``![]()
|
B & R Video Productions | |
|
Recalling the Great Days of Steam on British
Railways | |
|
"The Old Smithy" Uffington, Shrewsbury,
Shropshire, SY4 4SN. Tel: 01743-709680 | |
All our titles are available on DVD from
Volume 7 through to the latest Volume. There is no premium for the DVD
version - it is the same price as the VHS version |
|
||||||
The railways of Europe and the Far East played a vital role in periods of war. In the 20th.Century there were two World Wars and this production portrays most of the locomotive types that were built for service in both conflicts, primarily for the Allies. |
|
||||||
Jim Clemens Collection No.27. A record of the demise of steam on British railways during 1967 and 1968 in the North-West of England, seen mainly through the camera of Jim Clemens. |
|
||||||
The valleys of Wales once supplied coal to the world. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, some collieries were still shunted by steam locomotives. |
|
||||||
This is the next in our "Steam Route" series and features the 1960s days of steam traction between MANCHESTER and LANCASTER via WARRINGTON, WIGAN and PRESTON. In Manchester there are a few more views of steam at Manchester Victoria that leads, as does Platform 11, to Manchester Exchange. West of here was Patricoft shed, which is visited in its last year of steam operation. |
|
||||||
Jim Clemens Collection No.26. British Railways steam came to an end in the North Eastern Region in September 1967 and views of these workings are seen at RYEHOPE GRANGE along with the last passenger workings on the ALNWICK branch featuring K1 2-6-0 and Q6, J27 & 9F hauled freight trains at Tyne Dock in 1966. |
|
||||||
This video concentrates on the northern area of Wales and its borders from the North Wales coast through Chester to Gobowen. |
|
||||||
A further look at the West Coast Main Line in our series of videos that covers, in detail, the route from London Euston northwards to Carlisle and Glasgow. |
|
||||||
An archive video film of many types of Southern locomotives on various lines of the Southern Region. The South Western Division was the last to survive with steam traction up to the Summer of 1967. There is ample coverage of these lines from Waterloo to Basingstoke during a period from 1960 to 1967. |
|
||||||
Jim Clemens Collection No.25. JIM CLEMENS filmed the railways of Britain around the system from Scotland to Cornwall. The area covered in this volume just about finishes his travels for it is in an area to the east of the West Coast mainline from NUNEATON to BLETCHLEY. The previous time we were in this area was when he covered the Great Central route and its branches. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
| Steam in Western Europe in normal service outlasted that on British Railways by some years. This video gives a flavour of what could be seen in use in six countries over the English Channel, FRANCE, SPAIN, PORTUGAL, ITALY, AUSTRIA and WEST GERMANY. The locomotives were different, being in a number of cases larger than British ones. Wheel arrangements were sometimes not what had been seen in Britain. Eight coupled varieties were also often common. The loading gauge were often more generous and on the Iberian Peninsula the track gauge was wider. Even so, the countries did use narrow gauge quite widely. Types of locomotive that Britain only experimented with could be seen, such as Franco-Crosti, Giesel- fitted and oil-fired engines. Some locomotives were British built and these could be seen working into the 1970’s for those enthusiasts who ventured abroad to see or film them. Many of these locomotives can be seen in this video, from the smaller narrow gauge types to Pacifics, Heavy Freight engines, Beyer-Garratts and twelve coupled tank engines. Often spectacular scenery was encountered and winters with snow guaranteed. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
A video featuring the line
between MANCHESTER and CREWE. Particular emphasis is on the two places,
one a city and the other a railway town. Filmed in the 1960s, steam
traction predominates. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
A video covering the last section of the route of the
CAMBRIAN COAST EXPRESS from ABERYSTWYTH to PWLLHELI and what could be
seen in the area from the 1950s to the 1980s. We cover four narrow gauge
railways, the Vale of Rheidol, the Talyllyn, the Welsh Highland (1964)
and the Ffestiniog, and two miniature railways, the Fairbourne and Butlins,
Pwllheli. We even cover the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway! |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
