Oh Look,Smart,Polite People.York Station's structure is little changed and is a very interesting place.However,beware of drunken parties.You can't move for Brown Beards,Tatoos and Tatty Chavs.It used be be Vikings and Roundheads that were the invaders.Bring back the A4 and the Deltic.Brilliant Film,anyone know where I can buy a Time Machine.
It wasn't just the stations. It was everywhere in every town and city was dusty and grimy with the smoke and soot from millions of coal fires. Just watch for the views over York and compare them with the visibility these days. There may be many faults with today's Britain but I do not miss the constant smoky air.
@@EuroScot2023 , Its interesting to recall, that the Smog was ever present in the 50s , even far out into the country, down-wind of the towns . The Clean air act has improved life in this country for the better, not just for the health of people, for buildings & wild-life too, the word Acid-rain hadn't been invented ! Quite how train drivers could see the signals , lit by the feeble light of those oil lamps, is remarkable , especially considering the dangers of not seeing !
I’m a time traveler please hire me to be a signalman. Please pretty please! I’m the doctor and the signalman is my undercover name. Mr. Finn Flattely after my great grandfather. I will be an train driver if one of lads is ill.
