The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
All Change
Looking down the line on Durham station as the diesel age gathers pace on British railways.
From the collection of:
Overview
Durham station plays the waiting game as Beeching’s report shakes up British railways in the 1960s. A rail enthusiast from Bede College turns his wistful eye on the old station, finding beauty and a poetry of obsolescence in signal gantries, glazed verandas, a water crane, coal mounds and cast iron stoves, worn steps with shiny nails, and a full bogie brake for an East Coast pigeon special. Out of time, the scrawled writing is on the wall: “Down with Diesel”.
Without bells, whistles or music, this amateur film follows in the wake of Beeching’s 1963 report. Once a symbol of British modernity, the railways were now stuck in a Victorian time warp. The recommended plans for modernisation in 1955 after years of neglect were not entirely welcome. Prime Minister Winston Churchill felt a big spend would be “bolstering up an obsolete form of transport”. In May 1964, Durham lost its branch services and became a main line through station only. Lovingly recorded in All Change, Thomas Posser’s old station building became the parcels depot. His up platform Victorian iron and glass veranda was replaced in 1972. Regular main line steam operations officially ended in 1968.
Related
Watch for free
Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1964 11 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Is comedian Clive Dunn the Don Draper of the British advertising world? Watch this imaginative Tyne Tees TV marketing film and decide.
Watch for free
Geordie Jubilee Geordie Jubilee
Promotional 1987 4 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A big Geordie welcome to the north east from comrades at NERIAC.
Watch for free
In Pawn In Pawn
Amateur film 1952 16 mins Silent Location: Durham
Fur flies in a delightfully cynical 1950s cine club comedy about marriage and infidelity.
Watch for free
A Pocketful of Fear A Pocketful of Fear
Amateur film 1963 11 mins Silent Location: West Boldon
Buckle up for some asphalt angst on a tense 1960s road trip on and off the A19.
Watch for free
800 Years A City 800 Years A City
Amateur film 1979 15 mins Location: Durham
‘Soak the Serf’ for 3 groats along with the revellers and laughing nuns at Durham City’s 800th anniversary celebrations.
Watch for free
Downstream Through Durham Downstream Through Durham
Amateur film 1957 33 mins Silent Location: Killhope Moor
Banners and brass and North Country quilters: just some of the working class traditions and crafts encountered on a trip along the River Wear.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.