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Train to the Future
All change! The railways embodied the spirit of modernity in the 19th century, and technology has wrought huge changes ever since.
Railways always point ahead. At least before the digital revolution, it's hard to think of any industry so preoccupied with its own future. No other industry has survived such comprehensive change. From steam to diesel to electric and the introduction ever more sophisticated signalling, Britain's railways are always a work in progress. But passion for the railways runs so high that modernisation has always been double-edged - some still tremble at the name of Dr Beeching...
Solutions?Solutions?
Documentary 1972 8 mins
A musical illustration of life where road traffic chaos breeds anger and frustration, but the rail network is fast, smooth and relaxing
Farewell to SteamFarewell to Steam
Amateur film 1966 3 minsSilent Location: Hampshire
A film maker's attempt to record the last steam-hauled passenger and freight trains running along the West of England mainline from Waterloo
Track TestingTrack Testing
1976 8 minsSilent
Testing times as we make a journey on board British Rail's High Speed Track Recording Coach.
Training Diesel DriversTraining Diesel Drivers
News 1962 6 mins Location: Derby
Farewell to the faithful steam war-horse as modernisation brings diesel power to the railways of Britain.
Inter-city MagicInter-city Magic
Documentary 1977 1 minsSilent
Not-so-special special effects add the magic touch to this kitsch British Rail commercial.
The George Bennie Railplane System of TransportThe George Bennie Railplane System of Transport
1930 23 minsSilent
High-speed luxury travel up to 150mph: the future of rail travel is in the air and it's going to be great for British steel
Inter-city 1250Inter-city 1250
Travelogue 1982 5 mins
King's Cross to Peterborough at 1250 miles per hour on board the Intercity 125
Making of WokingMaking of Woking
Amateur film 1985 15 mins Location: Woking
An award winning amateur film tracing the transformation of Woking, from open heath to modern commuter-belt town. The film also features the famous Brookwood Necropolis.
Woman Train DriverWoman Train Driver
Current affairs 1980 3 mins Location: West Somerset Railway
Amy enters traditional male preserve of train driving
Anglia ElectrificationAnglia Electrification
Sponsored film 1982 19 mins Location: Norwich
Electro-rock background music plays as engineers work on the rail lines to deliver electrification in East Anglia, for this is the βhigh speed eighties!β
Great Western PortsGreat Western Ports
Industry sponsored film 1929 86 minsSilent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
"Any Ware to Anywhere" - a film advertising the thoroughly modern merits of the Great Western Railway ports (e.g. Cardiff, Newport, Barry, Port Talbot, Swansea, Fishguard).
Last Goods Train from SheringhamLast Goods Train from Sheringham
Amateur film 1964 6 minsSilent Location: Sheringham
The very last freight train departs from Sheringham Station on 28th December 1964, following the withdrawal of the service in the wake of the Beeching Report.
The Introduction of the InterCity 125 to TruroThe Introduction of the InterCity 125 to Truro
Current affairs 1980 1 minsSilent Location: Truro
The Mayor of Truro John Farndon at the launch of British Railβs new InterCity 125 high-speed train
Cambridge - St IvesCambridge - St Ives
Amateur film 1968 8 minsSilent Location: Cambridge
Amateur film capturing the Cambridge to St Ives Eastern Rail route prior to its closure following the Beeching Report.
Threat of ClosureThreat of Closure
Amateur film 1968 10 minsSilent Location: Aldeburgh
Amateur filmmaker Chib Thorp captures scenic views of the Norfolk countryside and familiar landmarks as his train zips along on the Dereham Central to Norwich Thorpe rail route.
EnterpriseEnterprise
Amateur film 1970 3 minsSilent Location: Belfast
There are no signs of steam locomotives as amateur film maker A. H. Martin captures a new age in rail travel.
Neville Chamberlain Opens New Railway StationNeville Chamberlain Opens New Railway Station
Non-Fiction 1926 4 minsSilent Location: Welwyn Garden City
Empire News Bulletin record the Conservative Minister Neville Chamberlain at Welwyn Station's official opening ceremony.
Any More For Birdbrook?Any More For Birdbrook?
Amateur film 1961 21 mins Location: Yeldhams
Picturesque views of the East Anglian countryside, often the view from a train chugging along accompany the filmmakerβs wry commentary about the Birdbrook Station closure.
