The Archive Series of railway videos features the United Kingdom's rail network from the 1920s to the 1980s with the primary emphasis on the steam era, although contemporary film of early diesel classes is often included where this compliments the theme of the programme.
The Archive Series of railway videos features the United Kingdom's rail network from the 1920s to the 1980s with the primary emphasis on the steam era, although contemporary film of early diesel classes is often included where this compliments the theme of the programme.
Linking Sheffield and Manchester, the 40 mile route penetrated the Pennine barrier at Woodhead, before descending to Manchester and was Britain’s first main line to use overhead electric power when opened in 1954. Primary motive power was the1500V D.C. EM1 (Class76) and EM2 (Class 77) electric locomotives. The EM2s were sold to the Netherlands Rlys, but the CL 76 continued until the lines closure in 1981. Scenes at Sheffield (Victoria), Rotherwood, Wath, Worsborough Bank, Penistone, Dunford Bridge, Woodhead, Torside, Guide Bridge, Manchester (Piccadilly) and other locations were recorded -some with original sound - between 1954 and 1984 and provide a fascinating reminder of this magnificent route. Learn More
Compiled from archive film taken mainly in the 1960s, this video covers parts of the once extensive rail network of the industrial West Riding of Yorkshire. Leeds Central and City stations, the depots of Copley Hill and Holbeck, together with the route to Doncaster via Ardsley and Wakefield are featured plus Doncaster Works scrap line and Ardsley MPD. Travelling from Leeds, Bradford (Exchange and Forster Square) Low Moor, Huddersfield and the once important rail centres of Mirfield and nearby Heaton Lodge Junction are shown. With additional film of Batley, Cleckheaton and Shipley, this video displays a wide variety of steam power. Learn More
At Crewe, a wide variety of traction is portrayed, from humble 'Jintys' to Duchess Pacifics, plus visiting ex-GWR locomotives. Travelling northwards from Crewe, Warrington (Bank Quay) Station and Wigan (Spring Branch) depot are featured, followed by views of Preston including the roofless Preston shed with its stored 'Patriots' and ex-LNWR locos. The tape also features Lancaster, Carnforth, Penrith, the famous Shap incline with Tebay station and depot, plus Shap station before Carlisle is reached. Scenes at Kingmoor, Canal and Upperby depots are completed by views at Citadel station.. A special feature of this video are the scenes at Crewe, Penrith, Tebay at Carlisle filmed in 1931 depicting many different pre-grouping locos at work. Learn More
Covering primarily the 1930s, 60s and 70s, the programme starts at Newcastle Central Station in 1931, with a wide variety of ex-NER locos. Tyneside's industrial lines are represented at Backworth Colliery. A brakevan trip from Morpeth and Widdrington complement film taken in 1965 of the branches to Hepscott and Alnwick. After Berwick and Tweedmouth, the Scottish Border is crossed and unique, mainly colour sequences shot between 1938 and 1956 feature fully streamlined A4s, N ER Atlantics, V2s, a steam railcar and others. Post-war footage of D49s, plus an A3 in experimental blue livery is complemented by film of diesel Class 26s and 40s shortly after their introduction. A comprehensive view of St. Margarets depot is followed by scenes in Edinburgh Waverley, between 1929 and the 1990s. Learn More
Starting at Mirfield depot, the programme heads west to Heaton Lodge Jct. following the Colne Valley route through Huddersfield to the Standedge tunnels, plus views of the Penistone line. From Heaton Lodge the Calder Valley line is traced through Elland to Todmorden with its steep climb to Copy Pit. From Leeds, the Aire Valley is followed to Shipley and Bradford where the Queensbury route is featured through to the Worth Valley and Keighley. On the Midland mainline, Skipton and Hellifield are viewed together with Settle Jct., where the line from Clapham Jct. to Low Gill is featured before returning to the mainline and the S & C route is followed to Ais Gill where the programme ends.
