**RELEASED October 2024**

This, the 12th episode of our popular series of LONDON MIDLAND STEAM MISCELLANIES, is a feast of steam traction filmed mostly in the North-West and Midlands. And once again we are using a considerable amount of previously unseen cine-film from our extensive archives*!

Our journey starts with a visit to the major rail interchange of Carlisle. Here we see steam action in the area before all the line closures and major rationalisation of tracks of later years. One of the major homes of steam was the Kingmoor Shed and we see it and it’s approaches in all their glory. Wonderful! Then to the hive of activity of Citadel station for scenes including Stanier “Princess Coronation’ Pacifics.

Now a real treat for enthusiasts – The Langholm branch freight with (now-preserved) Ivatt 4MT No.43106 in charge; it is seen paralleling the A7 road and also at Canonbie. Further north we have film at Stirling (including a ‘Clan’ Pacific) and Glasgow.

Another area seen in detail is the climb to Shap summit. Most was filmed around the Tebay and Scout Green areas although the climb from the north is not forgotten. All manner of traction combinations are seen – single-handedly, with bankers, and even one with a pilot on the front. Diesels also make occasional appearances with English Electric Type 4s and Brush Type 4s, one of the latter in charge of the down ‘Mid-Day Scot’.

On the Settle & Carlisle line we see locations such as Horton-in­Ribblesdale, the famous Ribblehead viaduct, and Kirkby Stephen West. Visits are also made to Windermere, Oxenholme, Carnforth, Carnforth Shed, Hest Bank (including action on the water troughs), Lancaster, Warrington, and the approach to Standedge tunnel. .

Other places seen in the north of England are Ditton Junction, Mouldsworth, Preston, Lostock Hall Shed, Newton Heath Shed, Sheffield, and Leeds.

We also visit North Wales and the Borders. Places as Chester, Shrewsbury, Abergele and Pensarn. A particular delight is coverage around Denbigh, Llanrhaiadr, and Rhydymwyn.

London Midland power is also not forgotten towards the south of England, such as at Spetchley (site of Worcester’s first station), Norton Junction, and even Didcot in the heart of GWR territory.

We cover the last days of steam throughout the 1960s to the end in 1968. Classes seen include (in no particular order): ex-LMS 2-6-4Ts, Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0s, 4Fs, Black 5s, Jubilees, 8Fs, Jinty 0-6-0Ts, 47000 Dock Tanks, Patriot and Royal Scot 4-6-0s, Princess Coronation (Duchess) Pacifics, Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0s and BR Standard Britannia & Clan Pacifics, Class 4 & 5 4-6-0s, 2-6-4Ts, 9F 2-10-0s (including ex-Crosti boilered) and WD 2-8-0s. The new order also creeps in from time to time such as English Electric ‘Type 4′ and Brush ‘Type 4 ‘; even the early AC Electric “AL” series locomotives!

Our nostalgic look at the last years of London Midland steam has been assembled in the order the film runs off the original cine reels. It is mostly in colour with a soundtrack and a commentary.

*A Footnote for the Miscellany Series. Over the years, we have amassed a vast collection of archive cine-film from a variety of owners. When we produced our much earlier volumes, they were based on telling a “story” or following a “journey”. As a result only relevant short clips from various the original archive cine-films were used along with specific soundtracks and commentaries. When more recently reviewing our extensive archives, we realised that much of the original cine films had never been used for one reason or another such as it didn’t fit the story or we didn’t know the location. In some cases there were reels of previously unused and unseen cine-film. And this historic footage would never be seen and lost forever unless we did something about it. Hence the Miscellany series where this time the footage has been assembled in the order it runs off  the actual cine-films along with completely new sound tracking and a new commentary for each volume.  In some cases all of the footage is completely new. There are some real gems in this series!!

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**RELEASED AUGUST 2023**

ALL NEW FILM!

The fourth and penultimate installment in our series of all new, and never previously seen, high quality cine films taken by the late Brian Parnell. This time it mostly features the area covered by the former London Midland Region but also footage from Scotland, Wales and Southern England including some rare snippets of the famous Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway.