Jim Clemens Collection Vol.24. Southern steam film from 1963 to 1966 on the South Western Division covering the main line from WATERLOO to SOUTHAMPTON on general day to day duties from the JIM CLEMENS archive film collection. Included is good coverage of the S15 Railtour over two weekends in January 1966, one on a bright day, the other in snowy conditions on the BENTLEY to BORDON branch, MEDSTEAD bank, ARELSFORD and EASTLEIGH line. Maunsell moguls working BROADSTONE to SALISBURY line in 1963. Visit the ISLE OF WIGHT system for O2s from RYDE to VENTNOR and COWES.BASINGSTOKE with a number of inter-regional trains featuring Western and Midland motive power alongside the many unrebuilt and rebuilt Bulleid Pacifics and Standard types. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
An archive programme of the CREWE to HOLYHEAD route via CHESTER and BANGOR. Filmed from 1960 to 1967 with occasional 1980’s visits from preserved steam locomotives providing a contrast. Motive power is mainly London Midland Region with Western Region at Chester. Branches from the route include BIRKENHEAD via HOOTON, the DYSERTH branch from PRESTATYN, DENBIGH from MOLD and RHYL, BLAEANAU FFESTINIOG and TRAWSFYNDD from LLANDUDNO JUNCTION and the AMLYCH branch.The PORT PENRHYN slate quarries to BETHESDA and DINORWIC system are also seen with narrow gauge locomotives. Locations visited include CREWE, CHESTER, SALTNEY JUNCTION, FLINT, TALACRE, RHYL, ABERGELE, LLANDUDNO, LLANDUDNO JUNCTION, BANGOR, MENAI BRIDGE and HOLYHEAD. Motive power includes Princess Coronations, Royal Scots, Jubilees, Britannias, Black 5s, 8Fs, Standard Classes and early diesels of Class 40 and 47, usually in green livery. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
Some steam lived on in the Welsh Valleys at least ten
years after its demise on British Railways.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
A further look at the West Coast Main Line in our series
of videos that covers in detail the route from London Euston northwards
to Carlisle and Glasgow. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
Jim Clemens Collection Vol.22. A
JIM CLEMENS video film of his travels around BIRMINGHAM and south thereof,
eventually reaching SWINDON and onto some Wiltshire branches.There is
coverage of the main line south of Birmingham Snow Hill through Hatton
to Leamington. Early film of an SLS 56xx class hauled tour to Henley
in Arden. Standard Class 2 hauled normal journey from WOLVERHAMPTON
to STOURBRIDGE via Round Oak. Bordesley steam and plenty of SNOW HILL
steam scenes. Visit Tyseley shed and just for interest, the 1500 panniers
at Coventry Colliery. The North Warwick line is traversed in 1968 |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
A review of the Scottish Region steam scene around
the Tay estuary area in the 1960s. This area covers PERTH, DUNDEE, MONTROSE,
STIRLING and GLENEAGLES. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
From The Brian Rogers Collection: A further look at British Railways steam traction from 1960 to 1967 filmed by life long enthusiast Dr. Brian Rogers of Worcester. Over half of the material was filmed on the Western
Region where he lived. Wonderful scenes around WORCESTER with Castles,
Halls, Granges and many freight types. The Midland route from GLOUCESTER
to the LICKEY incline includes a footplate ride on a Bromsgrove banking
engine. Visits to OXFORD, DIDCOT and HATTON. A drivers course on the
BROMYARD branch. The Golden Valley line through STROUD and the last
day on the KEMBLE branch. On to BRISTOL and down the Somerset &
Dorset to BOURNEMOUTH WEST. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Using all archive film taken over many years up to 1980, this film covers the operations on the LONDON TRANSPORT network on rail and road. Metropolitan Railways are seen with steam at Rickmansworth in 1961 taking over from electric locos. Lots of coverage of the LT pannier tanks at NEASDEN, CROXLEY, WATFORD, FARRINGDON and LILLIE BRIDGE. The Metropolitan electric locomotive tours of 1972. Tube trains of 'Q' stock, '38' stock on the Northern Line and A62 stock on the Epping to Ongar line and others. Road transport covers trams, trolleybuses in EDMONTON and some ex LT vehicles in Spain. Horse buses back on the London streets in 1979 with their history mixing with a few preserved examples of early motor buses. The RT buses in central London up to the last on Route 62 at BARKING. RLH types in East London and Routemasters including FRM1 at POTTERS BAR. Witness a visit to ALDENHAM WORKS and the skid pan at CHISWICK with an RT. LONDON COUNTRY routes with green RT, RML, RMC and RF. GREEN LINE with RM's and RP's around HARLOW. There are all-over advert liveried Routemasters, Silver Jubilee and Shoplinkers examples. RTW's at NIAGARA FALLS, WR, A very nostalgic period remembered of LONDON TRANSPORT's history. Filmed virtually all in excellent colour, with a sound track and informative commentary. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Jim Clemens Collection Vol.21. An
archive film of mainly steam on the lines of Cornwall including Western
and Southern motive power. We follow the Great Western main line from
SALTASH to PENZANCE, viewing the major stations along the route including
LISKEARD, TRURO, PAR, CHACEWATER, GWINEAR ROAD, ST. ERTH and PENZANCE.
