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
Video Player is loading.
Margam Marshalling Yard - the system of automatic control
Skill, ingenuity and gravity, combined with a ‘hump’ or slope, have produced Europe’s first automated yard for organising thousands of railway wagons at Margam, Port Talbot.
From the collection of:
Overview
Kenneth Kendall – a household name as a BBC newsreader from the 1950s-1970s - narrates over striking shots of the maze of railway lines used to marshall or organise thousands of railway wagons at the first automated yard in Europe. Gravity, together with a ‘hump’ or slope, has been harnessed to move the wagons about this giant yard in their thousands, assisted by traffic officers, tally men and maintenance crew.
Related
Watch for free
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
Watch for free
Farewell to Steam Farewell to Steam
Amateur film 1966 3 mins Silent 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
Watch for free
Track Testing Track Testing
1976 8 mins Silent
Testing times as we make a journey on board British Rail's High Speed Track Recording Coach.
Watch for free
Training Diesel Drivers Training 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.
Watch for free
Inter-city Magic Inter-city Magic
Documentary 1977 1 mins Silent
Not-so-special special effects add the magic touch to this kitsch British Rail commercial.
Watch for free
The George Bennie Railplane System of Transport The George Bennie Railplane System of Transport
1930 23 mins Silent
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
Watch for free
Modern Wales Modern Wales
Industry sponsored film 1958 14 mins Location: Treforest Industrial Estate
A stirring hymn to Wales' postwar industrial renewal
Watch for free
Wenvoe Agricultural Show September 10th Wenvoe Agricultural Show September 10th
Amateur film 1947 10 mins Silent Location: Wenvoe
The pigs, ponies and beetroot of agricultural shows in south Wales – Wenvoe and Margam & Pyle.
Watch for free
Ingot Pictorial Number 20 1954 Ingot Pictorial Number 20 1954
Promotional 1954 22 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
Discover how steel has made Norman Hartnell dresses more accessible, how the industry is connected with Vampire jets and how its products are celebrated on Industrial Sunday.
Watch for free
Wales Wales
School programme and Educational film 1957 15 mins Location: Llanberis
The effect of geography on the economy of Wales and the effect of tradition and culture on the Welsh people
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.