Classic Railway Newsreels

John Huntley and VIDEO 125 present a selection of fascinating Cinema newsreels.

Vol.1 – Steam
The 41 steam stories include - EARLY NEWSREELS: Corris Railway (1926), Old Locos eg. Puffing Billy (1926), Leek & Manifold (1927), Royal Scot in USA (1933), Silver Jubilee (1935), Coronation Scot (1937). WORLD WAR 2 & AFTER: Building “Austerities” (1943), GWR Oil Firing experiment (1946), Reopening of the RHDR (1946), Nationalisation (1948), Tavern in a Train (1949), Princess Elizabeth (1950), Doncaster Loco Spotters (1951). CRASHES: Bourne End (1945), Harrow & Wealdstone (1952), Sutton Coldfield (1955), Rugby (1955), Didcot (1955), Welwyn (1957), Lewisham (1957). END OF STEAM: Southwold Closes (1929), Brill Closes (1935), Last Crewe-built loco (1958), Longmoor Closes (1959), Last Swindon-built loco (1960), Last BR Steam Paddington (1965), Last BR Horse Newmarket (1967), End of steam Swindon (1968). PRESERVATION: Painting Forth Bridge (1927), Ffestiniog Centenary (1963), Reopening Welshpool (1963), Flying Scotsman (1963/73).

Vol.2 – Modern
The 47 modern traction stories include - INNOVATIONS: “First Streamlined Diesel Train”, Newcastle (1933), LNER “6701” electric (1941), LMS Diesel “1000” Euston (unseen footage 1947), Double Deck train Charing X (1949), Gas Turbine “18100” Codsall (1951), “XP 64” Marylebone (1964). OPENING & CLOSURES: London / Brighton electrification (1933), Central Line Tube extensions (1946/47), Swansea & Mumbles closure (1960), Victoria tube trials / opening (1968), Brighton Belle Ends (1972). MODERNISATION: “Deltic” first service (1955), “Swindon” DMU (1956), D8200 Euston (1957), D600 Warship Paddington (1958), Blue Pullman Marylebone (1960), New class 310 EMU (1965), WCML electrics (1966), “Kestrel” Marylebone (1968), “4 PEP” Waterloo (1973). ACCIDENTS: Charing Cross underground (1938), Northwood (Met) & Lichfield (1946), South Croydon (1947), Runaway DMU Royton (1961), Hither Green (1967). HIGH SPEED: “APT-E” (1972), IC 125 Prototype & inaugural run Cardiff (1976).

In addition, fascinating oddball stories from rail-inventions to human interest. Most stories in the above volumes, feature the original commentaries from the likes of Leslie Mitchell and Geoffrey Sumner. Narrated by John Huntley. 35mm Film (B&W/Colour)