There are visits to the LOOE, HELSTON, FALMOUTH, NEWQUAY and ST. IVES
branches and a visit to PAR HARBOUR for industrial steam and to NEWLYN
harbour with narrow gauge diesels. BODMIN to WADEBRIDGE and PADSTOW
on the Southern, including T9s. A 1960s visit to the FOREST RAILROAD
at DOBWALLS near Liskeard. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
This third volume in the series covering the Cambrian
Coast Express Route from London to Aberystwyth and Pwhelli, takes a
look at the line west of SHREWSBURY through the hills of Mid-Wales over
TALERDDIG summit. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The area covered in this archive video film is around
the Weald Area of Kent, Surrey and Sussex; from OXTED to BRIGHTON and
TONBRIDGE to GUILDFORD, with a visit to TUNBRIDGE WELLS. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The fifth volume in our series ALONG LMS LINES, takes
the story further north along the West Coast main line and covers WIGAN
to Preston, Lancaster and Carnforth. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Jim Clemens Collection Vol.21. An archive video
film of mainly steam on the lines of Devon that includes Western and
Southern motive power. The Southern lines include the Sidmouth Junction
to Exmouth branch via Budleigh Salterton and on to Exeter Central. There
is also coverage of the Exmoor Ranger tour, that went to Barnstaple
and Ilfracombe. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The third in our series of films on the East Coast mainline and others in the 1960's. This film begins with extensive coverage of PETERBOROUGH station in 1963 just before through steam services to London, were due to cease. All four classes of Pacific are seen with V1 and B1 back-up. Move on to SPALDING, a crossroad for railways, with much steam hauled traffic in 1963 with B1s, 9Fs, WDs and V2 motive power. The journey travels via DONCASTER and LEEDS from where a B16 took a rail-tour to BOROUGHBRIDGE and MIDDLETON with a V3 in attendance.The WAKEFIELD area and FRYSTON colliery and then on to SCARBOROUGH and Whitby on a rail-tour with 3442, before steam at YORK. The NEWCASTLE area had plenty of steam, serving the coalfields before heading north to BERWICK and finally a tribute to the A4 Class north of the border, showing nine of this class making a total of 14 A4s in this film. There are over 100 recognisable locomotives on this film of mainly ex-LNER motive power. A few industrial engines add interest and even a few early build Deltics appear. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Jim Clemens Collection Vol.20. This is the third
volume in a trilogy of videos on Scottish railways from the JIM CLEMENS
archive film collection and covers the Border region of Scotland south
of a line from Glasgow to Edinburgh. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
This second video about the CAMBRIAN COAST EXPRESS takes
a look at the section from SHREWSBURY to WELSHPOOL. Shrewsbury is covered
in great detail at the station and motive power depot. Engines from
both the Midland and Western Regions are seen including Castle, County,
Hall and Manor classes, Duchess, Jubilee, Black 5 and 8F off the Midland.
There are Ivatts and Standards especially in 1966. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
An overall look at steam traction around Britain with views from all Regions of British Railways with particular emphasis on the London Midland. Here, the West Coast main line is covered, particularly the Shap area with Princess Coronation Pacifics, Scots and Jubilees. Banking then was by LMS 2-6-4 tanks. Plenty of action on Dillicar troughs. Bescot, Chester and the Peak Forest line are also included. Western steam at Wednesbury, Shrewsbury and Chester area. The Southern with Pacifics and Moguls are seen on the South Western main line from Pirbright to Micheldever with the odd 9F thrown in and Q1s are seen. The Isle of Wight has the 02 class at Newport. Eastern scenes at Doncaster with Pacifics, Langwith area for freight. Scotland had the A4s and North British freight types on the branches. J27, Q6 and K1 worked the North East coal trains and K1s were on the Alnmouth branch. Finally a few Industrial tanks and a look at the end of steam in 1967 and 1968. A highlight at the start is some 1940's film of streamlined Duchess Pacifics.Filmed in colour, except for the 1940s material, this video takes a fascinating and nostalgic look back at the steam scene of the 1960’s. The film has an authentic sound-track and is researched in detail to give an informative commentary. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Jim Clemens Collection Vol.19. Archive film of the railways in South Wales and the Forest of Dean featuring the Vale of Neath line from PONTYPOOL ROAD to NEATH. is a section using a railtour with panniers to BLAENGARW, CAERAU and LLANTRISANT in 1960. The Forest of Dean lines cover LYDNEY, PARKEND, COLEFORD and CINDERFORD with an auto train in 1962 also visiting Sharpness viewing the damaged Severn Bridge. Class 14 diesels work freight to WHITECLIFF QUARRY and Coleford via PARKEND followed by another freight trip from BULLO PILL to CINDERFORD before the line closed in 1967. Complete coverage of the PONTYPOOL ROAD to NEATH line with steam in 1964 before the line lost its passenger service over this spectacular route. Travel via HAFODYRYNYS, CRUMLIN, HENGOED, NELSON, DOWLAIS CAE HARRIS, MOUNTAIN ASH, ABERDARE and RESOLVEN. There are also visits to NCB collieries at Hafodyrynys and Mountain Ash, the latter with an ex-GWR pannier tank. Filmed mainly in colour this production takes a fascinating and nostalgic look back at the steam scene of the 1960's. The film has an authentic sound-track and has been researched in detail to give an informative commentary. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Filmed from 1960 to 1967, we journey from WATERLOO to WEYMOUTH, BASINGSTOKE to SALISBURY, and on to the Somerset and Dorset from TEMPLECOMBE to HIGHBRIDGE and BATH. On the South Western main line we stop off at EASTLEIGH to visit the Works in 1963. There is extensive coverage of the Isle-of-Wight railway system, RYDE to VENTNOR and RYDE to COWES via NEWPORT with passenger and freight. We visit BOURNEMOUTH and WEYMOUTH with its quayside tramway serving the Channel Islands boats in the early 1960's. Quite unique is a railtour to the ISLE of PORTLAND and EASTON. There are numerous classes of motive power to be seen, from small Class 02 tanks on the Isle-of-Wight to the Bulleid pacifics with the occasional King Arthur on the way. There are freight types like Maunsell moguls, S15s, 700 0-6-0s, H16, W tanks and the inevitable Standards; S & D 2-8-0, Ivatt tanks and Western Panniers including GWR Dock tanks. Filmed mainly in colour this video takes a fascinating and nostalgic look back at the steam scene of the 1960s in many locations on the Southern Railway. The film has an authentic sound-track and has been researched in detail to give an informative commentary. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