The programme follows the WCML from Carlisle to Glasgow starting with 1960s scenes at Carlisle's Citadel station and three MPDs with-amongst others-Duchesses, Princesses, Scots, Patriots, Jubilees, A4s, A3s, B1s -a Glen-plus early diesels! After film of the Waverley Route at Newcastleton, the WCML is traced northwards and the infamous Beattock incline is shown with bankers at work. Followed by views of Carstairs, Lanark, the 'Clayton-operated' Morningside branch, Motherwell, Polmadie and Glasgow Central, this is a superb visual record of the route that includes a special feature recalling the UK's worst rail disaster at Quintinshill in 1915. Learn More
Northampton’s two stations and MPD in the 1960s form the focus of this video, together with journeys on the routes to Wellingborough, Peterborough and Bedford. In addition, there is film of Stratford-upon-Avon and the former SMJ route through Fenny Compton from the 1920s to the 1960s; Rugby – including scenes inside the famous Test Plant, Banbury, Bletchley and scenes on the former GCR mainline at Woodford Halse and other locations. Duchesses, Jubilees, Scots, Crabs, 9Fs, LNER Pacifics, GWR 4-6-0s, pre-grouping locomotive designs and many other steam classes feature, together with early diesel and electric designs. Learn More
The programme starts in the south west of England and traces the former GWR route to London (Paddington) via Swindon and Didcot in the 1950s and ‘60s when steam - in the form of ex-GWR designs - still predominated. Action on the main line starts at the extremity of south west rail operation - Penzance. From there the main line is followed east with scenes at Gwinear Road, Chasewater, Truro, Par, Lostwithiel and the impressive junction layout at Liskeard, before the Saltash Bridge is crossed on the approaches to Plymouth. Arrival in London finds a fascinating array of steam and early diesel classes operating at Old Oak Common and Paddington - a fitting finale to this visual record of British Railways’ Western Region in the steam era. Learn More
Carlisle to Hawick, Galashiels and the Peebles branch plus scenes at Jedburgh, followed by Dumfries and Kirkcudbright. Leaving the border area, the Gourock to Glasgow line is followed before heading eastwards into Clackmannan and Fife, with views at Alloa, Dunfermline, Charlestown, Lumphinnans, Thornton and the Fife Coast Line to Lundin Links. Further north, the Forfar area is viewed before travelling on the Ballater Branch, finishing with a journey to Banff and Macduff. Learn More
Starting at Castleford's Central Station, this programme journeys through parts of the former West Riding of Yorkshire during the 1960s, when, despite the increasing presence of diesel traction, the steam locomotive was still an everyday sight. Featuring shots from Castleford, Normanton, Wakefield, Arsdley, Dewsbury and Osset, then passing through Brighouse towards Sowerby Bridge and the Pennines. Also featuring footage from Church Fenton to Tadcaster including the branch's final freight service. Learn More
The programme begins at York in 1964 before heading to Malton, from where a journey on the pick-up goods to Gilling and Coxwold is recorded, plus views of the closed route to Market Weighton. A regular passenger working from Malton to Pickering and Whitby is joined, featuring views of the picturesque North Yorkshire Moors: plus a journey from Middlesbrough to Grosmont via Battersby.
Between 1966 and 1970, more than four million tons of stone was transported by rail from Magheramorne, near Larne, to Belfast for use in the construction of the M2 motorway. This immense undertaking was carried out by daily steam-operated workings that consisted of specially constructed side-discharge hopper wagons, powered by 2-6-4 tank locomotives, known as 'Jeeps'. These workings were the last commercial use of steam traction in Northern Ireland and the last example of revenue-earning broad-gauge steam operation in Great Britain.
The programme starts at Perth in 1961, with a wide variety of locomotive classes - including ex-LMS and ex-LNER ‘Pacifics’ - viewed at Perth General Station and the locomotive depot. After views on the Glenfarg route south of Perth the branch lines to Crieff and the Gleneagles Hotel feature, with a ‘Caley Jumbo’ No.57261 shunting in Gleneagles station, after which it travels to Blackford with the ‘pick-up’ goods.
In September 1935, the first of the Class A4 Pacifics emerged from the London North Eastern Railway’s Doncaster Locomotive Works. With their futuristic streamlined design and high-speed running, they quickly established themselves as favourites amongst both the travelling public and rail enthusiasts. Learn More
"…and enjoyable and informative reminder of late steam days in Scotland….."The Railway Modeller
Described by the LMS as ‘The Gateway to Scotland’, Carlisle is the starting point of the programme with scenes filmed in 1962 at Citadel Station and Kingmoor Depot. Steam traction is predominant, with ‘Duchess’ Pacifics still handling WCML expresses! Learn More
