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Ref: RF647D

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A 2xDVD set of the Isle of Wight's railways, featuring both both "modern" and archive steam days footage.

Disk 1:

Until well into the twentieth century, the Isle of Wight boasted a railway system of fifty-five miles, run by several small individual companies – usually cash-strapped and relying on second-hand locomotives and rolling stock 'cascaded' from the mainland. As the years went by these companies became amalgamated, but chronic shortages of money persisted; once cars and buses had become commonplace, passenger traffic was sparse outside the high holiday season and so the antique character of these rural lines carried through to the present day.

The island's 'main' line is still a part of the national network and until 2021 relied on ex-London Transport tube electric units dating back to the pre-war days of 1938 (from January to March 2021 the line was temporarily closed and rebuilt to handle much newer ex-LT D60 surface stock that has been re-engineered and re-furbished as Class 484 by VivaRail. This change is not featured here). Meanwhile, a restored five-mile heritage line operates a wonderful collection of restored steam locomotives and carriages from the island's Victorian heyday; were it not for its offshore location, this line would surely be far more widely known and celebrated than it is.

Fine footage of all these lines, by the lineside and behind the scenes, is a highlight of this programme which is presented by BBC Antiques Roadshow's Paul Atterbury. Paul knew the island from childhood and finds its railways today a wonderful and unique slice of transport heritage – a living antique show in its own right.

This production has been made with the full co-operation and involvement of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Disk 2: ALL CHANGE FOR THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Here we follow the adventures of an imaginary steam enthusiast who goes to the Isle of Wight in the last months of steam on the iconic Isle of Wight railway system in late 1966. Naturally, he goes via Lymington to enjoy steam on the "Last Steam Branch Line" from Brockenhurst and then on the Paddle Vessel "Farringford" to Yarmouth. Making his way to Ryde via the Island buses as the Cowes line was already shut he catches a steam train from Ryde Pier Head after viewing one of the remaining Paddle Steamers that plied the Portsmouth to Ryde route. All along the way from Pier Head to Shanklin there is evidence of the drastic changes afoot as the line is prepared for electrification and we end with scenes of the last days of steam with strange workings such as top and tailed steam from Ryde Esplanade, wrong line working and, most ominously, ex-LT electric units awaiting the End of Steam.

Enjoy this second disk with 100% archive film of the railways of the Isle of Wight. The many rare views and long lost railway action depicted in this film does not appear in Disk 1 and has not been released on video previously.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Alan Gilbert
Narrated by: 1-DVD-R
First published on DVD: February 2020
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1-DVD-R
Origination: 16mm cine-film


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Ref: RF642D

Price:£19.99

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The Hoppers – Moving Derbyshire into Cheshire

Limestone has been extracted from the Peak District hills since Roman Times, and has been moved by rail to various places for over a century. For around eighty years dedicated trains of limestone have been rolling into Cheshire – Northwich’s chemical industry, to be precise – and the process is still going on.

Join Railfilms Lts as we look at the history of the famous hopper trains – from initial inception by the LMS, through the steam era, trials with early diesels, the classic growl of pairs of class 37s which worked the trains for so many years – through to today’s class 60s and 66s with modern air-braked wagons.

You can experience the sight and sound of one of the longest freight flows in the UK which isn’t going to die just yet, and meet the men who made it happen on a daily basis. And there’s a lot more of Derbyshire left to move!

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First published on DVD: March 2019
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1-DVD-R


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Ref: RF643D

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The Southern Railway built 140 Pacific’s, 2nd only to LNER on which the eminent railway engineer Oliver Bullied first worked with his ideas. Oliver Bulleid went on to be the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway and although only 8 LNER Pacific’s have been preserved, 30 plus Bulleids are in the hands of preservationists today. Many of these are still in service on mainlines or preserved railways.

This programme shows all those that have been working in the 21st century. Perhaps the most notable of which was the very first locomotive of the class which was ultimately rebuilt built by British Railways – 35018 British India Line affectionately known as BIL.

After looking at the locomotives in their last service days in the 1960s we look in detail at each survivor over half a century further on.

Archive film, exclusively shot sequences coupled to an informative narration complete this fascinating story.

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Narrated by: 1-DVD-R
First published on DVD: December 2018
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1-DVD-R


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Ref: RF519D

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This programme looks in depth at the former Cheshire Lines Railway between Manchester – Stockport – Altrincham – Northwich and Chester. After an introduction the programme is divided into three watchable segments each accompanied with detailed commentary and archive film and photographs.

Cheshire Lines for Cheshire People A celebration of the whole line from Manchester to Chester and the attractions along the way. We look at rolling stock through the years and finally examine the work of the newly created Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership that is attracting travellers back to the railway. Cheshire Lines Freight – A look at freight through the years, not surprisingly centred mainly on Northwich.

Features recent developments. Cheshire Lines Specials – By way of a “bonus track” – a look at some of the various special trains and diversions that have visited the Cheshire Lines since 1960, culminating in extended coverage of the May 2004 Steam Shuttles between Chester and Altrincham. The accent here is on lineside action and steam. A handy DVD menu allows the viewer to navigate each chapter or watch the programme in its entirety.

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Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 63-mins (1hr 3min)

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Ref: RF516D

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Of all of Britain's Great Railway Journeys surely one of the most dramatic is that across the fells and moors between Settle and Carlisle. A line that nearly succumbed to the threat of closure but that survived against all the odds to fight another day. The immense engineering and construction feat to push the railway through inhospitable terrain has left a legacy that provides the traveller with some of the most dramatic of train window views anywhere.