Wires over the BorderWires over the Border
Industry sponsored film 1974 18 mins
An account, in human and non-technical terms, of the electrification of the West Coast main line railway from Crewe to Glasgow
Jan 14 1965 Llanfyllin to Oswestry Branch LineJan 14 1965 Llanfyllin to Oswestry Branch Line
Amateur film 1965 18 minsSilent Location: Llansanffraid-ym-Mechain
One of the last journeys on the Llanfyllin Branch Line which, like the Oswestry and Newtown Railway, was cut by Beeching in 1965, both having been in use for just over a century.
Owen Humberstone Prosser - Ebbw ValeOwen Humberstone Prosser - Ebbw Vale
Amateur film 1959 16 minsSilent Location: Crumlin
Owen Humberstone Prosser, an expert on railways and canals, captured the Crumlin Viaduct on film in 1959, before its demolition in 1967, a victim of the Beeching rail cuts.
The West Somerset Railway Company Part IThe West Somerset Railway Company Part I
Current affairs 1976 4 mins Location: West Somerset Railway
The West Somerset Railway Company attempts to revive the line
The West Somerset Railway Company Part 2The West Somerset Railway Company Part 2
Current affairs 1976 6 mins Location: West Somerset Railway
West Somerset Railway in reshuffle
The West Somerset Railway Company Part 3The West Somerset Railway Company Part 3
Current affairs 1978 3 mins Location: Taunton
West Somerset Railway forestalls closure
Plant Display, Ponteland, June 1961Plant Display, Ponteland, June 1961
Industry sponsored film 1961 19 minsSilent Location: Ponteland
Interest in the renewing of railway track might be confined to a select group, but the bewildering variety of equipment on show here cannot help but impress and fascinate.
The Long DragThe Long Drag
Documentary 1963 51 mins Location: Settle
Not just a chance to see locomotives steaming over viaducts, with the axe hanging over both, here we have the full glory of the Settle to Carlisle line, and its place in rural life.
Your New RailwayYour New Railway
News 1967 20 mins Location: Birmingham
The first electric train glides out of the rebuilt New Street Station in Birmingham - the culmination of years of engineering work that brought a new standard of travel to Britain.
Margam Marshalling Yard - the system of automatic controlMargam Marshalling Yard - the system of automatic control
Industry sponsored film 1961 20 mins Location: Margam
Skill, ingenuity and gravity, combined with a βhumpβ or slope, have produced Europeβs first automated yard for organising thousands of railway wagons at Margam, Port Talbot.
Great Central RailwayGreat Central Railway
News 1962 5 mins Location: Chesterfield
Doctor Beeching sounds the death knell for the Great Central main line.
Shrub Hill Railway StationShrub Hill Railway Station
News 1972 5 mins Location: Shrub Hill Sta
With eighty trains a day stopping at Shrub Hill station in Worcester the staff haven't become the fastest dispatchers in the West of England region for nothing.
Railway CateringRailway Catering
News 1979 6 mins
Trying (but failing) to avoid the jokes about curled up sandwiches, John Swallow finds out if the food's really as bad on the West Coast Main Line as people say it is.
Consall VillageConsall Village
News 1965 5 mins Location: Consallforge
With the railway line gone the only access to Consall Forge is via a private toll road. Will the tiny Staffordshire hamlet survive?
Kineton Signal BoxKineton Signal Box
News 1965 4 mins Location: Kineton
Dr Beeching has ensured that the last train has now departed from Kineton so what is there to do but drink tea and enjoy the quiet life?
To Build an Island's FutureTo Build an Island's Future
Promotional 1954 7 mins Location: Loughborough
Through blazing sun and monsoon rain new British built diesel locomotives keep communications open on the far off island of Ceylon.
Sale of Railway FittingsSale of Railway Fittings
News 1964 5 mins Location: Derby
A sentimental sale or simply for profit? British Railways sells off the history that doesn't fit with the swinging sixties.
The End Of A LineThe End Of A Line
Amateur film 1962 10 minsSilent Location: Coniston
A filmic lament to the closure of a railway line located amidst the beautiful Cumbrian countryside captured by East Anglian amateur filmmaker Ron Wing.
