**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 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.

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**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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**RELEASED February 2018**

The fifth in our miscellany series covering London Midland steam is compiled from reviously unseen high standard footage taken by the late Harry Ashby. A bit different to the norm, it features a high proportion of freight trains.

We begin on the line from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton with coverage at Hollinswood Junction, Madeley Junction, Shifnal and in particular at Cosford. The latter was favourite haunt of Harry Ashby and much time is spent here watching the all-steam activity. It even includes footage of two passing V-bombers!

Next there are scenes along the old North Staffordshire line from Burton-on-Trent to Uttoxeter at Scropton and Tutbury while Aldridge is seen under a blanket of snow in February 1966.

Another well covered location is Elford Loop on the Midland route from Derby to Birmingham plus film taken near to Haselour water troughs. We watch a seemingly never ending stream of freight trains passing by at Wichnor Sidings and Wichnor Junction to the south of Burton-on-Trent.

Other locations visited include Lichfield Trent Valley, Lichfield City, Colwich and Winwick Junction to the north of Warrington on the WCML. There is excellent quality film of the Peak District including Buxton shed and yards, Great Rocks Junction and Peak Forest.

In 1967, Harry travelled on an SLS tour from Stockport over the Pennines and through Leeds to York behind Britannia No.70038 “Robin Hood” and also in 1965 on the WRS “Pennine” tour with plenty of coverage at Leeds and at Carlisle Kingmoor shed.

The time period for the majority of the film is the five or so years prior to the end of steam in 1968. Motive power includes BR Standard Britannia and Clan pacifics, Class 5s, Class 4 4-6-0s and 2-6-0s and 9F 2-10-0s as well as ex-LMS Black 5s, 8Fs, Jubilees, Ivatt Class 2 and 4 2-6-0s plus WD 2-8-0s and an ex-LNER B1 and K1!

The archive film is entirely in colour An authentic sound track has been added along with a commentary to complement this further nostalgic look at the last years of London Midland steam.

Cover photo:- Keith Pirt/Courtesy Book Law Publications:- Black 5 No.44810 passes Rowington Water Troughs, June 1962.

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**RELEASED January 2016**

This volume in our miscellany series covers steam in the North East. Once again we use mostly previously unseen film compiled in the order the film runs off the original cine reels and largely without our usual detailed commentaries.

We start at Northallerton in August 1963 with a return journey to Newcastle where time is spent watching all the activities during a summer Saturday followed by visits to Gateshead and Darlington Sheds. At Scarborough, there are scenes that include Londesborough Road station and a train with an articulated twin-coach set.

Next we visit York in both 1961 and 1963 followed by visits to Leeds Central, Beverley, Malton and Filey Holiday Camp.

Much of this volume concentrates on the BR systems north and south of the Tyne where steam lasted until the summer of 1967. This was the last area where pre-grouping main line locomotives could still be seen at work. At Sunderland the shed is visited and we spend a lot of time at Ryhope Grange, Seaton Bank and the photogenic Silksworth branch.

Tyne Dock was famous for its 9F 2-10-0s working the Consett iron ore trains whilst at Pelaw we witness something for the diesel enthusiast, an English Electric Type 3 complete with brake tender!

In the area North of the Tyne during the period covered by our volume, Blyth was the largest coal shipping port in Europe. We see plenty of coal trains around Holywell, Bedlington, Percy Main, South Blyth and North Blyth. We also visit Immingham and Frodingham.

Gresley V2s are seen at Berwick on a special in 1966 whilst another special visits the Middleton-in-Teesdale branch in 1964. There is plenty of steam at Wakefield Kirkgate and Westgate stations as well as a Deltic interloper!

Classes of steam locomotives seen include A1, A3, A4, V2, B1, B16, J27, J37, V3, Q6, WD 2-8-0, LMS 2-6-4T, Ivatt Class 4 2-6-0, Black 5, 8F, BR Standard Britannia, 77xxx 2-6-0 and 9Fs.

Filmed entirely in colour during the 1960s, an authentic sound track has been added along with a commentary.

Cover photo:- Keith Pirt/Courtesy of Booklaw Publications, J27s in action at West Hartlepool Junction, June 1960.

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