Today the railway is busier than ever, carrying local people as a public service, hill walkers at leisure, and heavy freight tonnages. The route regularly witnesses the return of steam locomotives to its rails as enthusiasts chase the ultimate nostalgic experience of riding 'the long drag'. Today supporting organisations have helped restore station buildings and conserved a railway legend. This programme, using the latest helicopter gyroscopic film techniques, introduces a new dimension for the traveller. Skimming the treetops the viewer is introduced to the S & C from a unique aerial angle allowing the full majesty of the line to be appreciated in a wider geographical context.

Time is taken to pause at some of the attractive villages along the route whilst there is no better way to appreciate the full impact of Ribblehead viaduct and others than from the air. A commentary provides information on features along the line in a programme where the railway, rather than the trains, is the real star! However for those who long for the days of steam a bonus section of additional footage provides that final nostalgic element.

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Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 70-mins (1hr 10min)

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Ref: RF568D

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This programme looks at the 400-strong workforce, whose charges include IC-125s, Class 50s and Class 37s, and shows the locos at work on main lines and branches, and undergoing servicing and repair at Laira.

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Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R


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Ref: RF569D

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This programme traces the fascinating story of one of the oldest-established loco works & traction depots on the BR system, and surveys the vibrant present-day Traction Repair Shop, the Maintenance Depot alongside and its 110-strong fleet of locos at work.

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Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R


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Ref: RF570D

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This volume looks at the widely differing depots of Motherwell, Ayr, Millerhill, Grangemouth, Thornton & Perth, and at the traffic their locos service, taking in some impressive & little-known locations in districts such as the resurgent Ayrshire coalfield.

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Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R


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Ref: RF572D

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In 1990, Altrincham celebrated 700 years of its Royal Charter. The achievements and developments of this Cheshire town were marked by both events and publications that recorded its rise to importance in the South Manchester conurbation. That growth was largely due to the coming of the railway to the town in 1849 under the control of the Manchester South Junction & Altrincham Railway Company. This programme, with archive film and historical material follows that development and, in particular, features the 1,500 volts DC pioneering electric railway system introduced in 1931. The memories of those who remember the unique features of the 'old leccies' are aired, together with tales of their introduction and demise.

Engineers and enthusiasts alike recount both the first day of electric train working in May 1931, and the dramatic scenes at Altrincham some 40 years later when, as the oldest stock of its type then in use on BR tracks rattled away into the night adorned with commemorative headboard and wreath In l 971 the line was re-electrified to complement the national network at 25KV, and in the late 1980s is changed yet again with the introduction of the Metrolink Light Rapid Transit system. Once again, pioneering electric trains to Manchester.

'This video is well produced and must be regarded as a standard work on the line for the period covered.' (K&WVR Magazine) 'A very well produced video - superb aerial sequences.' (Railway Magazine))

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Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 50-mins (0hr 50min)

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Ref: RF600D

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This second volume features the changeover to Metrolink services on the Bury and Altrincham lines. Prior to that changeover, sequences record the last days of the 504 units out of Bury and 304 units into Altrincham. Dramatic 'last night' scenes capture the end of an era. The programme follows the countdown to the commencement of Metrolink services, featuring the biggest upheaval in any UK city's transport system for decades. Also included is archive film of the 506 units which ran from Manchester to Glossop and Hadfield and that ended their days in December 1984. Additional rare archive film looks back at the old MSJ and AR between the 1930s and 1971, including a 1969 cab ride!

News footage covers the planning and implementation of Metrolink's Phase 1, including many of the changes, the arrival of the first unit (1001), street testing, 'first day' services in the city centre and out to Altrincham, and the official opening ceremony of the network by Her Majesty the Queen. Supporting interviews with Metrolink and PTE staff together with specially filmed sequences make this programme an ideal companion to Volume l and a concise record of Manchester's pioneering electric railway's past, present and future.

'A wealth of detail and statistics that demand repeat viewing.' (Rail)

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Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 63-mins (1hr 3min)

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Ref: RF522D

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Availability: AVAILABLE
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R


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Ref: RF565D

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Duchess of Hamilton's epic journey Euston-Glasgow-York on the weekend of 30 November - 1 December '96 with footage from the lineside & on board the train.

On the weekend of St. Andrew’s Day 1996, 30 November - 1 December '96, the National Railway Museum’s Flagship locomotive Number 46229 Duchess of Hamilton undertook a marathon London - Glasgow - York weekend railtour, using the last two day's validity of her current mainline certificate. Railfilms’s cameras were both on board and trackside to bring you a comprehensive record of this unique event, as well as a brief look at the history of Coronation Class Pacifics and Number 46229 in particular.

This programme gives you the chance to meet those people whose hard work made this journey possible, both on and off the train. Join us on the train, on the footplate, in the diner and of course at the lineside, where our numerous camera teams bring you the best of the action, including the north bound assault on the climb to Shap Summit.

The trip took an enormous amount of effort to organise, and was not without its problems, but overall, the trip was a huge success As Mel Chamberlain of Days Out observes, it was basically a case of organising what many commentators said couldn’t be done!

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 1997 on VHS, 2003 on DVD
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 60-mins (1hr 0min) , Colour
.

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