An interesting record of Dr.Rogers’ search for the more unusual views and of his early passion for the smaller gauges of steam railways, that of narrow gauge and miniature systems, before he recorded the ending of standard gauge railways on the national network. This journey took him as far away as India for their narrow gauge, rack railways and steam up to Broad gauge. He also visited Ireland for the County Donegal and the Tralee and Dingle. From garden railways through to all gauges up to 15" on passenger carrying miniature systems, some of considerable length, others around parks and now lost on the sands of time like Christchurch and Audley End. Narrow gauges in Wales include the Welshpool and Llanfair when it ran through the streets, the beginnings of the Ffestiniog and Talyllyn and the Vale of Rheidol in its early days. There is industrial narrow gauge at Bowaters in Kent. Ireland's Tralee and Dingle, County Donegal and Fintona horse tram, Katwijk in Holland. Tournon in France and India with the Darjeeling and Nilgiri rack railway are among others seen in the sub continent. The film begins and ends with British standard gauge scenes that caught the attraction of Dr. Rogers as it reached its demise in the 1960's. Some fascinating and rare views in this film. Filmed in colour and black and white from 1949 to 1967. A detailed commentary and authentic sound track completes a nostalgic record of steam with something different to offer. The second volume will deal with his coverage of British main line steam. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The story of electric traction in the British Isles
from the Volks Railway to the West Coast Main Line electrification over
nearly 80 years. In the beginning, trams took away trade from the railways
who had to look to electric traction themselves in the towns and cities
to retake that trade. Electric services grew up around places like London,
Manchester, Southport, Glasgow, Morecambe, Tyneside and Altrincham over
the years. Using archive film these systems can be seen, some still
using early rolling stock into the 1960's. Main line electrification
followed with the Woodhead route in the 1950's and then the West Coast
main line in stages with new AL electrics at Crewe. Other systems examined
are the Grimsby and Immingham, Swansea and Mumbles, Isle of Man and
Blackpool. An industrial line in the North East is also featured. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Jim Clemens Collection Vol.18. The railways around
Gloucestershire consisted of main and branch lines and most are covered
in this video film. The main GWR line ran down the Stroud Valley to
CHELTENHAM and via GLOUCESTER to South Wales. The Midland line ran a
line north to south via Cheltenham to BRISTOL. Both saw heavy traffic
in the days of steam, expresses and freight. The branch lines, all long
gone now, were delightful rural byways and the KEMBLE to CIRENCESTER
AND TETBURY, BERKLEY ROAD to SHARPNESS and COALEY to DURSLEY lines are
covered in detail. There are main line auto services to CHALFORD and
the secondary line from KINGHAM to CHELTENHAM is illustrated here. Finally
BRISTOL is reached, which was in Gloucestershire at the time of filming,
all between 1960 and 1967. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Derby to Stockport. Filmed from 1963 to 1968, this video shows steam at its best through the Peak District. Starting at DERBY a northbound journey is taken to STOCKPORT. This includes steam locomotives doing battle with gradients up to the 1000 foot contour in both directions in the Derbyshire hills. The northbound descent to Stockport is through CHAPEL EN LE FRITH, CHINLEY and NEW MILLS. There is also a journey along the Hope Valley to SHEFFIELD. A detailed look at the Cromford and High Peak route with normal service freight and specials, a brief look at the CRICH Tramway in its earlier days and the fascinating engines at WIRKSWORTH QUARRY are also included. To reach STOCKPORT there is detailed coverage of the line through ROMILEY and STRINES with a visit to HAYFIELD. In Stockport visit HEATON MERSEY shed. Motive power includes Jubilees, Scots, Black 5’s, 8F’s, 4F’s, WD’s and B1's. Visiting railtours give further variety. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Jim Clemens Collection Vol.17. This is the second volume in a trilogy of videos on Scottish railways from the JIM CLEMENS archive collection and covers the eastern areas of the railways north of the border. EDINBURGH WAVERLEY using 1930's film with a comparison to the 1960's using a Deltic diesel. Visit ST.MARGARETS and DALRY ROAD sheds in Edinburgh before leaving on a 1963 railtour with North British No.256 and J36 and J37 types to QUEENSFERRY, THORNTON and ALLOA. There is a visit to FIFE for NCB workings at Dysart before leaving the eastern side of Scotland for the infamous Caledonian Railway Single No.123 1963 tour from Glasgow to CRIANLARICH in the snow. The Easter 1962 tours included rare visits to branches along the Strathmore route, LEYSMILL, COUPAR ANGUS and BANKFOOT with Caley motive power. The INVERBERVIE branch from MONTROSE, BRECHIN and the CARMYLLIE branch.The Highlands of Scotland feature with visits to INVERNESS, including it's shed, from where a run with Highland Railway 4-6-0 No.103 travels via ELGIN to INVERURIE. Finally steam at PERTH and STIRLING and a trip on the Thames-Clyde Express out of St ENOCH to Carlisle. Here there is a look at KINGMOOR with Duchess locos. Filmed in colour from 1962 to 1966 but some black and white footage from 1930 and 1959 is included. A detailed commentary and authentic soundtrack completes a nostalgic look at Scottish steam. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Archive film of steam along the East Coast Route
from KINGS CROSS to YORK before it ended south of Peterborough in
1963. There are detailed views of KINGS CROSS terminus, PETERBOROUGH
and DONCASTER with visits to Top Shed and GRANTHAM. Motive power shows
A1, A2, A3 and A4 Pacifics with B1 and V2 classes putting in appearances.
