Tracing the Rails

Stephen Cranford sets out to trace the story of a railway that’s vanished from the map, delving into the remnants of a line that once carried steam‑driven trains across the countryside. He pieces together the memories tied to those iron beasts, following the echoes of their whistles and the routes they once roamed. Along the way, he examines a collection of intriguing relics – rusted rails, forgotten signage and other artefacts that hint at the line’s former life. By weaving together personal recollections and the physical traces left behind, Cranford builds a picture of a lost railway, offering viewers a glimpse into a forgotten chapter of transport history.

Stephen kicks off the Lost Railway exhibition, greeting the first visitors and setting the scene for what’s to come. He moves through the display, introducing the theme and giving a brief overview of the railway’s history before heading out onto the surrounding site. Along the way he stops to chat with a handful of locals, each of whom spins a vivid tale about the line’s hey‑day and the people who once worked on it. Their stories lead him to a nearby road bridge, where, beneath the asphalt, the long‑gone track can still be seen disappearing into the earth.

Stephen kicks off the Lost Railway exhibition, greeting the first visitors and setting the scene for what’s to come. He moves through the display, introducing the theme and giving a brief overview of the railway’s history before heading out onto the surrounding site. Along the way he stops to chat with a handful of locals, each of whom spins a vivid tale about the line’s hey‑day and the people who once worked on it. Their stories lead him to a nearby road bridge, where, beneath the asphalt, the long‑gone track can still be seen disappearing into the earth.

Stephen stumbles upon the long‑forgotten remnants of Steyning station, uncovering concealed platforms and trackwork that have lain hidden for years. His discovery sheds light on the village’s railway past and hints at what once stood there. He documents the brickwork and faint outlines of the old platform, showing where trains once halted. At the same time, Mike turns his attention to the local market, tracing its close ties to the railway line. He shows how the market’s layout, trading patterns and even its prosperity have been shaped by the proximity of the tracks, underscoring the enduring link between commerce and transport in Steyning. Mike interviews stallholders and checks historic records to show how the railway’s arrival spurred the market’s growth.

Stephen stumbles upon the long‑forgotten remnants of Steyning station, uncovering concealed platforms and trackwork that have lain hidden for years. His discovery sheds light on the village’s railway past and hints at what once stood there. He documents the brickwork and faint outlines of the old platform, showing where trains once halted. At the same time, Mike turns his attention to the local market, tracing its close ties to the railway line. He shows how the market’s layout, trading patterns and even its prosperity have been shaped by the proximity of the tracks, underscoring the enduring link between commerce and transport in Steyning. Mike interviews stallholders and checks historic records to show how the railway’s arrival spurred the market’s growth.

Stephen makes his way back to the historic market town of Steyning in West Sussex, where his unexpected arrival catches the attention of the community’s sole remaining Porter Signalman. The signalman, the last of his kind in the area, is taken aback by Stephen’s presence, prompting a brief but memorable encounter. As Stephen moves through the streets, he is introduced to a number of residents who still hold clear, vivid recollections of the days when steam locomotives dominated the local rail network. Their stories paint a colourful picture of a bygone era, allowing Stephen to glimpse the lasting impact of the steam age on the town’s collective memory.

Stephen makes his way back to the historic market town of Steyning in West Sussex, where his unexpected arrival catches the attention of the community’s sole remaining Porter Signalman. The signalman, the last of his kind in the area, is taken aback by Stephen’s presence, prompting a brief but memorable encounter. As Stephen moves through the streets, he is introduced to a number of residents who still hold clear, vivid recollections of the days when steam locomotives dominated the local rail network. Their stories paint a colourful picture of a bygone era, allowing Stephen to glimpse the lasting impact of the steam age on the town’s collective memory.

Mike sets out to investigate the cinematic side of Steyning Station, delving into the films that featured the locale and tracing the hotels that were once favoured by visitors. At the same time, Stephen turns his attention to his own past, uncovering memories of steam trains from his childhood. Their separate inquiries run in parallel, with Mike focusing on the station’s on‑screen legacy and the accommodation that catered to film crews and tourists, while Stephen revisits the nostalgic world of steam that shaped his early years. Both journeys reveal different facets of Steyning’s heritage in vivid detail, for future generations to appreciate.

