Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Journey on the Coronation Scot
Princess Alice' hauls her passengers to Scotland aboard the streamlined Coronation Scot in this dazzling film from the late 1930s
From the collection of:
Overview
One of the London Midland & Scottish railway's crack streamliners, 6223 'Princess Alice' backs onto her train at Euston Station before departing with the 1.30pm Coronation Scot. Comprised of specially designed streamlined stock, the train would make only one stop at Carlisle before arriving in Glasgow at 8pm. Some remarkable, and risky, shots taken from the rear of the train, capture the thrill of 1930s high-speed rail travel as we charge through the passing landscape.
Hubert Davies, who made this remarkable film, was a professional photographer. His journey on the Coronation Scot gives us a valuable glimpse, from a passenger's point-of-view, of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway's high-speed train service to Glasgow, on the West Coast mainline. The 1.30pm Coronation Scot, was a response to the London and North Eastern Railway's rival service to Edinburgh called The Coronation, which left Kings Cross at 4pm. It ran on the East Coast mainline and was also hauled by newly introduced streamlined locomotives called A4s. High speed running on both lines was curtailed a few years after this film was made when, as a wartime safety measure, rail speeds were reduced.
Related
The Kiss in the Tunnel The Kiss in the Tunnel
Comedy 1899 2 mins Silent
A snatched kiss in a railway tunnel, played by real-life married couple GA Smith and Laura Bayley
Railways for Ever! Railways for Ever!
Documentary 1970 7 mins
Sir John Betjeman reminisces about the phasing out of the mainline steam operation.
The Great Barrier The Great Barrier
Western 1937 81 mins
Ambitious, stirring British Western that pits man against the elements in the battle to drive a railway through the Canadian Rockies
The Liverpool Railway Centenary The Liverpool Railway Centenary
Non-Fiction 1930 1 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Transports of delight as the Liverpool and Manchester Railway celebrates its centenary
The Ghost Train The Ghost Train
Comedy 1931 39 mins
Surviving footage of the first sound version of Arnold Ridley's famous railway station comedy thriller
Pathways of Perfection Pathways of Perfection
Travelogue 1937 17 mins Silent
The Royal Scot, the Flying Scotsman, the Cornish Riviera and the Golden Arrow: famous trains considered to be upholders of a great British tradition
Night Mail Night Mail
Documentary 1936 24 mins Location: Euston Sta
The flagship of the GPO Film Unit's output and a cornerstone of British documentary, featuring music by Benjamin Britten and the verse of W.H. Auden.
Playing the Environment Game Playing the Environment Game
Documentary 1973 29 mins Location: Euston Sta
In Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Tolmers Square in London, campaigners challenge property developers' plans
Mid Wales Express and Sir Haydn Mid Wales Express and Sir Haydn
Home movie 1984 7 mins Silent Location: Bitterne
The Mid Wales Express is on tour with star attraction βSir Haydnβ, a Talyllyn Railway locomotive, the aim being to promote Wales as an ideal location for industry and tourism.
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.
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.
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 Archiveβs role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
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.
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.
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.