The Eastern suburban services up to 1962 were worked by L1 and N7 classes
and scenes from LIVERPOOL STREET to BETHNAL GREEN, CHINGFORD, HERTFORD
EAST and BISHOPS STORTFORD are seen.The LTS line via DAGENHAM to SHOEBURYNESS
is covered with LMS 2-6-4 tanks. SPALDING is seen as a diversion off
the East Coast line before the North Eastern Region is reached. That
is covered by a journey over the STAINMORE line on its last day of service
in early 1962 and in 1967 with a K1 hauled special to BISHOP AUCKLAND.
Rare footage of the Flying Scotsman train in the 1930's is included
and the GRIMSBY & IMMINGHAM line before it succumbed to closure.
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
A Southern Region film following the route from Waterloo to Southampton. There is a diversion to the GUILDFORD to REDHILL line with scenes mainly in 1963 with S15 and Maunsell moguls prominent. The Southern main line has visits to WIMBLEDON, WOKING, FARNBOROUGH, BASINGSTOKE, MICHELDEVER and WINCHESTER. The Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway is covered in the early 1960’s with T9 and Western motive power. Travelling south-westwards via SHAWFORD and ALLEROOK we reach EASTLEIGH with 9F and Britannia types mixing it with various Southern types including C14 and un-rebuilt Bulleids, even 35028 "Clan Line". 3440 CITY of TRURO puts in an appearance. HAYLING ISLAND branch scenes, LONGMOOR (not on an open day!) and SOUTHAMPTON DOCKS with a T9 and B4 joining the usual USA tanks. The QUEEN MARY was in port. Filmed from 1959 to 1966 this has a fascinating and sometimes rare views of the Southern Region at work with many different classes and some visitors as well. The majority of the film is in colour and an informative commentary added with an authentic soundtrack. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The Jim Clemens Collection. Volume 16. There were four railway routes to the town of BRECON in Mid-Wales until 1967. There was a line over the Brecon Beacons to NEWPORT via TORPANTAU climbing to over 1300 feet. From the west came the 33 mile railway along the VALE OF NEATH. Connecting Brecon into the Midlands there was a line to HEREFORD via HAY-ON-WYE. Then to the north the Mid-Wales Railway followed a scenic route via BUILTH WELLS into the Cambrian mountains to reach LLANIDLOES and MOAT LANE. All these routes are covered in detail from the camera of JIM CLEMENS up to the closure of the lines in 1962. Motive power over the routes was in the hands of GWR 5700 Panniers and LMS Ivatt Class 2 moguls. All filming was done between 1960 and 1962 including the last weeks at Brecon when the 1962/3 winter began with heavy snowfall. There is also coverage of the last steam into Brecon in 1964 from Cardiff with an enthusiasts special.. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
An in depth look at the industrial
railway scene in the North East of England in the 1960’s when
steam predominated at most collieries and other locations. Jon MARSH
visited and filmed in the area at this time with much attention to detail
and excellent cine-photography in all weathers. The area was the birthplace
of industrial railways and much of the infrastructure was still extant
one hundred and forty years later, even one engine was one hundred years
old and still working at Seaham Harbour. Railways to the coast for the
transport of coal will be seen with associated rope-hauled inclines.
The railways originated as privately owned lines linking colliery and
harbour. The Lambton, Hetton & Joicey system around Philadelphia
is well covered especially during the last steam winter of 1969 when
heavy snowfall led to spectacular photography. Other lines visited include
Ashington, Derwentaugh, Amble, Backworth, Morrison Busty, Blacburn Park
Drift, Team Valley and Shotton. Scenes at Doxfords Shipyards and Seaham
Harbour. British Railways steam linked the collieries with views of
J27, Q6 and WD 2-8-0 types.This is a fine record of the days before
coal mines and their associated industries were no more in the North
East of England. Filmed in colour and with an authentic sound track
and informative commentary added this will give enjoyment to all people
interested in the steam railways of the area. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Part 2: Shrewsbury-Ruabon-Barmouth. A second
volume of our land cruise around the Cambrian Mountains. This journey
continues from SHREWSBURY to BARMOUTH via RUABON, LLANGOLLEN and DOLGELLAU.
Extensive coverage of SHREWSBURY is seen in the early 1960’s at
the station and a detailed look at steam locomotives on Coleham sheds.
Here LMS and GWR engines were serviced from Panniers to Black 5s, Manors
and Granges. The station saw Jubilees and through and transfer freights
behind 28xx, Manors, and Halls. Journey north via LEATON BASCHURCH and
GOBOWEN with diversions to WHITCHURCH and OSWESTRY. A visit to IFTON
colliery and CHIRK to RUABON. Sun and snow at LLANGOLLEN LINE JUNCTION.