Mike sets out to investigate the cinematic side of Steyning Station, delving into the films that featured the locale and tracing the hotels that were once favoured by visitors. At the same time, Stephen turns his attention to his own past, uncovering memories of steam trains from his childhood. Their separate inquiries run in parallel, with Mike focusing on the station’s on‑screen legacy and the accommodation that catered to film crews and tourists, while Stephen revisits the nostalgic world of steam that shaped his early years. Both journeys reveal different facets of Steyning’s heritage in vivid detail, for future generations to appreciate.

In this episode, Stephen delves into Steyning’s steam‑era past, uncovering hidden details about the town’s industrial heritage. He combs through archival material, old photographs and local anecdotes, piecing together how the steam age influenced daily life and the built environment. Meanwhile, Mike explores a flat that has been created within a converted railway auction house, inspecting its rooms and noting the blend of preserved railway features with contemporary living spaces. His walk‑through highlights how the historic structure has been repurposed for modern use, and he observes the original timber beams, the reclaimed brickwork and the way natural light floods the interior, illustrating the careful balance between heritage and comfort.

In this episode, Stephen delves into Steyning’s steam‑era past, uncovering hidden details about the town’s industrial heritage. He combs through archival material, old photographs and local anecdotes, piecing together how the steam age influenced daily life and the built environment. Meanwhile, Mike explores a flat that has been created within a converted railway auction house, inspecting its rooms and noting the blend of preserved railway features with contemporary living spaces. His walk‑through highlights how the historic structure has been repurposed for modern use, and he observes the original timber beams, the reclaimed brickwork and the way natural light floods the interior, illustrating the careful balance between heritage and comfort.

It’s a programme that brings together Stephen’s reflections on the closure of Steyning Station and Mike’s interviews with the colourful auction legends John Penfold and David Marshall. The episode presents Stephen’s contemplation of the shutdown of Steyning Station, where he shares his thoughts and memories about the loss. At the same time, the show features Mike’s conversations with Penfold and Marshall, during which they speak about their lives in the auction world. Together, these segments combine Stephen’s reflective commentary with the lively interviews, creating a broadcast that juxtaposes personal recollection with the vibrant personalities of two well‑known figures in the auction trade. The format alternates between Stephen’s reflective monologue and the interview portions, giving listeners a balanced view of both the station’s history and the auctionists’ colourful characters.

It’s a programme that brings together Stephen’s reflections on the closure of Steyning Station and Mike’s interviews with the colourful auction legends John Penfold and David Marshall. The episode presents Stephen’s contemplation of the shutdown of Steyning Station, where he shares his thoughts and memories about the loss. At the same time, the show features Mike’s conversations with Penfold and Marshall, during which they speak about their lives in the auction world. Together, these segments combine Stephen’s reflective commentary with the lively interviews, creating a broadcast that juxtaposes personal recollection with the vibrant personalities of two well‑known figures in the auction trade. The format alternates between Stephen’s reflective monologue and the interview portions, giving listeners a balanced view of both the station’s history and the auctionists’ colourful characters.

Stephen says his goodbyes to Steyning before heading off. As he makes his way through the streets he bumps into a handful of colourful locals, each adding a splash of personality to his final hours there. He exchanges a few words with several of them, sharing brief smiles and friendly greetings. One of the people he meets is the warden of the nearby nature reserve, a figure described as fantastic. The encounter with the warden, set against the backdrop of the reserve, rounds off Stephen’s farewell, leaving him with a vivid impression of the community he’s leaving behind. The warden’s enthusiasm for the reserve’s wildlife shines through, making the meeting feel especially memorable.

Stephen says his goodbyes to Steyning before heading off. As he makes his way through the streets he bumps into a handful of colourful locals, each adding a splash of personality to his final hours there. He exchanges a few words with several of them, sharing brief smiles and friendly greetings. One of the people he meets is the warden of the nearby nature reserve, a figure described as fantastic. The encounter with the warden, set against the backdrop of the reserve, rounds off Stephen’s farewell, leaving him with a vivid impression of the community he’s leaving behind. The warden’s enthusiasm for the reserve’s wildlife shines through, making the meeting feel especially memorable.