National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/b9f7430c6de1461aeb2b49605a39310c.jpg?itok=LhRJEj7M)
Great Orme Railway
Not for the faint-hearted: a high-speed version of the descent of the Great Orme, Llandudno, on the only cable-hauled, public road tramway in Britain.
From the collection of:
![Logo for National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/NSSAW.jpg?itok=d_ytl5tN)
Overview
Steel yourself: this is a take-your-breath-away high-speed descent of the only cable-hauled, public road tramway in Britain: the Great Orme Railway, Llandudno (known originally – in 1902 - as the Great Orme Tramway and reverting to this name in 1977). The footage was shot by P J Smith (1899-1989), a member of the RAF Photographic Section during WWII. He supplied material for newsreels and, at one time, operated as a seaside stills photographer in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/b3d7930105ae33d56e3d210f260ac325.jpg?itok=L1tzqKcE)
Wexford Railway Station (1902) Wexford Railway Station (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent
A flurry of activity at Wexford Railway Station as passengers alight an Edwardian steam train.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/689d477cc28a8e2f8d43df102f9c7e09.jpg?itok=zzBaGwpN)
Bicton Woodland Railway Bicton Woodland Railway
Current affairs 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Bicton Park
Bicton Woodland Railway reopens to passengers for the summer season
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/53663c724f53ec312edd8cb494cb2e06.jpg?itok=840K_A1u)
Godfrey Davies: The Last Train from Peterchurch Godfrey Davies: The Last Train from Peterchurch
Amateur film 1953 5 mins Silent Location: Peterchurch
Railway services on the Golden Valley line in Herefordshire slip into history.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/5d5e1f33373f79ce25afcd45ea3f5c77.jpg?itok=UAIN6ANI)
Folkestone's Leas Lift Cliff Railway and the Crab & Winkle line. Folkestone's Leas Lift Cliff Railway and the Crab & Winkle line.
Amateur film 1955 16 mins Silent
A triple treat for rail fans is featured here with signalbox action, a seaside cliff-railway and an eerie walk along the ghost of a line - plus a bonus for aviation enthusiasts
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/6c2f9c4667a0e72a7f6e83dfe9ec3b76.jpg?itok=ozQpm39p)
The Southern Railway Runs a Special! ...To Their Flower Show at Raynes Park The Southern Railway Runs a Special! ...To Their Flower Show at Raynes Park
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Raynes Park
Pint-sized propulsion on a miniature steam railway delights the young and old
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/3454aba2cfb95ade32a3a6b223963845.jpg?itok=zmfxZC6z)
Train Ride to Devil's Bridge Train Ride to Devil's Bridge
Travelogue 1964 11 mins Location: Aberystwyth
12 miles of magic as we journey on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, one of the Great Little Trains of Wales
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_211463_01of01.jpg?itok=Q__dHLK7)
From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff
Home movie 1958 4 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Donald Duck comes home with the Sunday School trippers from Bethel Chapel, Dyserth!
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/784e305bc3ef0a66620b7526d4c475da_0.jpg?itok=8Cg8gkgR)
Piers of the Realm Piers of the Realm
Amateur film 1992 7 mins Location: Southport
A concise and colourful history of the feature that every seaside resort should have.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/9be90e639d4e7739314e9a30ffdbc2b8_0.jpg?itok=LayTQdRT)
Old Age Pensioners First Visit to Seaside Old Age Pensioners First Visit to Seaside
News 1973 5 mins Location: Llandudno
Far from their Black Country home, Edie and Mick experience their first trip to see the sea.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/c5e88dc8a15e71fdf3117602efc42e30_0.jpg?itok=zMzusaVT)
Welsh Story Welsh Story
Travelogue 1941 14 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Romance blossoms amongst the donkeys on the beach at Llandudno and the glories of north Wales are explored, from piers, lakes, hills of sheep.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/44d7745b14ed96de49f6e5c978ed2ba9.jpg?itok=tUC0LfzB)
Welsh Magic Welsh Magic
Travelogue 1946 8 mins Silent Location: Shrewsbury
Pin-sharp post-war views of the welshest parts of Wales, from slate and coal mines to the fine cities like Aberystwyth.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/47db193d11659e30efe5151cb4f81d00_0.jpg?itok=pG_13zGW)
In Happy Valley In Happy Valley
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Llandudno's Rose Queen looks resplendent as she receives her crown on Alexandra Rose Day in June 1929.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/silverhazeqaextended_0.jpg?itok=T-FOBodE)
Silver Haze - Exclusive Q&A Silver Haze - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 29 mins
Vicky Knight sits down with Rowan Woods for an extended discussion on the making of the film Silver Haze. *Contains Spoilers*
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/cymande.jpg?itok=Jqu3O2zo)
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/west-case1.jpg?itok=A5Q_9vtZ)
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/scala5.jpg?itok=qfLzK5jz)
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.