Tag Archives: LCGB

Volume 240

Vol.240: Steam Still at Work after August 1968 Part 6 – 1970-1971 (80-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED 21st.March 2022**

The sixth and final part in our “Steam Still at Work” series of films mostly featuring the steam scene, both at home and overseas, after the end of main line steam on British Railways in 1968. In this volume we also include a few historical sequences from earlier years.

The Severn Valley Railway was a favourite location for enthusiasts and is visited a number of times. Trips are also made-to other early preserved lines such as the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Ex-GWR King class 4-6-0 No.6000 “King George V” is seen with the famous ‘Return to Steam’ special in 1971.

The last main line steam locomotives working anywhere in the British Isles were in Northern Ireland. Here we spend time in 1970 watching the ex-NCC class ‘WT’ 2-6-4Ts top and tailing quarry spoil trains running alongside Belfast Lough. The wagons were specially built by Cravens of Sheffield and made up into three trains of twenty hoppers each with a “WT” engine at each end. They were used to transport fill for motorway construction. Also in Ireland the RPSI 1971 tour is seen behind Class J15 0-6-0 No.186, the most numerous class of locomotive to ever run in the Emerald Isle.

Other heritage locations seen include the Dart Valley Railway, Quainton Road, Bluebell Railway, Whipsnade and Umfolozi Railway, Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, Tyseley, Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway, Didcot, Dinting, Longmoor Military Railway, and the Llanberis Lake Railway.

The industrial steam scene is also well covered with crane tanks at Doxford’s Shipyard Sunderland, the last exclusively steam-worked ironstone line at Nassington, Northamptonshire, at London Transport with ex-GWR Pannier power, and the oldest steam locomotive working commercially anywhere in the country at Wirksworth Quarries, Derbyshire.

We then travel across to mainland Europe where steam was considerably still in daily use. Here, amongst others, we feature 141Rs at Boulogne, push-pull 141TCs at Paris, the LCGB tour of West Germany in May 1971 (including 012 4-6-2, Prussian G8.1 0-8-0, and Class 50 2-10-0), the Rio Tinto Railway in Southern Spain, Northern Portugal (Iberian gauge plus narrow gauge) and the Erzberg iron ore rack railway in ice and snow.

Filmed entirely in colour, mainly between 1970 and 1971, a commentary plus sound track complement this nostalgic look at the steam scene largely after August 1968. Although this is the concluding volume of this series we will still be creating many more volumes covering other topics from the days of steam.

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Released in The Wilderness Years - Steam Still At Work after August 1968, 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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Volume 217

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

**RELEASED June 2018**

The fourth part of in our “Steam Still at Work” series of films which feature 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 by visiting Woodham’s vast scrap yard of over 200 locomotives at Barry Docks in South Wales, followed by lineside at Blea Moor on 11th.August 1968 to witness the passing of the last BR steam train, “The Fifteen Guinea Special”. Then to the solemn lines of dead and withdrawn locomotives at the former BR steam depot at Carnforth. All was not lost here as a lease had been obtained lighting a preservation era spark which would transform the site into “Steamtown Carnforth” in subsequent years.

Next we visit the Keighley & Worth Valley and the Severn Valley lines in their very early preservation days. Quite a contrast to today!

Pockets of industrial steam still existed and we find “The Lady Armaghdale” and “Isabel” working for ICI near Manchester before preservation. The NCB was the largest user of steam locomotives nationally after 1968 and we travel to Widdrington Colliery where the one-time ‘J94′ No. 68078 is seen at work.

Flying Scotsman” made a final trip along the East Coast Main Line, complete with its two tenders, in August 1969 before heading to Liverpool for shipping to the USA. BR’s only remaining steam, the narrow gauge “Vale of Rheidol” line is visited followed by a trip around the Manchester Ship Canal system in September 1969. Steam was still active in Northern Ireland and operations are seen in 1969 including the famous spoil trains from Magheramore quarry to Belfast Lough.

