West & Wales

Ref: VI942D

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There is no better way to appreciate the views along the sleepy backwater that is the Cambrian Coast route these days than from the Driver's cab. Our Class 150 "Sprinter" makes an unscheduled stop at Dovey Junction to pick up a couple of passengers deposited on this out of the way station with no road access. Out onto the coast we encounter the most notorious section on the whole line - the narrowest of ledges cut into the sheer rockface of the Friog cliffs and the site of two disasters.

Finally, there is the half-mile long timber trestle bridge at Barmouth, still standing in splendid isolation across the Mawddach estuary. Two other railways are featured en route, the Talyllyn narrow gauge railway at Tywyn and the Fairbourne and Barmouth Steam railway.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Narrated by: Dafydd Hywel, written by Peter Middleton.
Sound: Dolby Digital
First published on DVD: 1988
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD

Running Time: 80-mins (1hr 20min) , Colour
.

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Ref: VI958D

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• Liskeard to Looe

• Lostwithiel to Fowey

• Par to Newquay

• Falmouth to Truro

• St.Erth to St.Ives

No less than five branches are featured, in fact all the passenger lines and one freight. The scenery of the Looe branch with the interesting reversal and climb from Coombe Junction, the freight-only branch to Fowey, running alongside the picturesque river, the meandering Newquay branch, the Falmouth branch still with its original main line infrastructure and finally the classic coastal railway over golden sands to picture postcard St.Ives. All motive power is first generation DMUs on the passenger branches (single and two car) with a Class 37 loco on the Fowey branch. This is now a virtual archive and filmed in high quality. It could have been filmed yesterday.. except this was 30 years or so ago!

Availability: AVAILABLE
Narrated by: Anton Rogers
Written by: Peter Middleton
First published on DVD: 1991 on VHS, 2003 DVD
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 91-mins (1hr 31min) , Colour
.

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Ref: VI301

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The Cotswolds and Malverns line is 86¼ miles long and takes us through the heart of the English countryside, recognised as an area of outstanding natural beauty. We travel in the cab of a First Great Western High Speed Train (HST).

Our journey begins at Oxford, the gateway to the Cotswolds. Much of the route is of single track but some sections have recently been reinstated allowing line speeds of up to 100mph. Much of the route is still worked on the block signalling principle and controlled by semaphores.

As well as following our HST from the cab and trackside, we see the magnificent scenery from the air. This Driver's eye view was filmed almost in real time and mostly in the mid-summer sunshine of 2013.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Narrated by: Jonathon Kydd
First published on DVD: November 2013
Screen aspect ratio: 16:9 wide screen SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD

Running Time: 108-mins (1hr 48min)

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Ref: VI317

Total Price:£18.00

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Two cab rides: Plymouth to Gunnislake, Newton Abbot to Paignton

The 14¾ mile long Gunnislake branch is the stub of the former LSWR main line from Plymouth to Exeter. Beyond Plymouth, this surprisingly remote line follows the River Tamar for much of the way. At Bere Alston, our class 150 Sprinter reverses onto the former Callington Branch, which takes us over the Tamar on a classic 120 ft high 12 arch viaduct into Cornwall. The line has steep gradients, tight curves and severe speed restrictions.

For the Paignton branch we join a class 143 pacer at Newton Abbot. The 'Riviera Line' is a 7¼ mile long double track branch that takes in the popular holiday resorts of Torquay and Paignton.

Narrated by Rob Curling, written by Peter Middleton.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Narrated by: Rob Curling
First published on DVD: February 2017
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD

Running Time: 67-mins (1hr 7min)

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Ref: VI316

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This Driver's eye view follows two branch lines: the Exmouth Branch and the Barnstaple Branch.

We travel over both lines in one service, formed of a Class 143 Pacer. The branch from Exmouth to Extere hugs the shore o fthe wide River Exe estuary for the start of it's 9 miles to Exmouth Junction where it joins with the former LSWR main line from London Waterloo.

At Exeter St.David's this limited stop service heads north over the Barnstaple Branch. The single line runs for nearly 38 miles, the first section through Crediton being over the former LSWR main line into Plymouth and North Cormwall. Here we pass the down train. At Eggesford another train is passed and we follow the token exchange procedure from the signal box at Crediton. Our train then continues through the picturesque and scenic Devon countryside to Barnstaple in glorious sunshine.

Written by Peter Middleton and narrated by Rob Curling.

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: February 2017
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD

Running Time: 84-mins (1hr 24min) Click here for a map

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Ref: VI997D

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The direct line from Swindon, via Bristol Parkway, was built to reduce the journey time from South Wales in conjunction with the Severn Tunnel.

In 2002, one service a day continued to Fishguard in connection with the ferry to the Emerald Isle. These are now history but Video 125 cameras managed to ride aboard a First Great Western 125 High Speed Train (HST) before the through services were abandoned.

