Tag Archives: Merchant Navy

Volume 246

Vol.246: Southern Steam Miscellany No.8 – The Brian Parnell Collection Part 5 (79-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED OCTOBER 2023**

ALL NEW FILM!

The fifth and final instalment in our series of all new and never previously seen, high quality cine films taken by the late Brian Parnell. Here we feature footage taken from one side of the erstwhile Southern Region to the other; from Kent, Sussex and Surrey to Hampshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

We begin on the Withered Arm at Barnstaple Junction, with film of trains crossing the Torridge at Torrington, T9 4-4-0s at Wadebridge and ‘Beattie Tanks’ on the Wenford Bridge china clay line.

The fearsome grade between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central is well covered and includes ‘W’ class 0-8-0T bankers. A short sequence then follows at Tipton St Johns.

Somerset & Dorset material comprises film at Bath Green Park, Midford Viaduct (near Shepton Mallet), Wincanton & Templecombe.

A route very well covered by Brian in Spring and early Summer of 1963 was the ‘H’ class 0-4-4T operated push-pull service between Oxted and Tunbridge Wells West. This also includes film taken at Hurst Green Junction, Edenbridge Town, Hever and Groombridge.

On Sunday 24th March 1963 Brian spent the morning watching engineering work close to Wimbledon including filming pre-assembled 60ft track lengths being lowered into position with the help of two ‘Q1’ 0-6-0s. Plenty of action is seen on the main line including the down ‘Bournemouth Belle’ plus shed visits to Nine Elms and Feltham. Locations visited along the North Downs line include Gomshall & Shere, Dorking Town, Deepdene, Betchworth and Reigate.

At the end of 1963, Redhill was the Central Division’s principle steam depot and time is spent here watching the comings and goings. There is also footage inside one of the signal boxes here. Other locations visited in and around London were Banstead, Epsom Downs, Sutton, London Waterloo, Vauxhall, Clapham Junction and Latchmere Junction.

Finally, we visit Isle of Wight for steam action at Ryde Pierhead, Ryde Esplande, Ryde St.Johns Road, Smallbrook Junction, Newport, Cowes, Shanklin and Ventnor. Watch those ‘O2’ 0-4-4T tanks scurrying about!

The film was taken mainly between 1961 and 1967. Motive power includes ex-SR Bulleid Pacifics of the ‘Merchant Navy’, ‘West Country’ & ‘Battle of Britain’ classes, Maunsell 2-6-0 N and U moguls, Q1, H, S15, M7, O2, W classes, ‘Beattie’ well tank 0298, ex-GWR 45xx and ex-LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2Ts. Plus BR Standard Classes 4 & 5 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-4T and Class 3 2-6-2T. EMUs and even the occasional diesel make appearances.

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

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Volume 242

Vol.242: Southern Steam Miscellany No.7 – The Brian Parnell Collection Part 1 (77-mins) Price £19.75

**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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Released in Miscellany Series (post Vol.190), Southern Steam Miscellany Series, The Brian Parnell Collection, Volumes 239 and above | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 228

London North Eastern Steam Miscellany No.1 (80-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED late October 2019**

In this volume of our popular “Miscellany” series, we cover steam across the former London North Eastern (LNER) area and beyond. Once again it is compiled from mostly unseen footage from a variety of different cameramen and in the order the film runs off the original cine reels.

Our journey commences at Nottingham Midland with V2 2-6-2 No.60916, a locomotive temporarily loaned to the Southern Region in 1953 to cover for the “Merchant Navy” broken axle emergency. We then visit the former GCR stations at Nottingham Victoria and Sheffield Victoria, followed by York, Beverley, Aysgarth, Barnard Castle, Staveley, Doncaster, Langwith Junction, Stainforth and Hatfield.

Next to Kings Cross station and shed, Hadley Wood, Hatfield, Welwyn (and it’s famous viaduct), Langley Junction, Hitchin, Sandy, Peterborough (and Northampton), Eye Green for Crowland (M&GN) and Stoke Bank plus an extended visit to Spalding in 1963.

Moving to the North East, visits include Darlington, Newcastle Central, Gateshead Shed, Tyne Dock Shed, Sunderland Shed, Seaton Bank (including the pinning down of brakes), Ryhope Junction and the Silsworth Colliery branch.

Scotland is well covered with steam action at Aberdeen, the shed at Ferryhill, Dundee, Perth, Dunblane, Larbert, Hawick, Edinburgh, Ayre, Girvan (goods), Muirkirk, and the branch from Lugton to Giffen.

In the late 1960s, Jim Clemens purchased a significant quantity of original 16mm offcuts and unused film from Pat Whiltehouse, all relating to the BBC “Railway Roundabout” TV programmes. Included in this source are the new engine shed at Thornaby (opened in 1958), York, two “Glens” to Fort William over the West Highland line and Inverness shed.

Most of the film was taken in the period 1959 to 1967 with an exception of the LNER Garratt hauling demonstration freight in Sheffield during March 1930. Motive power seen includes ex-LNER classes A1, A2, A3, A4 pacifics, B1, B16, K1, K2, D34, Q6, O1, O4, J11, J27, V3 and J72 plus BR standards and some WD locomotives.

