FREE JOHN BETJEMAN ON TRAINS PDF John Betjeman,Jonathan Glancey | 48 pages | 01 May 2007 | Methuen Publishing Ltd | 9780413776129 | English | London, United Kingdom The Best Railway Poems Everyone Should Read – Interesting Literature Ever since the advent of the railways in the s, poets have John Betjeman on Trains drawn to trains and railways, whether because they John Betjeman on Trains them as a threat to the English landscape, or they sought to capture the romance of rail travel, or they saw the potential of the train journey to carry significance beyond the literal. Here are ten of the finest poems about trains from nearly two centuries of English literature. Is then no nook of English ground secure From rash assault? The Kendal and Windermere Railway was first proposed inand opened in Wordsworth opposed the building of the railway, believing it would destroy the beauty of the Lake District, and in addition to various letters to the Morning John Betjeman on Trainshe penned this sonnet, using poetry to put across the nature of his objections. In doing so, he became one of the first high-profile poets to write about the arrival of the railways — though admittedly, he is writing about the land before the railway was built. Faster than fairies, faster than witches, Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches; And charging along like troops in a battle, All through the meadows John Betjeman on Trains horses and cattle: All of the sights of the hill and the plain Fly as thick as driving rain; And ever again, in the wink of an eye, Painted stations whistle by …. Pound arrived at this two-line poem inafter writing a much longer draft which he then cut down, line by line. The poem, which is often cited as the archetypal Imagist poem, describes John Betjeman on Trains sight of the John Betjeman on Trains of commuters at the Paris Metro station, using a vivid and original image. Like Pound, F. Flint was an Imagist, though he and Pound disagreed over the precise form an Imagist poem should take. But one thing uniting them both — and, for that matter, their fellow Imagist, Richard Aldington — is an attraction to underground railway networks as a subject for poetry. Here, Flint conveys the bewildering and relatively modern experience of travelling on the London Underground. Yes, I remember Adlestrop — The name, because one afternoon Of heat the express-train drew up there Unwontedly. It was late John Betjeman on Trains. The steam hissed. Someone cleared his throat. No one left and no one came On the bare platform …. The origins of the poem lie in an event that took place on 24 JuneJohn Betjeman on Trains English poet Edward Thomas was on the Oxford to Worcester express train. The train made an unscheduled stop at Adlestrop formerly Titlestrop in Gloucestershire, a tiny village in the Cotswolds with a population of just over Thomas took the opportunity to fill his notebook with his observations of the place before the train started up again. Thomas would later write up his observations into this fine, understated poem, which has since become a national favourite. The other two railway poems by Betjeman included in the link above are also well worth reading. At every new station the train stops, Larkin notices newlyweds getting aboard ready to go on their honeymoons, and he begins to muse upon the significance of this train journey for the young couples. We find ourselves in a phone-box in that focal point for so much railway history, York, for this wonderful Meridithian sonnet. That concludes this pick of the best poems about trains and railways. Have we missed any off? Get us back on track with your recommendations below…. For more classic poetry, see John Betjeman on Trains poems about roadsthese classic religious poemsand these poems about birthdays. The author of this article, Dr Oliver Tearle, is a literary critic and lecturer in English at Loughborough University. Irlam, via Wikimedia Commons. Thank you so much! Thanks, Michelle — a great addition to the list. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. Email Address. Interesting Literature is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Share John Betjeman on Trains Tweet. Like this: Like Loading A nice compilation which would chug along in our memory for a long time! Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Subscribe via Email Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. Privacy Policy Privacy Policy. Interesting Literature. Sorry, your blog cannot share John Betjeman on Trains by email. Wolferton History - Sir John Betjeman - Wolferton Station Sir John Betjeman was a lifelong railway enthusiast and a frequent visitor to Norfolk with a passion for trains, churches, landscape and architecture. Inone hundred years after the Kings Lynn to Hunstanton railway opened its terminus by the sea, John Betjeman travelled on the 12 mile branch line by diesel. The design of the two-coach train allowed for a degree panoramic view for those sitting near the front. Along the way, Betjeman revels in the pleasures of the journey itself, the passing scenery and architecture, and the attractions of the intermediate stations of Snettisham and in particular Wolferton, before ending up at the buffers of Hunstanton, which directly faced the beach opposite the green with its Town Hall. The proceedings began at John Betjeman on Trains Wolferton Station, where estate manager John Betjeman on Trains Holland, welcomed thirty odd John Betjeman on Trains with an introduction on the platform. Shires Branch chairman Baz Morris then introduced presentations from key branch personnel, including Pamela Tawse, an ex Barts Hospital Nurse who knew Betjeman, and John Langford, a railway aficionado. John gave an amusing and informed talk on the history of the branch line. In another film made in Norfolk: A Passion for Churches, John Betjeman applies a wry but affectionate scrutiny to the churches, clergy and parishioners of the county. Originally a classic BBC documentary now available on DVD it is a touching eulogy to both the splendour and simplicity of English parish life, narrated by the late poet laureate. There is a memorable sequence featured in the film with a visit to Sandringham church. John Betjeman loved trains not just for themselves, but because they were a wonderful way of travelling through Britain and looking out, without ever having to drive, at ever changing townscapes and countryside. His poetic output may not have been as prolific if it were not for trains, as many of his famous stanzas were begun with jottings on cigarette cartons during steamy journeys in smoky railway carriages. And there are many more! Then there are poems about Norfolk. Betjeman had opened an exhibition of works by his great friend and fellow Oxford graduate, Osbert Lancaster, at the Castle Museum in Norwich, and he and his wife Penelope and the Lancasters had stayed with Roy and Wilhelmine Harrod at Bayfield Brecks, near Letheringsett. The network of railways that once intersected the county of Norfolk have now largely disappeared following the major culling of lines by the infamous Dr Richard Beeching in the nineteen sixties. The line closed on 5 May, John Betjeman was an active preservationist, unsuccessfully campaigning to save the Euston Arch, but successfully saving St. Pancras station. John Betjeman on Trains is a bronze statue of him by Martin Jennings, now standing proudly on the platform of St. Pancras International, the new Eurostar terminal. John Betjeman will forever be synonymous with trains and in particular with Wolferton Station. Railways were John Betjeman on Trains to last. The marvellous ongoing regeneration of Wolferton Station, thanks largely to the efforts of John Betjeman on Trains proud owner Mr Richard Brown, helps to create a present link with that glorious past. Sir John Betjeman Visits the Royal Station Wolferton Sir John Betjeman was a lifelong railway enthusiast and a frequent visitor to Norfolk with a passion for trains, churches, landscape and architecture. John Betjeman on Trains by Glancey Johnathon | Waterstones First transmitted inJohn Betjeman examines the Evercreech Junction to Burnham-on-Sea railway in Somerset, providing a unique profile of a working steam branch line railway. Betjeman provides a unique profile of a working steam branch line railway as he travels along the original part of the Somerset Central Railway. Examining towns and stations along the way, Betjeman laments the tragic decline of steam railways. The journey culminates with a stroll around Highbridge Wharf, sentimentally narrated with a poem that sums up Betjeman's despair; 'Highbridge Wharf, your hopes have died See all episodes from Let's Imagine. The documentaries that made Betjeman a much-loved figure on British television. Marking the 50th anniversary of the Beeching Report on the future of Britain's railways. Celebrating Britain's extraordinary Steam Railway legacy. Let's Imagine. Home Episodes Clips. Main content. Watch now. Show more. Show less. Available now 26 minutes. Last on. Sun 9 Jun John Betjeman on Trains Parliament. More episodes. A smashed-up branch line car Duration: Rediscover the documentaries that made Betjeman a John Betjeman on Trains figure on British television. Programmes are selected, in part, for their historical context and reflect the broadcast standards and attitudes of their time, which may not accord to some current BBC editorial guidelines. We aim to select programmes which can be shown in their entirety but in some cases edits are required. Fri 29 Mar BBC Television Service.