Continue down the Dee Valley via LLANGOLLEN. Here we see how it used
to be in the 1960’s and comparative views of the preserved line
from LLANGOLLEN to CARROG using 1980’s and 1990’s views of
visiting engines to this railway. Some home based engines as well! On
to BALA and DOLGELLAU in 1964. Finally MORFA MAWDDACH and BARMOUTH,
even track recovery trains on the Dee valley route that closed in 1965. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
Part 1: Barmouth-Talerddig-Shrewsbury.
A nostalgic look at the railway between BARMOUTH and SHREWSBURY via
DOVEY JUNCTION in the 1960’s.Virtually every station and halt along
the route are seen and the scenic grandeur of this route is followed
along the Cambrian Coast with steam trains attacking the climbs of FRIOG
and TALERDDIG. The Talerddig climb is particularly impressive with Manors,
Standards and Ivatt Moguls doing battle with the 1-in-52 gradient in
all conditions of weather from sunshine to snow. A Standard stalls and
gives an impressive display re-starting and damaging the track. The
delightful Severn Valley from MOAT LANE through NEWTOWN and WELSHPOOL
to SHREWSBURY where semaphore signalling abounds. Motive power seen
is Manors, both clean and filthy, Standard tender and tank classes and
Ivatt Class 2 Moguls. Brief visits are made to the FAIRBOURNE, TAL-Y-LLYN
and WELSHPOOL and LLANFAIR RAILWAYS in the 1960’s. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The Jim Clemens Collection. Volume 15. Another
fabulous reminder of times past and for this volume, the accent is on
the CHELTENHAM-HONEYBOURNE-STRATFORD line and some of its connections.
Scenes at the present STRATFORD-ON-AVON in the early 1960’s are
seen, but the old station is but a memory on the Stratford and Midland
Junction Railway. We follow this line to Woodford Halse with line side
views of the last SLS special over the line with a 4F, including earlier
scenes from 1960. The journey over the STRATFORD to CHELTENHAM line
begins with many types of locomotives from Black 5s, Castles and Britannias
working the Saturday West Country holiday expresses. 9Fs are on freights
and a West Country Pacific encounters the local hunt! In 1960, a 94xx
works the local HONEYBOURNE to CHELTENHAM all stations stopping service.
Activity at Honeybourne Jct, trains everywhere here, take us south towards
BROADWAY with WD’s, Halls, and a Manor. TODDINGTON is reached with
archive film on today’s successful Gloucester Warwickshire Railway
through WINCHCOMBE and Greet tunnel. Some 1967 & 1968 views of early
diesels working the route on Summer Saturdays. The last BR diesel hauled
specials at Cheltenham Racecourse station in 1968. Black 5 and Britannia
hauled to CHELTENHAM MALVERN ROAD. There are Prairie hauled trains from
KINGHAM to CHELTENHAM St.JAMES via Notgrove. Finally the 4-track main
line south to CHURCHDOWN with Prairies, Castles, Black 5s and WD 2-8-0s
and a brief look at GLOUCESTER with Jubilee and an LMS Compound among
others. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The various routes and branches that could be used in the 1960’s to reach SHREWSBURY from the south. These are seen on a journey from GLOUCESTER via HEREFORD, NEWPORT to HEREFORD and SWANSEA to SHREWSBURY via CRAVEN ARMS and the Central Wales line. A branch from Hereford to THREE COCKS and BRECON is also included. This all colour compilation uses mainly archive steam film from the early 1960’s and shows main line and branch line working including the Stroud Valley trains to Sapperton, such as the CHALFORD auto workings in depth. Occasional use is made of main line steam workings on the North and West route of the 1970’s and early 1980’s for continuity with engines no longer seen on the main line today. Many ex Great Western and LMS types are seen from a Compound to Castles and numerous Prairies and mixed traffic types. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
The Jim Clemens Collection. Volume 14. Steam on the Southern Railway from 1949 to 1966 with visits to the main lines and branches on the South Coast of England when steam reigned supreme. Rare black and white film of DOVER in 1949 and 1950 when West Country and Battle of Britain locomotives were still being built for the newly formed British Railways. DOVER MARINE was still the gateway to the Continent with the famous Golden Arrow Pullman. Pre-grouping locomotives are seen around the shed with L, O1, C and El classes. King Arthurs and Schools also put in an appearance. There is a visit to BRIGHTON and one to PORTSMOUTH to cross to the ISLE-OF-WIGHT where 02’s worked with ancient stock to NEWPORT, COWES and VENTNOR from RYDE. The branches of HAYLING ISLAND with Terriers, LYMINGTON with M7s and SWANAGE, also with M7s, are covered. The main line through BASINGSTOKE in 1962 and 1965 with Bulleid Pacifics, rebuilt and un-rebuilt, mixing it with Lord Nelsons and Schools. Western motive power is on inter-regional expresses. A footplate ride through the New Forest finally ends this first volume of the Southern Region as seen through the camera of photographer JIM CLEMENS. Filmed in black and white and excellent colour for the later views, an authentic sound track and informative commentary has been added.. |
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
A video film of the lines around North Cheshire and South Lancashire from Crewe to Wigan in the days of steam in the mid 1960’s. Centres visited are Crewe, Northwich, Warrington, Wigan and Widnes. Scenes on the West Coast main line north of Crewe via Acton Grange and Moore. Shed visits to Crewe South, Warrington Dallam and Northwich. Industrial steam at Northwich, Bickershaw and ex-North Staffs tanks at Walkden. Stanier Black 5’s and 8F’s, Standard Classes and WD’s. This film is mainly in colour but there are some black and white views as well. An authentic sound track and informative commentary has been added bringing everything back to life in this last rundown of steam in the North-West. |
||||||
|
|
| ||||||
| A film covering branch and secondary lines between Three Cocks Junction and Bala encompassing scenes at HEREFORD, BRECON, BUILTH, WORCESTER and the Mid-Wales line from MOAT LANE to LLANIDLOES. The Severn Valley line before preservation including IRONBRIDGE, BUILDWAS and MUCH WENLOCK. The Cambrian line from WELSHPOOL, with early 1962 film featuring the delightful narrow gauge line, before going over TALERDDIG to MACHYNLLETH and ABERYSTWYTH. Even a few views south at STRATA FLORIDA. Returning over TALERDDIG to WELSHPOOL again on the old line to OSWESTRY to visit LLANFYLLIN and the rarely filmed LLANRHAEDER line. Finally it is north through GOBOWEN to the LLANGOLLEN line down the Dee Valley to BALA JUNCTION. Much of this video was filmed on colour but early views were on black and white film. All have been mastered professionally on to video format with an authentic soundtrack and informative commentary added. | ||||||
| ||||||
| The Jim Clemens Collection. Volume 13. This volume, in a series from the Jim Clemens collection of archive railway films, covers the western areas of Scotland. The film begins at Euston for a brief look at the famous ROYAL SCOT train in the 1930’s and then a 1960’s train from CREWE to CARLISLE to introduce us to North of the Border. DUMFRIES is then visited and via a railtour with Jones Goods 103, we traverse the line to LOCKERBIE. BEATTOCK bank to CARSTAIRS. The rarely visited branches around LANARK and PONTFEIGH. West to COALBURN and MUIRKIRK. North to EAST KILBRIDE and the Clyde coast to GREENOCK and GOURROCK. GLASGOW to CRIANLARICH and FORT WILLIAM and on to MALLAIG with two J37 Class locos in 1963. Return to Carlisle on the THAMES CLYDE EXPRESS. On this journey, visit loco sheds at HURLFORD, CARSTAIRS, MOTHERWELL and POLMADIE. Locomotives range from 2P to Duchess and all the historic Scottish preserved locos on tours. See early Clyde steamers to DUNOON and FORT WILLIAM. There are trams in Glasgow in 1962.This rare film has an authentic soundtrack and informative commentary to match the film from the 1930’s to the 1960’s. No modern day footage has been used, just the way it was in the days of steam mastered to the best possible standard. | ||||||
| ||||||
| A detailed film of the railway in the Peak District of Derbyshire which closed as a through route in 1968. There is extensive coverage of the CROMFORD & HIGH PEAK RAILWAY which ran over the 1000 ft. contour in windswept conditions. It had the formidable HOPTON incline at 1-in-14 which taxed loco skill to the limit for the J94’s seen here. Then there were the 8F’s from BUXTON shed where a visit is made to see them in the snowy February of 1968. They are seen taking the limestone traffic through PEAK FOREST. There is also a journey along Ashwood Dale. HEATON MERSEY shed is visited including the last day of steam there and some views along the line to MANCHESTER CENTRAL and return to MILLERS DALE. This is a worthy record of those halcyon days of steam, filmed mostly in colour on 16mm format. Accompanying the film is an authentic soundtrack with an informative commentary. | ||||||
| ||||||
| Part 1 - Paddington to Shrewsbury. The CAMBRIAN COAST EXPRESS followed a route from Paddington to Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Talerddig to Aberystwyth and Pwhelli. In this first volume of the series, we trace the route from Paddington to Shrewsbury. Using archive footage, the route is seen with steam haulage over a period from 1960 to the 1970’s with some early diesel film of the Hydraulics and Blue Pullman as well. There is mainly ex-GWR motive power from Kings, Castles. Halls and Praire tanks. See steam powering up Hatton bank in 1962 with Kings and Castles and on through the Birmingham suburbs to Tyseley and into the old Snow Hill Station. We visit both the old and new Snow Hill stations. A diversion to the Old Hill and Dudley branches and then on to Wolverhampton, Wellington and Shrewsbury. | ||||||
| ||||||
| The
Jim Clemens Collection. Volume 12. Three lines in Herefordshire are extensively
covered by archive film from the JIM CLEMENS collection showing the rural atmosphere
of working steam railways from 1959 to 1964. The lines seen are LEOMINSTER to
KINGTON and PRESTEIGNE, the secondary line from HEREFORD to GLOUCESTER via ROSS-ON-WYE,
the last steam freight from ROSS-ON-WYE to LYDBROOK JUNCTION and the LEDBURY to
GLOUCESTER line. Motive power seen comprises Panniers, Prairies, Auto tanks and Collett 0-6-0 types along with a GWR Diesel railcar. These lines are now history and a way of life is gone forever for the rural communities these lines served. Most of this film is in glorious colour and authentically sound-tracked with recordings made at the time. This is complemented by an informative commentary as a fine record of these lost routes. | ||||||
| ||||||
| Part
6 - Manchester to Bury. A film of the steam age in the late 1960’s around
the ex-Lancashire and Yorkshire’s Manchester Victoria station. The climb of Miles
Platting bank at the time when steam worked out of the Bury platforms and where
the trams now reign. There also is coverage of the LNWR’s Exchange station. Shed
visits to Patricroft, and Newton Heath with an extensive footage of locomotives
working there in 1965 such as Britannias, Ivatt 2-6-0's, 2-6-4T’s, and visiting
B1 and A2 amongst the resident Stanier types. The line to Bury is followed including
a railtour which brought a pair of Jinty’s to Bolton Street and a 2-6-4T to Bacup.