The majority of the archive film is in colour and an authentic sound track has been added along with an informative commentary to complement this nostalgic look at the last years of London North Eastern steam.

Cover photo:- Keith Pirt/Courtesy of Book Law Publications, Gresley O2 2-8-0 No.63933 passing under Eaton Wood road bridge, July 1961.

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Volume 212

Southern Steam Miscellany No.2 (83-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED October 2017**

Jim Clemens Collection No.35.
The second volume in our popular “Miscellany” series to covering Southern steam. It again features previously unseen footage from the Jim Clemens Collection and is mostly compiled in the order the film runs off the original cine reels. In this volume we feature a wealth of Southern steam mainly from the South Western Division including some really rare footage.

The first 10 minutes or so take us on a journey in the 1930s over the Lynton & Barnstaple narrow gauge railway. In the 1960s, Jim Clemens purchased two 16mm cine reels covering this much missed line and both are included here.

Back to standard gauge and we begin at London Waterloo followed by coverage around Clapham Junction, Hook, Basingstoke, Micheldever, Bentley, Bordon, “The Alps” line, Eastleigh station (plus the Shed & Works) and Southampton Central including some views of the liners “Queen Mary” and “Queen Elizabeth” at the Docks.

The Warwick Railway Society’s “Farewell to Steam on the LSWR” rail tour on 11th.June 1967 is covered in some detail followed by a journey from Cowes through Newport to Ryde Pier Head on the Isle of Wight. We spend some time on New Year’s Day in 1967 watching the Lymington Branch (the last steam operated branch line in the country). Back on the main line we see activity at Lymington Junction and Brokenhurst.

Jim Clemens married in February 1948 and honeymooned in Bournemouth. He often visited this popular seaside resort for an anniversary break. Therefore a considerable amount of film was taken around this area covering the last years of steam including Christchurch, Bournemouth Central and Bournemouth West. We also journey over the old Salisbury & Dorset railway in the snow during 1963 and spend time around Salisbury itself. All followed by a trip in a push-pull train propelled by an M7 0-4-4T along the Swanage Branch from Wareham, Worgret Junction and Corfe Castle! There is also coverage of Dorchester, Upwey & Broadwey and Weymouth including a visit to the Shed.

We see a cross-section of 1960s Southern motive power during our travels including locomotives from classes M7, O2, Q, S15, U, USA as well as West Country and Merchant Navy Pacifics. BR Standards also put in an appearance with examples from Class 5 & Class 4 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-4Ts, Class 3 2-6-2Ts plus a few LMS Class 2 2-6-2Ts and a “Warship” diesel.

The archive film is in both colour and Black & White and apart from the L & BR footage mostly dates from 1963 to 1967. An authentic sound track has been added along with a commentary to complement this nostalgic look at the last years of Southern steam.

Cover photo:- Alan Maund, 34095 “Brentor” arrives at Axminster, Summer 1967.

Narrated by: Mike Clemens.

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Released in Southern Steam Miscellany Series, The Jim Clemens Collection, Volumes 207-213 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 197

Southern Steam Finale No.10 (60-mins) Price £19.75

**RELEASED September 2015**

The final(!) of our Southern Steam Finale series which covers the last 18 months leading up to the end of steam on the Southern Region in July 1967. Here we use material that was not included in the first 9 volumes plus a few minutes of early preservation footage; but even that is from over 30 years ago! Luckily some Southern engines survived to bring back memories of those halcyon days. We look at some of the older classes the Lord Nelsons, King Arthurs & Schools, which although all withdrawn in 1962, have examples which have been in steam since July 1967.

Twenty years on from the end of steam, Merchant Navy “Clan Line” was seen on the Blackmore Vale Expresses from Salisbury to Exeter, with grateful thanks to Gerald Daniels the then Area Manager. Bullied Battle of Britain 34067 “Tangmere” and West Country 34092 “City of Wells” are also seen on specials, some far away from their comfort zone.

But back to 1967. The majority of the engines at the end were unkempt but not unloved by their drivers, with many a tale being told of a Bulleid Pacific thundering along the track at over 100mph! Most of this volume concentrates on the last steam main line from Waterloo to Bournemouth and Weymouth, but we also take a trip across the Solent to the Isle of Wight to see the Victorian Adams 02 class 0-4-4 tanks. These really useful engines, were sent to the Island by the Southern Railway in the 1920s to replace the ancient engines inherited from the various Island railways. They lasted to the end of steam on the Island, and one W24 “Calbourne” has been preserved.

As well as the more glamorous express engines, we see Urie and Maunsell S15s, Maunsell N & U class Moguls, Bulleid’s Q1s and the USA 0-6-0 dock tanks. Standard Class 4s & 5s are seen, working alongside Standard Class 3 and 4 tanks. LMS Black 5s and Ivatt tanks are also seen plus A4 60024 “Kingfisher” and A2 60532 “Blue Peter” on enthusiast specials.

So pour yourself a glass of Tizer, tuck into that individual apple pie and sit back and enjoy the DVD.

