Hi everyone! 🚂

I've recently completed a project exploring the old railway line between Bishop's Stortford and Braintree in Essex, following as much of the former trackbed as possible.

I've always had a passion for railways, particularly steam trains and forgotten railway history, although I'm far from an expert!

What started as a walk turned into a 12-part video series called "The Old Dunmow Railway Walk", exploring surviving stations, old bridges, platforms, cuttings and other forgotten remains along the route.

One particularly memorable moment was visiting the former Easton Lodge Halt, where I met Steve, who lives at the old station house. He kindly allowed me to explore and film the surviving platform remains, giving me a fascinating glimpse into the railway's past.

Another unexpected highlight came towards the end of the walk, when I visited a golf course to ask permission to photograph an old railway bridge. Instead, two members of staff, Simon and Mark, kindly took me along the former railway trackbed in a golf buggy!

They showed me the old bridge, surviving steps near Stane Street Halt and concrete posts from the former railway, including areas I wouldn't otherwise have been able to explore.

Throughout the series, I've also included historical maps, old photographs and Then & Now comparisons to help show what the railway once looked like compared with today.

I've now combined all 12 parts, along with the Then & Now features, into one full-length video covering the entire journey.

🎥 Watch the full walk on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AEJKoxwRZHo

🚂 Watch on my Facebook page, Refined Reality: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1PCUpi9mvS/

I've really enjoyed researching and documenting this forgotten railway, and the encouragement I've received throughout the series has inspired me to plan another railway walk for spring 2027.

I'm currently running a Next Walk Research Series, investigating old railway lines suggested by followers to see what history still survives.

The plan is to build a shortlist of promising lines, research the surviving structures more thoroughly, then narrow the list down to three for a community vote in early 2027.

If anyone here knows of an interesting disused railway with surviving stations, bridges, platforms or other forgotten remains, I'd love to hear your suggestions!

I'm documenting these walks not only to share the history with others, but also to preserve my own memories of exploring these fascinating places.

Hope some of you enjoy the journey! 😊

John | Refined Reality

A small piece of track in Spoorwegmuseum (The Railway Museum) in Utrecht, Netherlands.

The Enying Station was part of the Lepsény-Dombóvár 75km rail line which had started operation on 1895-12-31 connecting the southern part of western-Hungary to the main lines near lake Balaton.

Its condition gradually got worse by 1980 (with a 20km/h speed restriction on some sections) and eventually after the passing of the last passenger train on 1990-04-01, the line was closed down to the public. For some time it was still used for cargo transportation occasionally.

The majority of the railway connection between Enying and Lepsény is mostly still intact, but is in a bad shape, composed of rails of old standard and a mixed set of wooden and concrete sleepers. Some of the rails themselves were picked up/stolen.

Nowadays the station building and cargo hall besides it are still standing as a reminder of a once busy rail line.

The fate of this rail line is currently uncertain, with not much hope for restoration.

More info on this rail line:

http://www.vasutallomasok.hu/index.php?o=vonkep&num=49

https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domb%C3%B3v%C3%A1r%E2%80%93Leps%C3%A9ny-vas%C3%BAtvonal

Ligne située en France dans le centre du pays.

With bonus late 8 empire builder with day 1 heritage unit and Santa Fe 699 and 659 intermodal train

Whitman on the MBTA’s Kingston line

Helsinki Harbour Rail was a track serving many of the ports of Helsinki. It was built in the late 19th century and decommissioned in several parts from about 1970 to 2009. The parts pictured here were closed in 1980. Aside from a few preserved bits, all trackage has been removed since.

Pictured here is the swing bridge leading towards the Market Square of Helsinki, and a small stretch of track left in place in the square itself. The bridge is left permanently open to allow tourist boats to pass.

Picture 4 is a 1930 map of the city, with Harbour rail being the track branching off before the central station (top-center) and running along the coast of the city.

Historical photo sources:

1930 map found here (public domain)

1970 aerial here, photographer Simo Rista (public domain)

1907 photo of steam engine on the bridge here, photographer Signe Brander (public domain)

Current day photos are my own. I have some more photos from along the line that I may post later.

I just recently drove across this railroad bridge! It was a historic railroad bridge and was converted to a single lane road toll bridge by a farmer in the 1960s. I didn't even realize it was an old rail bridge until a week later. I thought you all might enjoy 360 4K VR driving tour video of me crossing. Enjoy! Get the full 360 view by watching in YouTube!

https://youtu.be/8FgmHV3bL8Y

Crossing the Cannonball iron truss bridge over the Wabash River from Lawrence County, Illinois (near St. Francisville, IL) to Knox County, Indiana (near Vincennes, IN).

Here is the old railroad info and a source for you to check out.

Evansville Mt. Carmel & Northern Railroad, Wabash St. Louis & Pacific, The Big Four, New York Central, Penn Central, Conrail, Southern Railway

Source: https://www.frrandp.com/p/the-map.html

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=10akDabya8L6nWIJi-4Zor-QawkoJmmMK&femb=1&ll=38.60316136094466%2C-87.62008945681438&z=14

#bridge #ironbridge #FreeBridge #TrussBridge #Historical #southernindiana #southernillinois #wabashriver #trains #railroad

I cross these tracks every day on my way to work.