We cross the Channel to France to enjoy the ruggedly handsome North American-built 141Rs at Boulogne. Plenty of steam could also be found in West Germany with the 012 4-6-2s on express passenger services (including a footplate run), heavy freight work with the class 044 2-10-0s and classes 023, 038, 050, 064, 065, and 078 on a variety of workings. A cornucopia of steam! Portugal was another favoured haunt, even including narrow-gauge 2-4-4-0 compound mallets.

Back to Blighty for a visit to Tyseley’s open day in September 1969, the LCGB ‘takeover’ of Bowaters paper mill system in October 1969, the Bluebell Railway, and finally to Didcot and the GWS, where ex-Wantage Tramway “Shannon” is seen in steam for the first time since 1942.A vast area of the country is covered from HSTs and Class 50s in the West Country, to the Midlands at Wichnor sidings, Bescot and then across to Norwich, with numerous other locations in between including Cosford and the Madeley route.

Filmed entirely in colour, a commentary plus sound track complement this nostalgic look at working steam after August 1968

Cover Photo:- Keith Pirt/Courtesy Book Law Publications, Vale of Rheidol 2-6-2T No.7 “Owain Glyndwr” at Aberystwyth, 1969.

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Released in The Wilderness Years - Steam Still At Work after August 1968, Volumes 214 to 221 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 188

Along Southern Lines Part 8 – South West to Exeter & Beyond (65-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED 9th October 2014**

Most of the Southern’s train journeys to the West commenced at Waterloo where we see a Merchant Navy pacific backing on to its train before departing. Double headed MNs depart from Weymouth followed by a Standard Class 5 at Wareham. There is Bulleid action at Seaton Jct and Barnstaple plus an N Class 2-6-0 at Okehampton.

At Bournemouth Central we see S&DJR 2-8-0s, Bulleid pacifics, Standard Class 5s and Ivatt class 2 tanks. Adding to this variety blue A4 “Sir Nigel Gresley” is on a rail tour racing through the New Forest. Scenes at Brockenhurst feature both Standard tender and tank engines. A Channel Island Bulleid hauled boat train hurries through Beaulieu Road. More Bulleid Pacifics are seen at Southampton Central and Eastleigh with one rushing through Shawford in wintery conditions. Some excellent shots of Bulleids and Standard class 4 4-6-0s at Battledown Flyover are followed by footage at Basingstoke with Bulleids roaring through and departing.

Along the Salisbury line we stop at Andover for some nice Bulleid action, as well as an S15 and a Standard class 5 plus a GWR Manor, Hall and an S&D 2-8-0 on enthusiasts specials. At Salisbury we are just in time to see the crack Atlantic Coast Express arrive. More Bulleid pacifics along with an N Class mogul. A USA tank has the melancholy task of shunting lines of withdrawn engines. Passing Salisbury shed, and Templecombe we reach Yeovil Junction to see a Maunsell King Arthur, an M7 on a push-pull and a Merchant Navy.

Next a trip to Yeovil Town on a Western auto train before returning to the Junction for more Bulleid action. After passing through Crewkerne and Chard, where a pair of S15s are seen, we arrive at Axminster. We travel the Lyme Regis branch, first behind the legendary 0415 tanks and then by two Ivatt class 2 tanks on the LCGB East Devon Railtour. Next to Seaton Junction for a trip to Seaton behind an M7 tank before returning to the Junction to see S15′s, Pacifics and a 64XX pannier . Onwards to Sidmouth for M7, Standard Class 3 and an Ivatt class 2 plus Pannier hauled special train to Exmouth. We travel past Exmouth Junction Shed where an A4 is being serviced and arrive at Exeter Central for the ACE. A W tank is seen amongst the usual motive power.

Finally we traverse the steep gradient down towards Exeter St Davids to see two West Countries departing, then to Cowley Bridge for the Southern’s Withered Arm with some nice shots of N class 2-6-0s at Eggesford, Halwill Jct. and Braunton plus an Ivatt tank at Instow.