We begin at Morecambe on the Lancashire coast in the summer of 1965, before travelling up the West Coast Main Line (WCML) via Shap Summit and Tebay to arrive at Carlisle. Amongst the locomotives seen In and around the Kingmoor shed area are the unique (and now preserved) Stephenson Link ‘Black 5′, 44767 plus Jubilee 45660 “Rooke” which achieved fame during the 1937 load tests developing 1250hp climbing to Ais Gill summit on the Settle and Carlisle line.
Back down the WCML, we visit Oxenholme to see the “Lakes Express”. Then to Lancaster and Hest Bank where we see locomotives picking up water at speed from the water troughs there.

One of the earliest public railways was the Leicester West Bridge branch and Brian visited during May 1963. Here the motive power was the Johnson 2Fs 0-6-0s and the last use in the country of these Victorian era locomotives. He also visited the Leighton Buzzard to Dunstable line in the summer of 1962 where we spot an ex-LNWR ‘Super D’ 0-8-0 pottering about.

Leaving the LMR area, we visit Gloucester (to see ex-GWR Manor 4-6-0s), Cheltenham, Oxford, Southall, and the Southern at Swanage.
Brian also visited the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway where he took a significant amount of footage including at Branksorne, Templecornbe, Cole, Wincanton, Glastonbury &

Scottish locations are not forgotten with scenes at Glasgow Central, Edinburgh Princes Street, Stirling, and Perth. And Wales as well with scenes at Barmouth and Llandudno Junction.

Naturally the dying days of steam in North-West of England are well covered with visits to Carnforth (and its shed), Preston, Rose Grove (and its shed), Chester, Warrington Bank Quay (High Level & Low Level), Buxton, Bolton, and Blackburn!

Most of the film was taken between 1962 and 1968. Motive power includes ex-LMS Black 5s (including experimental versions), Jubilees, Class 4 2-6-4Ts, Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 “Flying Pigs”, Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0s & 2-6-2Ts, 8Fs, Fowler 4Fs, ex-LNWR Super D 0-8-0, Johnson 2F 0-6-0s, S&D 2-8-0s, and BR Standard Class Britannia Pacifics, Class 5 4-6-0s, Class 4 4-6-0s & 9F 2-10-0s.

This nostalgic look at the last years of London Midland steam is entirely in colour and as usual includes a informative commentary and an authentic sound track.

Click here to order this volume and other videos online

(By clicking here you are entering Wolverton Rail Videos web site with over 4000 transport videos & DVDs available

‘Run by Enthusiasts for Enthusiasts since 1987′.

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**RELEASED LATE APRIL 2023**

ALL NEW FILM!

The third instalment of all new, and never previously seen, high quality cine films taken by the late Brian Parnell. In this volume we feature the ex-Great Western system and beyond. Once again it is complied in the running order of the original cine film.

We begin with scenes at Oxford in the summer of 1963 and the footage includes through trains from the south coast to Birmingham, the still steam-hauled Worcester to Paddington service, plus the longest-lived 9F of all, 92004 (built 1954, withdrawn March 1968).

We then visit the Gloucestershire area for such locations as Lansdown Junction, Cheltenham Spa, Tramway Junction, Gloucester itself plus the Golden Valley push-pull from Gloucester to Stroud, Brimscornbe, and Chalford. A highlight is at Brimscornbe where the last steam engine built by British Railways, No.92220 “Evening Star” starts a heavy freight up the punishing grade to Sapperton tunnel, complete with rear end assistance.

GWR motive power is seen along the North Downs line and includes Redhill shed, a departure from Redhill station, then along the 3rd rail section to Reigate, Betchworth, and Guildford.

The summer of 1963 found Brian in Devon with film at Exeter St Davids, Tiverton Junction, plus excellent coverage along the Culm Valley branch via Coldharbour Halt and Uffculme to Hemyock and its dairy; a 14xx enthusiast’s delight.

