Tag Archives: Hafodyrynys

Volume 239

Wales & The Marches (A Steam Miscellany) (82-mins) Price £19.75

**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.

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Released in Miscellany Series (post Vol.190), Steam in Wales & The Borders, Volumes 239 and above | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 222

Steam Still at Work after August 1968 – Part 5 (60-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED February 2019**

The fifth part in our “Steam Still at Work” series of films which mostly features the steam scene both at home and overseas after the end of main line steam on British Railways in 1968. The series continues until the “Return to Steam” tours on BR in October 1971.

We begin in Kent during 1969 where Mogul U-class 2-6-0 No.31618 (the 2nd locomotive rescued from Barry scrapyard) is seen near Maidstone, followed by the first of two journeys to the Ashford Steam Centre where there is a strong South Eastern & Chatham representation. We next visit Bridgnorth during 1965 at the very beginning of the Severn Valley Railway followed by scenes of the early days of workings to Hampton Loade featuring Nos.46443, 3205, 8233, 43106, and GWR railcar 22.

Many ex-GWR pannier tanks found a new commercial working life after BR and visits are made to see them on London Transport (No.L92) and on the NCB at Coventry (No.1502), Merthyr Vale (No.9600), and Mountain Ash (No.7754) collieries. In South Wales further NCB sites seen are Hafodyrynys, Celynen South, Brynlliw, and Maesteg.

Although not steam, another system of interest to enthusiasts visited at the end of 1969 was the “Woodhead” electrified system from Manchester to Sheffield Victoria.

Next we visit the Dart Valley Railway in May 1970 with its first ever through trains from the BR network – one by the LCGB with Praire No.4555 & Pannier No.1638 and the other one by Ian Allan with 0-4-2T No.1420 & again No.1638.

Further locations include Quainton Road, Bulmer’s at Hereford, Carnforth, Tyseley, and the Bluebell Railway on the occasion of their tenth anniversary. In North Wales visits are also made to the Welshpool & Llanfair (including the Legendary “Monarch” 0-4-4-0), Talyllyn and Vale of Rheidol railways.
Steam could also still be found across the Channel. We visit the last entirely steam-worked terminus in Paris at Gare-de-la-Bastille using 2-8-2 tanks during December 1969 plus also near Boissy and Vincennes. A trip was also organised to North Germany by the LCGB in April 1970 and includes Lingen (with a visit to the locomotive works) and Emden. Motive power features double-headed 011 Pacifics, Nos. 012, 023, and even an 082 0-10-0 tank.

The archive film is entirely in colour. An authentic sound track has been added along with a commentary to complement our nostalgic look at this period from 1969 to 1970.

Cover photo:- Colin White, Andrew-Barclay 0-4-0ST No.8 at Celynen Colliery, June 1970.

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Released in The Wilderness Years - Steam Still At Work after August 1968, Volumes 222 to 229 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 171

Along GWR Lines Part 4 – South Wales (60-mins) Price £19.75

**NOW IN STOCK SEPTEMBER 2012**

In this fourth part of our series, we mainly cover the railways in South Wales and mostly in the days of steam between 1960 and 1965. We feature many of the 0-6-2T and 8-coupled types famous for their use in this part of Wales.

After a few brief scenes in 1960 at Towyn on the Cambrian, we visit the South Wales main line at Pilning for views of double-headed coal trains. Then to Cardiff for 0-6-2Ts, 2-8-0s, Prairies & Pannier tanks and even an 8F interloper from Toton! There is extensive footage of a 1964 SLS “Farewell to Brecon” tour, first with 0-6-2T 6606 via Abercynon and Quakers Yard to Merthyr, then onwards to Pontsticill and Brecon with pannier 3690 plus newly preserved     2-6-2T 4555. We return via Dowlais.

A brief fast-forward to 1977 and the last Western diesel hydraulics on railtours to Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr & Pontypridd.

Back in the 1960s, we visit the NCB collieries at Maerdy, Merthyr Vale and Mountain Ash to see ex-GWR pannier tanks including now preserved 9600 and 7754. But at Cashmores, the scrapman is busy…

We return to Cardiff for more 2-8-0Ts, Castles and 9Fs before travelling along the South Wales main line to Ebbw Jct. There are busy scenes at Newport and on the main line before reaching Severn Tunnel Junction. Further along we pass the Severn Road Bridge under construction and arrive at Gloucester, for scenes there in 1962 & 1964.

The Vale of Neath line ran from Pontypool Road. We see a lot of activity around Pontypool and visit Hafodyrynys mine for its Hunslet 0-6-0STs. Crossing the 200ft high Crumlin Viaduct, there are spectacular views of the valley below. The demolition of the viaduct is witnessed in 1967. Then to Hengoed, Treharris, Quaker’s Yard and Mountain Ash Colliery (for its saddle tanks), before arriving at Neath.

We visit Duffryn Yard depot on our way to Swansea, where in 1965 we join the last steam hauled special to Fishguard and Milford Haven with 6859  “Yiewsley Grange”. Plus some footage of the Tenby branch in 1960 with Prairies and Panniers. We conclude Part 4 with B&W and colour scenes at Cardiff Canton shed just before closure.

All the archive film used is mainly in colour and an extensively researched commentary along with an authentic soundtrack has been added.

Click Here for Vol.70 – Along GWR Lines Part 1 – Paddington to Oxford
Click Here for Vol.78 – Along GWR Lines Part 2 – Oxford to Cardiff
Click Here for Vol.89 – Along GWR Lines Part 3 – Cardiff to Penzance

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Released in Along GWR Lines, Volumes 167-173 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 147

Steam in the Valleys Part 2 (60-mins) Price £19.75

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.
Here in our second volume featuring these collieries, we portray steam at MAERDY, MERTHYR VALE, ELLIOT, TY MAWR, CYM, MARINE, BENYON BLAINA, CELYNON NORTH, CELYNON SOUTH, HAFODYRYNYS, TAL Y WAIN, BLAENAVON and TREDEGAR.

We see examples of industrial locomotives from five different builders as well as ex-GWR tanks, 9600, 9792 and 7754, in all weather conditions from sun to winter snow.

Horse worked mines are also visited. These used narrow gauge track and at DARRAN open cast site we see horse traction being used before the arrival of steam.

Both steam and diesel BR motive power served the valleys and we record the various comings and goings of coal trains.

All filmed in colour by enthusiasts who found these industrial locations both fascinating and friendly after the demise of BR steam in the valleys of Wales.

Cover Photo:- Colin White, “Tudor” at Beynon Colliery, 4/6/70.

Click Here for Vol.135 – Steam in The Valleys Part 1

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Released in Industrial Railways, Volumes 142-149 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 120

South Wales Archive (60-mins) Price £19.75

Jim Clemens Collection No.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.

There 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.

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Released in The Jim Clemens Collection, Volumes 117-126 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment