Let's Ride ... The GWR Marlow Branch

The Marlow Branch line comes off of the GWR mainline at Maidenhead, and goes via an unusual reversing layout at Bourne End, and the whole branch line still uses Tokens on this rather marvellous single track branchline.

So I spent the day with Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of GWR - who grew up on the line as he talked me through the operation of the line that he loves, and explains why the shuttle section is called “The Marlow Donkey" !!

[Drawyah]

I have a lot of respect towards Mark Hopwood as CEO of Great Western Railway. A lot of railway MDs are 'born' into the position, starting their careers at executive level. Mark started in the Ticket Office at Reading and climbed his way through various station and low level management roles to ultimately end up as MD in 2008. Its a climb to the top that very few have done!

[markstrainsplanes]

Thanks to Geoff for producing such a great video and allowing me to play a role talking about one of my favourite subjects!!

Geoff produces great videos and it’s fantastic to add the Marlow branch to his list!

From me and everyone at GWR!

Thanks

Mark

[IanPayne]

I lived in Cookham as a child, and when my friend and I were about 10 years old, we decided to save up our pocket money to take the train to London. We didn’t tell our parents the day we set off. The only problem was, we had no idea which station was actually London, so we decided on West Drayton. I still remember stepping off the train and thinking, Is this it? I’d imagined London would be amazing! I now do the Maidenhead to Paddington route once a week and always smile as I pass West Drayton.

[kojo]

Most clued up MD I've ever seen interviewed seems to actually know what goes on and has a interest proper railwayman refreshing to see someone who knows the job properly brilliant video .

[BellePullman]

What a pleasure to "meet" Mark Hopwood! It's restored my faith in the world a little bit to see someone who really loves their job and is so successful making their passion into their career!

[rikufryderyk]

GWR's managing director can now officially be called one of Geoff's vlog companions. Didn't know this line existed!

[androo]

What a nice guy. Unexpected. One of your best guests.

[MrGreatplum]

An excellent video, Geoff. Mark is a proper railwayman isn’t he? Such a passion for the railways and his job.

[deejayC]

What a genuinely lovely watch Geoff - thank you. Mark is obviously one of the good guys.

[treesthatleave]

What a thoroughly decent chap Mark Hopwood is. Great to see you do a feature on my local line Geoff I really enjoyed this one.

[andrewl]

Lovely to see someone so enthusiastic about the railways also in charge of the railway!

[Gary]

When you think of what Beeching did to the railways, it's great to see that quaint little country branch lines still exist.

[smjrn]

I started this video thinking token meant a coin that passengers had to use for the train. So quite an education for me on old rail mechanics. How wonderful that while the rest of the world is rapidly streamlining modernization that this rail from the past is still actively a part of the transport system. This is what I enjoying seeing when we can take the time to still use and value the past and not totally wipe out that part of our heritage and history. And yet again I have added another place from your videos for my next trip. Thank you.

[susansmith]

I remember mark from the late 80s
He was working at reading
He is a fantastic bloke a true gent
A proper railwayman !

[JackLangston-lxgl]

Never knew the Marlow Donkey has such a unique signal system using a wooden staff and tokens, great video as always Geoff

[ILiquidGasI]

What an insight, Mark seems a great guy with incredible knowledge. You can really see that it’s not only his job, but his favourite hobby!

[Paul_Lucas]

Mark is the best. A real enthusiast and then some!! (Sorry, I do not have the plate from the staff 😂)

[HenrysAdventures]

Great to see you visit one of my local lines and always good to see a Toc MD who's a railway enthusiasts and clearly loves his job. We need more people like Mark Hopwood in the rail industry.

[smudgepuss]

I grew up in Marlow and when I was in Guides we had a couple of meetings over the years where we'd meet at the station, get the train to Bourne End and then walk back to Marlow along the river. A great walk, and you could finish up with chips from the chippie over the road from the pub.

[Wooburnmusic]

Its such a shame that the Bourne end to High Wycombe never survived, it probably would of been priceless to have that line these days.