During August 1964 the Cambrian system was visited: Welshpool, Dovey Junction, Aberystwyth, the Vale of Rheidol line, Abertafol Halt, Morfa Mawddach, Barmouth Viaduct, Barrnouth, and Portmadoc.

There is also film at Southall (three visits in 1964), Birmingham Snow Hill, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester shed, Swindon, Trowbridge, Westbury, Frome, Templecombe, Wadebridge, Boscarne Junction, Hatton, and Hatton Bank.

Although Brian had put his camera away by 1965, he did film the GW 150 celebrations some twenty years later in Devon and Cornwall and a few minutes has been included to bring our miscellany of Great Western steam to a close.

Motive power featured includes (in no particular order) classes ex-GWR County, Castle, Hall, Grange, Manor, 43xx, 2251, 72xx, 45xx, 41xx, 56xx, 64xx, 57xx, 94xx, ex-LSWR T9, ex-Southern West Country Pacifics, ex-LMS Stanier Black 5s, Jubilees, 8Fs and Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0s. Also BR Standard Class Britannia Pacifics, Class 4 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-4Ts, Class 3 2-6-2T, and 9F 2-10-0s (including 92220 “Evening Star” on two occasions).

This nostalgic look at the last years of steam in these areas was mainly filmed between 1963 and 1966. It is entirely in colour and includes an informative commentary and an authentic sound track.

Click here to order this volume and other videos online

(By clicking here you are entering Wolverton Rail Videos web site with over 4000 transport videos & DVDs available

‘Run by Enthusiasts for Enthusiasts since 1987′.

Please note you will be buying from Wolverton Rail and not B & R Video Productions)… Read More

**RELEASED 17th.January 2023**

ALL NEW FILM!

The second instalment of all new, and never previously seen, high quality cine films largely taken by the late Brian Parnell. In this volume we mostly feature the North-East of England and Scotland. Once again it is complied in the running order of the original cine film.

We begin in the North-East at Tyne Dock, a location where it was possible to see the vivid contrast between 1950s built 9F 2-10-0s and pre-grouping designed classes of locomotives. At Newcastle Central we see the classic panorama of what once was said to be the largest railway crossing in the entire world even including some 3rd rail electric action.

Further to the north time is spent at Blyth, then the largest coal exporting port in the whole of Europe, before visiting South Blyth shed, Bedlington, Bedlington’ A’ colliery, and Manors.

South of the Tyne, we visit Pelaw, Horden, Crimdon Dene Viaduct, Hart, and West Hartlepool (with footage of an English Electric ‘Type 3′ with a brake tender) before moving further south to Darlington.

Travelling back north again and into Scotland, we visit Carstairs, Dunfermline shed, Dunfermline Lower, Edinburgh Waverley, Edinburgh Princes Street, Dairy Road Shed and Cowdenbeath. Then off to Glasgow for ‘Blue Train’ EMUs and steam action in and around Glasgow Central.

Next, a few minutes are spent at Stirling, including the bridge over the Forth, along with a glimpse of one of the experimental ‘Black 5s’. Then there is the picturesque coverage of crossing the Allan Water at Dunblane with the Cathedral in the background. Perth is well covered and includes the West Coast Postal in the hands of an A4 and numerous steam-hauled freight and passenger services.

A number of the ‘Scottish Rambler’ rail tours were filmed by Brian such as a ‘Crab’-hauled trip around collieries in Ayrshire, A DMU journey is made between Ladybank and Dundee with good coverage of the Tay Bridge and a visit to Dundee Tay Bridge depot with film of the terminus at Dundee West just before closure. Further north we see Montrose, Kinnaber Junction, and Bridge of Dun, even joining an A4-hauled express to take us back to Perth via Forfar.

Other locations Brian visited include footage of LNER locomotives at Nine Elms, Reigate, Coulsdon North, Banbury, Lutterworth, Rugby Central, Nottingham Victoria, and Chesterfield Central.

