Film from 31st December 1960 showing the last train from Birdbrook Station, Essex.
This film from 31st December 1960 shows the last ever train from Birdbrook Station, the nearest station to Stambourne. It also shows the line from Great Yeldham to Haverhill.
From the film:
“On the 30th Dec 1961, after 100 year’s operation, passenger services on The Colne Valley Railway were withdrawn and Birdbrook Station was closed for all time. On 31st Dec, the work of destruction of the line commenced in a snow storm, with, what seems to the producer of this film, almost indecent and unnecessary haste.“
Turn your sound on and press play.
Edward Beach Thorp, known as ‘Chib’, an undertaker from Leigh on Sea, spent his weekends throughout the year visiting the rural railway lines in East Anglia with wife Edna and their dog Micky.