On Line into the NinetiesOn Line into the Nineties
Documentary 1987 26 mins Location: Norwich
There are many hands on the job as new replaces old on the Great Eastern rail route, including replacing the magnificent Trowse Swing bridge in Norwich.
The Swansong of SteamThe Swansong of Steam
Amateur film 1970 17 minsSilent Location: Ardee
Steam locomotives await their fate as a new era dawns. Witness final working year of steam and the burgeoning nostalgic tours of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.
Anglia Reports - Railways Transport SpecialAnglia Reports - Railways Transport Special
Documentary 1982 24 mins Location: Norwich
1982 was a particularly bad year for rail commuters, with five weeks of rail strikes to contend with. Anglia Television asks, βWhat shall we do with the railways system?β
Lostwithiel Railway Station in disrepairLostwithiel Railway Station in disrepair
Current affairs 1976 1 minsSilent Location: Lostwithiel
Lostwithiel Station in British Railways waiting room
Southern RailwaySouthern Railway
Amateur film 1937 40 minsSilent
This stunning film by Eric J. Sparks, features a variety of steam and electric action for fans of the Southern Railway - from luxury Pullmans to humble shunters at Brighton works
Southern Electric Brighton Belle PullmanSouthern Electric Brighton Belle Pullman
Amateur film 1967 9 minsSilent
Sit back and watch the world's only all Pullman, electric train service make its luxurious way up and down the Brighton line in this film from the mid-sixties
The Last Horse-Drawn Tram in IrelandThe Last Horse-Drawn Tram in Ireland
Amateur film 1954 22 minsSilent Location: Mullan
Travel through the ages and experience the last horse drawn tram in Ireland. As steam and horses give way to diesel and electric witness N. Ireland whilst they still share the road.
Rush HourRush Hour
Documentary 1970 3 mins
Rush hour at Waterloo Station is condensed into three minutes in this breakneck short from Nick Nicholls.
The Last Train to Blaenau 22.1.61The Last Train to Blaenau 22.1.61
Amateur film 1961 7 minsSilent Location: Bala/Y Bala
A very Special goodbye to the Bala-Blaenau line organised by the Stephenson Locomotive Society.
Belief in the FutureBelief in the Future
Training film/TV programme 1976 14 mins
Gripping speech to railway staff by British Rail chief Peter Parker offers a 1970s view of the future.
In Case of FireIn Case of Fire
Non-Fiction 1931 1 mins
In case of fire, call Mr Morrisβ baby fire engine, demonstrated here in the grounds of Cowley works.
Locomotive JubileeLocomotive Jubilee
Documentary 1962 6 mins
Prince Phillip drives a Warship loco at an exhibition of locomotive development held at Marylebone Station.
Railways TodayRailways Today
Documentary 1947 16 mins
Is nationalisation the answer to Britain's post-war railway problems? The Labour government thinks so.
Using TopsUsing Tops
Industry sponsored film 1978 19 mins
British Rail freight movement made fascinating - and fun.
Who Voted for This? - The Nationalisation of the RailwaysWho Voted for This? - The Nationalisation of the Railways
Campaigning film 1948 1 mins
Little lad Sam innocently sets the scene for some stern political pronouncements on rail nationalisation
Camwell Personal Film no. 129: Shropshire and Montgomeryshire RailwayCamwell Personal Film no. 129: Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway
Amateur film 1962 3 minsSilent
Stephenson Locomotive Society members visit the former Colonel Stephenβs railway for a Last Day special.
Camwell Personal Film No. 61: Reopening of Welshpool & Llanfair RailwayCamwell Personal Film No. 61: Reopening of Welshpool & Llanfair Railway
Amateur film 1963 2 minsSilent
The Earl and Countess are in the limelight as the Welshpool and Llanfair railway is declared open as a preserved railway.
Camwell Personal Film No. 62: Welshpool Raven Square RailwayCamwell Personal Film No. 62: Welshpool Raven Square Railway
Amateur film 1963 1 minsSilent
A short colour glimpse of preserved Welshpool steam on the βotherβ side of Raven Square.
Camwell Personal Film No. 44: August Bank Holiday 1959Camwell Personal Film No. 44: August Bank Holiday 1959
Amateur film 1959 3 minsSilent
A whistle-stop trip along Great Eastern lines as we take in many closed and long-lamented stations.