All the archive film is in colour apart from a few sequences in black & white.. An authentic soundtrack has been added along with a researched commentary.

Cover Photo:- Keith Pirt/Courtesy Book Law Publications, 34078 “22 Squadron” enters Exeter Central. 1963.

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Volume 181

Along Southern Lines Part 6 (72-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED OCTOBER 2013**

This volume features steam traction in the Somerset and Dorset areas of the West Country and in particular the famous Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway from Bath to Bournemouth with both normal service and special trains.

We start with a glimpse of the ex-SR West of England main line before witnessing Bulleid Pacifics and BR Standards at Bournemouth Central and Weymouth. This is followed by a trip along the line visiting locations such as Radipole Halt, Upwey Wishing Well Halt, Bincombe Tunnel and Dorchester South. Spot the ex-LMS Black 5 interloper!

Next, we visit the ex-GWR Bridport branch from Maiden Newton with a number of specials along the branch featuring Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks using both black & white and colour footage. By contrast, there is a DMU trip along the line shortly before it closed in 1975.

In earlier times, we visit the Somerset & Dorset line with black & white scenes of Bath Green Park shed including ex-SD&JR 2-8-0 7Fs. Back to colour and footage of Bath Green Park station and views inside its famous train shed. We now travel along the line through Devonshire and Combe Down tunnels, Midford, Wellow and Radstock to see coal trains hauled by 7F 2-8-0s. On past Chilcompton, we climb to Masbury Summit, Shepton Mallet and Evercreech Junction. There are scenes of the line to Glastonbury, at Burnham-on-Sea, and Highbridge and Bridgwater.

Travelling south from Evercreech, we pass through Wincanton and arrive at Templecombe for the junction with the ex-SR main line. A busy scene here, with a variety of trains and engines in and around the station, shed and junction. Even 92220 “Evening Star” is on a normal service train! We continue south to Stalbridge, Sturminster, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum and Bailey Gate joining the main line at Broadstone Jct. before continuing to Poole and arriving at Bournemouth West.

Finally, there are views of the LCGB S & D farewell special with two unrebuilt Bulleids, some final scenes from the S&DJR line and we close with a classic S&DJR 7F under the train shed at Bath Green Park station.

Steam traction featured includes many Standards, Bulleid Pacifics, 4Fs, 7Fs, Black 5s, 9Fs, and Panniers plus Collett 0-6-0s on the Glastonbury line including the now preserved 3205.

All the archive film used is mainly in colour but some black & white footage is used. An authentic soundtrack has been added along with an extensively researched commentary.

Cover Photo:- Jim Clemens. 80138 at Evercreech Junction, March 1966.

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Volume 66

Southern Steam Finale Part 6 (60-mins) Price £19.75

The continuing story of the last eighteen months of Southern Steam. This volume covers the period January to March 1967. As in all volumes in this definitive series, the general Southern scene is portrayed between Waterloo and Weymouth. Although steam was in decline from the January timetable, we search it out throughout the region portraying any unusual events and give the reasons why. There were railtours over normally non-steam lines, the LCGB ran its 100th railtour during this period, much more successful than its 99th, seen in Part 5. The tour visited Chessington, Shepperton, Windsor and Reading Central Goods. The Surrey Downsman went to Oxted, Redhill and Kensington Olympia; it ended at a steamless London Bridge. We look at and examine Ron Cover’s attempts to dignify the steam engine with fabricated but brilliant numberplates. 3442 “The Great Marquess” visited the region and we follow its run from Victoria to Brighton, Chichester and Southampton. The first electric trains ran on the Isle of Wight as the last O2′s were cut up at Newport. Another tour took a Bulleid pacific to Eastbourne. The story is told in the usual informative manner of this series after much research and knowledge from people who witnessed these events.