Cover photo:- Keith Pirt/Courtesy Book Law Publications, Schools Class 30926 “Repton” passing Paddock Wood, 1962.

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Released in Southern Steam Finale, Volumes 190-199 | 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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Released in Along Southern Lines, Volumes 180-189 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volume 96

Southern Steam Finale No.9 (60-mins) Price £19.75

The final weeks of Southern Region steam in June and July 1967 covered in depth. Normal running over the main line from Waterloo to Weymouth with the remaining Bulleids and Standards is portrayed. There are shed visits to Nine Elms and Weymouth as engines are prepared for their last turns and for some the last ever. Railtours are seen with the visit of 4498 SIR NIGEL GRESLEY to the region for a tour to Weymouth and is covered by nine different cameramen en route. The two BR specials hauled by Merchant Navies and two Society tours, the last one visiting Haslemere bank and the Swanage bank sometimes utilising double heading. The last weeks’ trains including running at 97 m.p.h. from the footplate. There were failures too. The last day of steam as the final up steam-hauled train came up from Weymouth whilst other engines were steaming off to withdrawal at Salisbury. This video is different. This is how it really was at the end. It is not just a succession of runpasts, we also concentrate on detail.

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Volume 59

Southern Steam Finale Part 5 (60-mins) Price £19.75

The next volume in this definitive series of the end of Southern steam, now being collected as the historical record of the time, covers the four months of October to December 1966 and into January 1967. Once more, sixteen cameramen supplied material for this volume allowing the full story to be told for the period. As a video of Southern steam it also stands on its own since the general steam service is filmed over the South Western lines from Waterloo to Weymouth. However, as with all videos in this series, full coverage of rail tours of the period is included. The first seen is the RCTS Four Counties tour covering the Tooting branch with Guildford’s shed pilot engine 30072. Next the Dorset and Hants tour with two un-rebuilt pacifics taking in the Somerset and Dorset to Blandford, the remains of the Ringwood branch and finally Hamworthy Goods. Merchant Navy class 35026′s visit to Newcastle, Doncaster and York. “CLUN CASTLE” and Britannia 70004 took Bulleid stock to Stratford on Avon and Stourbridge Junction. The end of steam on the Isle of Wight did come on the last day of December 1966 and coverage is given to the whole route remaining from Ryde Esplanade to Shanklin. Lastly the rail tour to the Bridport branch via Salisbury, Westbury and Maiden Newton with all its troubles is fully related. Oh yes, and also the last steam run to Exeter!

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Volume 42

Railways of the East Midlands No.1 (60-mins) Price £19.75

Three main railways ran through the East Midlands. The Midland itself, the LNWR and the last to arrive was the Great Central. This video looks at these lines and their connections and branches from 1959 to 1967. The GC is followed from Marylebone to Nottingham, with views from 1964 with B1, Hall, Jubilee and 9F, plus the last workings of Stanier’s Black 5’s when things did not always go to plan; a failure of 44936 at Brackley is a gem! The Newport Pagnell branch is covered before a long look at the Leighton Buzzard to Luton secondary line. Luton is featured before a journey along the original Midland route to London, from Hitchin to Bedford, when 3F’s still worked the freight. Northampton to Peterborough East follows before viewing the Seaton to Stamford push-pulls from the lineside, on the footplate and on train. Ironstone was once the big industry in the East Midlands and n in depth look at the systems and BR’s role in taking it away is featured. Derby Works and shed are visited as well as the Wirksworth branch. Motive power seen is predominately LMS, 0F, 2F, 3F, 4F, Black 5, Jubilee, Super D, Scot and Duchess. Seven Bl’s appear, even an Al pacific, GW Hall and Castle, and Merchant Navy 35030. Along with Standard types this shows that the East Midlands certainly had variety. Early liveried diesels also appear, including DP2 and the Blue Pullman.

Click Here for Vol.67 – Railways of the East Midlands No.2

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Volume 23

Steam North & East (60-mins) Price £19.75

Complementing Volume 21 we cover main lines and branches from the Midlands to Scotland and the East Coast Main Line. The “Wandering 1500” railtour using B12 61572 from Broad Street to Stratford-upon-Avon via Bedford and Northampton is followed by steam at Tebay and a long section of steam in 1967 on the Settle and Carlisle line. Scotland is reached via a railtour from Manchester using Merchant Navy 35026, Jubilee “Bihar & Orissa” and 4472 “Flying Scotsman” via the S & C and Waverley Routes. Through Fife with J37s and V2 60813. Then a look at A4s, Standards and Black 5s between Aberdeen and Perth. Duchess 46245 “City of London” is motive power Kings Cross to Doncaster for a visit to the Works where we see 60014 “Silver Link” withdrawn but still intact. Scenes at KIngs Cross and Wood Green in 1963 with A4, A3, A1 and WD are relived. Tours with 60007 in 1963 and later as 4498 in 1967 at Peterborough preclude seeing “Flying Scotsman”’s last departure from the `Cross as 60103 and its early forays on BR as 4472 with two tenders and even a Chime whistle. Oh yes, even “Clun Castle” climbing Potters Bar all go to making this a video you should not be without.

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