**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 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.

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(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 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 7th.November 2022**

ALL NEW FILM!

The first of five volumes of all new, and never previously seen, high quality cine films taken by the late Brian Parnell. Compiled in the running order of the original cine film, it forms the seventh episode to cover Southern steam within our popular “Miscellany” series and includes footage across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset.

We begin at Oxted with the “H” Class push-pull service to Tunbridge Wells West. Other locations along this route include Hever and the junction station at Groombridge. At Upper Waringham we see passenger trains in action plus the local freight service shunting the yard followed by steam activity in and around Norward Junction engine shed. At Three Bridges, Motor Set 618 is coupled to an “H” Class tank ready for the East Grinstead auto train.

Then to the area in and around Brighton during 1962 and 1963 for plenty of steam action with a bonus of seeing the “Lancing Belle” double headed at Hove on two occasions during August 1962.

Redhill became the SR Central Division’s principle steam depot at the end of 1963. It’s allocation of locomotives included 21 Standard Class 4 2-6-4Ts. A number of visits are made to this busy station as well as around Tonbridge, Eastbourne, Polegate, Hailsham and Hellingly stations.

Next we visit the LSWR main line from London with many scenes of Waterloo, Nine Elms Shed, Clapham Junction, Wimbledon, Raynes Par, Surbiton, Woking and Basingstoke. Plus some excellent footage of the “Bournemouth Belle” including some taken from parallel running services.

A route covered in some detail is the picturesque line along the southern scarp of the North Downs from Redhill to Reigate, Betchworth, Gomshall & Shere and Guildford. Here there is a wealth of steam hauled passenger and freight trains and even a BRCW Type 3 (the later Class 33) hauling a cement train. And coverage of the Central Division’s 1964 “Visitor of the Year” surprise at Canklow: ex-LNER B1 No.61313 (allocated to Rotherham) on a passenger service at Reigate! Other locations visited are the Hayling Island branch, Brockenhurst, Bournemouth Central, Bournemouth West and Swanage.

Motive power featured includes (in no particular order) ex-SR Bulleid pacifics from the Merchant Navy, West Country and Battle of Britain classes, Schools 4-4-0s, Maunsell 2-6-0 N U & U1 moguls, USA tanks, Q, Q1, H, S15, M7, A1x “Terrier”, C, K, E4, E6, H16, W classes and even Beattie well tank 0298 along with ex-LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2Ts. Plus BR Standard Classes 4 & 5 4-6-0, Class 4 2-6-0, Class 4 2-6-4T and Class 3 2-6-2T. And, of course, the ex-LNER B1!

This nostalgic look at the last years of Southern steam is mainly filmed between 1962 and 1965. It is entirely in colour and includes an informative commentary and an authentic sound track.

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‘Run by Enthusiasts for Enthusiasts since 1987′.

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**RELEASED 12th. January 2022**

Covering Wales and The Marches area in the days of steam, this volume has been has been mostly compiled from previously unseen footage in the late Ellis James-Robertson’s Collection. Ellis was born in Swansea in 1922 and had moved to near Pwllheli at the age of 11 before taking up residence in Worcester in the mid 1950s.

We start with scenes at Bangor on 7th.April 1961, before moving to South Wales for a visit to the Swansea & Mumbles Railway. This was the first passenger carrying railway in the World and we feature both rare monochrome and colour footage.

We return to North Wales for glimpses of the Snowdon Mountain Railway and Vale of Rheidol Railway before the first of a number of visits to the area around Pwllheli. Ellis travelled on the SLS “farewell to the Cambrian Railways” rail tour that ran on 17th.January 1965 and features such places as Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Ellesmere, Whitchurch, Oswestry, Llanymynech and Llanfyllin.

On Saturday 6th.June 1964, a round trip was made from Hereford which included Pontypool Road, Hafodyrynys, Crumlin Viaduct, Hengoed, Quakers Yard, Aberdare, Neath and Landire to Swansea High Street before continuing along the Central Wales route to Swansea Victoria via Gowerton South, Pontarddulais, LLandovery, Cynghordy Viaduct, Builth Road, Llandrindod Wells, and Craven Arms.

There is excellent coverage, filmed on 7th.April 1964, of the freight only, 14xx worked branch from Leominster to Kington and Presteigne with Ellis travelling on the engine to and from Presteigne. Great Western enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy this 15 minutes and more of branch line delight!

Next we visit the old Carnarvonshire Railway north from Afon Wen with all steam action at Chwilog, LLangbi, Ynys and Brynkir including double-headed summertime specials. Ellis also filmed the last inbound freight train to Lydbrook Junction from Gloucester via Ross-on_wye and Kene Bridge on Friday 29th.October 1965. Other locations include Dolgellau, Porthywaen, Llynclys, the last day of operation in August 1963 over the town section of the Welshpool & Llanfair narrow gauge line.

We conclude with scenes at the NCB collieries of Merdy and Mountain Ash.

The film covers the period from 1960 to 1966. Motive power includes ex-GWR 14xx, 2251, 28xx, Hall 4-6-0s and pannier 57xx, 78xx, 94xx classes, an ex-MR Dock Tank, ex-LMS Fairburn 2-6-4Ts, Black 5s, Scots, 8Fs, Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2Ts & 2-6-0s, BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 73000s, Class 4 4-6-0 75000s, Class 4 2-6-4T 80000s, Class 3 2-6-2T 82000s & Class 2 2-6-0s 78000s. Plus NCB industrials.

Filmed almost all in colour, an authentic sound track has been added along with an informative commentary to complement this nostalgic look at the last years of steam across Wales and The Marches.

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