Click Here for the “Southern Steam Finale” DVD Series

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Volume 17

Archive Newsreel 3 (60-mins) Price £15

With full electrification on the Southern main line to Weymouth now operating we return to Dorchester to witness the operation of steam trains reversing up workings at the ex-LSWR terminus. Southampton and Eastleigh in 1967 and steam’s last fling in the London suburbs on the LCGB 100th. railtour to Windsor and Reading using 77xxx, 76xxx, 80xxx and West Country complete this section.

Tribute to a King. We profile 6000 “King George V” in its preservation life from 1970 to 1987 covering its travels to Paddington, Didcot, Swindon, Gloucester and the North-to-West route to Chester. The trip for Swindon Borough in 1974 with unique smokebox side-plates is featured. Hard workings steam in the North-East of England in 1966/67 where ex-NER type Q6 and J27 locomotives worked to the last around the collieries of Tyne and Wear. The last Tyne Dock to Consett working with 92063 is seen complete with headboard. K1, WD 2-8-0, Q6 and J27 workings at Pelaw, Ryehope and Seaton Bank make this selection relive the days of steam as they really were. So popular was this section of the video with our customers that Volume 18 was devoted to this area for even morepower to the pit.

Steam returned to the North Wales coast in the late `80s but we visit it in 1966 with an LCGB railtour along the coast and up the Conway Valley to Blaeneau Ffestiniog and Denbigh with Britannia, Crab and ex-LMS 2-6-4Ts. Soak up the steam atmosphere with LNWR signalling at Chester. We still had 3-minutes left to give a full hour so we inserted the industrial scene at Maerdy Colliery in 1970 when ex-GWR pannier tank 9792 breathed its last in the summer sunshine. To say it was in full steam would be an understatement!

Click Here for Vol.14 – Archive Newsreel 1

Click Here for Vol.15 – Archive Newsreel 2

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Volume 14

Archive Newsreel 1 (55-mins) Price £15

There are nine sections in this film starting with LNWR 790 “Hardwicke”. This remarkable veteran stretched her legs for a short time in the 1970s. Colin White followed her. On one trip to York double-heading with “Flying Scotsman” he was even in 4472′s cab for part of the journey offering an almost unique filming opportunity. Other scenes see her in action in the Lake District. Heaton Mersey, coded 9F, with a study of Stanier’s 8Fs coming and going on this shed in its last months of operation where manual work on the coal stage was the order of the day. The fascinating crane tanks at Doxford’s ship yards near Sunderland offer us another form of locomotive. Filmed in 1970 they work hard around the yard before returning to the shed for a lunch break which used to lead to complaints from road users of smoke nuisance.. and what smoke! This is followed by more unusual locomotives in the guise of narrow gauge articulated types. Fairlies on the Ffestinog are followed by Saxon-Meyers in East Germany with transporter wagons and the amazing Herberlein brake; engines sporting a steam operated bell. The Mallett articulated engine is next studied again in Germany where 0-4-4-0 tanks work hard in the snow. Finally to Portugal for some 2-4-6-0 Mallett tanks around Regua and the smaller 0-4-4-0 types at Porto. An A4 meets an unrebuilt Bullied in 1967 when 4498 visited the Southern, ah! the charm of the chime. Returning to the continent for a few minutes to sample super power with a potted look at 2-10-0 types in Germany, Austria, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Double headers in the snow and a train with 3 2-10-0s as motive power. Even if your loyalties lie with the Big Four you cannot but help marvel at the power of some of these continental giants and in some superb locations. Back to our shores 6115 “Scots Guardsman” had two main line outings in 1978 from Dinting to York. Both occasions were captured before she disappeared from the scene to hopefully re-emerge in the 2000′s. We cover the Isle-of-Wight in Volume 21 and will do so in later productions but this section is a tribute to the last day railtour on the 31st.December 1966 when the LCGB visited the island. The tour featured the Class 02 tanks which were at the time the oldest locos in BR stock. Finally a few Bullieds act out their last duties around Bournemouth and Poole including 34001 and 34100.

Click Here for Vol.15 – Archive Newsreel 2

Click Here for Vol.17 – Archive Newsreel 3

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