Motive power featured includes (in no particular order) ex-LNER AI, A2, A3, A4 Pacifics, V2, B1, Q6, J27, J26, J37, J39, L1 classes, ex-LMS Crabs, Fairburn 2-6-4Ts, Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0s and Stanier Black 5s. Also BR Standard Class Britannia Pacifics, Class 5 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-4Ts, Class 2 2-6-0 78000s, WD 2-8-0s and 9F 2-10-0s. Plus the odd ‘Deltic, Clayton Type 1, EE Type 3 and BRCW Type 2 diesels. Even Glasgow ‘Blue Train’ electrics and a Tyne 3rd rail EMU put in an appearance!

This nostalgic look at the last years of steam in these areas was mainly filmed between 1963 and 1966. It is entirely in colour and includes an informative commentary and an authentic sound track.

Click here to order this volume and other videos online

(By clicking here you are entering Wolverton Rail Videos web site with over 4000 transport videos & DVDs available

‘Run by Enthusiasts for Enthusiasts since 1987′.

Please note you will be buying from Wolverton Rail and not B & R Video Productions)… Read More

**RELEASED 1at.September 2022**

Our tenth episode covering London Midland steam within our popular “Miscellany” series which mostly features previously unseen and unused cine film from our archives. Once again, it has been compiled in the running order of the original cine film..

We start at Carlisle Citadel station: this is very well covered with material from 1963 until 1967. Also visited are Carnforth, Hest Bank, Appleby West, Tebay, Dillicar water troughs, plus the climb to Shap summit. Then Crewe, extensive coverage in the Warrington area, Wigan North Western, Blackburn, Hellifield, Preston, Farrington Junction, the East Lancashire line, and the Copy Pit line. The famous Sankey viaduct is seen and then we continue on via Gathurst, Croston, Borwick, Liverpool Lime Street, Fazakerley South Junction, Manchester, Clifton Junction, and Entwistle.

The south of England is not forgotten with visits to Worcester, Spetchley, Norton Junction, Didcot, Oxford, and Evesham, before the most southerly location of all at Barnstaple Junction. East of the Pennines we see LM locomotives at York with the RCTS ‘Jubilee Commemorative Rail Tour’, then Farnley Junction, Sheffield, and Normanton.

Scotland is not left out with film at Stirling, Glasgow, and Carstairs. Returning south, Nuneaton and Beeston are seen next with the “Midlands Locomotive Requiem Rail Tour” and then it’s Northampton and Bedford.

The final locations in this video are near to and at London Marylebone, Bromford Bridge, Garstang & Catterall, plus Chester.

Numerous shed visits are made including: Carlisle Kingmoor, Carnforth, Preston, Lostock Hall, Rose Grove, Bolton, Patricroft, Newton Heath, Stockport Edgeley, Stoke, and Birkenhead. Plus also Buttigiegs scrap yard in South Wales.

From the 1960s up to 1968, motive power includes (in no particular order): ex-LMS 2-6-4Ts, Crabs, Super Ds, Ivatt Class 4 & 2 2-6-0s and 2-6-2Ts, 4Fs, Black 5s, 8Fs, Jinties, Patriots (rebuilt and unrebuilt, Royal Scots, Princesses, Coronations, BR Standard Britannias, Clans, Class 5 & 4 4-6-0s, Class 2 2-6-2T and 2-6-0s, WDs and 9F 2-10-0s (including ex-Crosti). The new order also creeps in from time to time and diesel enthusiasts will particularly enjoy a D400-hauled Freightliner service passing Patricroft shed.

This nostalgic look at the last years of London Midland steam is mostly in colour and includes a informative commentary and an authentic sound track.

Click here to order this volume and other videos online

(By clicking here you are entering Wolverton Rail Videos web site with over 4000 transport videos & DVDs available

‘Run by Enthusiasts for Enthusiasts since 1987′.

Please note you will be buying from Wolverton Rail and not B & R Video Productions)… Read More