Various industrial locations are also visited including Trafford Park, Manchester
Ship Canal Railway at Mode Wheel, Heap Bridge and the ICI Blackley Works. Even
Manchester and Stalybridge trolley buses put in an appearance in this film of
the steam railway scene as it was in the 1960’s. | ||||||
| ||||||
| The
Jim Clemens Collection. Volume 11. This film shows the days of steam on the
line from Hereford to Worcester and through Campden to Moreton-in-the-Marsh. This
was the last Western Region Class "1" service to be worked by steam,
notably by Castles allocated to Worcester shed. There are other Western types
on view such as Halls, Granges, Prairies and Panniers. Some LMS types also pass
through the region and even an LNER A1 came to Worcester. Branch lines are included
such as the Bromyard Branch which was also visited by a Collett 0-6-0 on a driving
special for enthusiasts and also a decorated pair working an excursion to Blackpool
on the last day in 1964! The Shipston branch is also featured with the daily freight.
Filmed in the early 1960’s there is a wealth of memories here through MALVERN,
WORCESTER, PERSHORE, HONEYBOURNE, EVESHAM and climbing CAMPDEN bank. This was
the route of the ‘Cathedrals Express’, all Brunswick Green and sometimes
chocolate and cream stock, all competently filmed by local Worcester enthusiast
JIM CLEMENS. | ||||||
|
Click here for details of more volumes of our ever increasing range of railway videos (part of Wolverton Rail Videos web site) |
| B
& R VIDEO PRODUCTIONS have been successfully marketing an ever increasing
range of quality video films for several years. Progress in technical ability
and equipment has brought tremendous improvements in the quality of our films,
particularly those produced since Volume 11. So much so that we have withdrawn
several of our earlier volumes from general sale. Colour film in the 8mm format generally came on the market in 1957 albeit Kodachrome 1 at 8ASA! With the advent of Kodachrome 25 in the early 1960’s quality improved considerably and this gave amateur cameramen 11 years to cover the end of British Railways steam. With good cameras such as Bolex, Eumig and Bell & Howell a satisfactory result could be obtained of the passing scene and our policy has been to use the best we can find to bring to you the history of the steam railway from those years. We have been able to locate earlier scenes on black & white film and some of our productions have also used 16mm format with an even better quality of re-production. All this said, to-day’s quality of video cameras was not around in the glorious days of the steam railway and the majority of cine film of this subject was taken by enthusiasts who wished to record the passing of the steam scene. Without them, so many long forgotten branches and types of locomotive, unusual workings etc., would have been lost forever in the moving image. Our policy in making a video programme is simple. We must have enough film material for a one hour programme on the subject of the title. Obvious?? Well it is not always as simple as that. The question we ask is, do we have sufficient good or reasonable film for the project, for we will not willingly use dark film as some producers do. Recent critics of some videos, (not ours!), have remarked on this facet of those films. Having selected our film for the programme we master each view individually for colour correction (where film has faded when not Kodak !) even when not quite correctly exposed originally. This allows us to produce a programme without those annoying splices or orange flashes or manufacturers code holes, another point some producers seem not to worry about. Another fact about using archive film is that dust and small scratches can be on the original material. We do clean the film before mastering and scratches on the sides of film are removed in most cases. We have seen videos made with all these above faults included complete with “hairs" sticking in the projector gate. We do try our best to avoid these mistakes. The films in this catalogue are usually one hour long of pure archive material, no padding out with modern day scenes, to give you the scenes of yesteryear. Once transported back in time we leave you there for an hour! The film often includes a few views of the passing scene on the railway, railwaymen at work, station architecture, loco close-ups and servicing to add to your enjoyment and ‘‘feel’’ for that period of time. The sound track is added as authentically as possible, in a lot of cases recorded at the same time as the film was shot, Volume 30 for instance shows how this was done in one view! We endeavour to get details correct, station announcements, cylinder cocks, whistles, safety valves, slipping engines, to name a few of the sounds we include on our sound tracks. Much better than the sound of a cine-projector! Or even original sounds not dubbed anywhere near accurate. The commentaries are, we hope, informative but not intrusive on the main sound track and have been researched in depth for correctness of fact and maybe to also give ‘‘food for thought’’. Our videos of mainly BR steam are a joy to watch and we sincerely hope you enjoy our products and that there is a video of your interests herein. If not, there probably will be later, keep watching the adverts! and the reviews. Click here for details of our ever increasing range of railway videos (part of Wolverton Rail Videos web site) |
| |
|
This site is run by Wolverton
Rail. using the B & R Video Productions name and logo with their
permission. © 1996-2009 B & R Video Productions
and Advance Micro Computers Ltd.
All rights reserved. <info@amicro.co.uk>
E & O E |