For most of our journey in the cab of a First Great Western High Speed Train, we are travelling through Wales on the country's major main line - the South Wales. Engineered by I.K.Brunel, it was the last main line to be built to the 7ft broad gauge. The double line eventually gives way to a single track at Clarbeston Road. The 3/4 mile Fishguard branch is worked by electric token. The train calls at Bristol Parkway, Newport, Cardiff, Bridgend, Port Talbot, Neath, Swansea, and Whitland.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Narrated by: Richard Bath
Written by: Peter Middleton
Sound: Dolby digital stereo
First published on DVD: 2002
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 118-mins (1hr 58min) , Colour
.

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Ref: VI959D

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Porthmadog - Blaenau Ffestiniog (Narrow gauge steam)

Blaenau Ffestiniog - Llandudno (Standard gauge DMU)

The 13 .5 mile narrow gauge line was originally built to carry slate and for many years was worked by gravity. We travel aboard one of the famous double Fairlie steam engines - "Merddin Emrys" for a ride that is typically rocky in places. The terrain changes from the wide open "Cob" at Porthmadog, to the fertile wooded valley in the vale of Ffestiniog and the Snowdonia national park, to the slate capital of Wales itself, Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Within the first mile of the former LNWR line, on board a first generation class 101 DMU, we pass amongst the old mine and quarry workings and enter the 21.4 mile long Ffestiniog tunnel. At the end of the tunnel is the wild and remote Lledr valley. After Betws-y-coed the line levels out and we dash along the Conwy Valley to Llandudno Junction, on the Holyhead main line.

Finally, we traverse the three mile long double track branch to Llandudno, in 1991 still block-worked with semaphore signals.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: 1992
Written by: Peter Middleton
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo
First published on DVD: 1992 on VHS, 2003 on DVD
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD
Origination: Broadcast Quality Analogue Video

Running Time: 91-mins (1hr 31min) , Colour
.

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Ref: VI924D

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Skirting the edge of the Cotswolds the line from Swindon to Gloucester runs through the valley of the River Frome, enchantingly known as the Golden Valley.

The viewing platform for our 36¾ mile journey is a 2-car class 143 Pacer operated by Wessex Trains. Some of the delights of any journey over this route are the classic GWR stations at Kemble and Stroud, little changed over time.

As well as the usual shots of the driver at work, trackside runpasts and station sequences, there are aerial shots taken from a helicopter.

BONUS FOOTAGE : STEREO TRACKS

Originally a programme in its own right, 30 minutes of railway action chosen with the emphasis on their stereo soundtracks. Now included as a menu-driven bonus on this Driver's eye view.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Written by Peter Middleton
Narrated by: Alan Hardwick
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo
First published on DVD: 2006
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Origination: DV

Running Time: 78-mins (1hr 18min) , Colour
.

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Ref: VI970D

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Swansea to Shrewsbury via Llandrindod Wells.

The normal four hour journey has been condensed into a video of just one and a half hours of the most interesting and scenic sections.

These include the departure from Swansea, the 1 in 52 climb up to Cockett tunnel and the reversal at Llanelli. Nowadays the route is signalled entirely from Pantyffynnon Box, and here we see the line's last remaining semaphores. Our single car class 153 unit then tackles the famous bank up to Sugar Loaf tunnel.

We de-train at both Llanwrtyd and Llandrindod Wells for a brief look at these typical spa towns. Finally, at Craven Arms, we join the former LNWR/GWR joint line from Hereford for the semaphore-signalled run into Shrewsbury.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Peter Middletion
Narrated by: Arfon Haines Davies
First published on DVD: 1994 on VHS, 2003 on DVD
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD

Running Time: 93-mins (1hr 33min) , Colour
.

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Ref: VI962D

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The magnificent engineering of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's original Great Western Railway is best appreciated from the driver's cab, in this case an InterCity 125 High Speed Train. Filmed in 1993, in the BR era and pre-privatisation, we proceed through the outskirts of London at an exhilarating 125mph, over the Wharncliffe viaduct at Brent (where construction of the GWR actually began in 1835) across the Thames at Maidenhead (the bridge that was expected to fall down) through the expansive Sonning Cutting to arrive at the "hub" station of Reading.

Next stop is Swindon, followed by a non-stop run to Bath through the famous Box Tunnel (the last section to be opened, well behind schedule) before arriving at Bristol Temple Meads. Here we see inside Brunel's original terminus, with its wooden overall roof, an amazing survivor through sheer quirk of fate.

There then follows a 50% condensed run down the old Bristol and Exeter Railway, via Cogload Junction, Taunton, the famous Wellington Bank up to White Ball Tunnel and, finally, Exeter St Davids.

Also features a look at the broad gauge track at Didcot. Includes the complete theme tune "Holiday Suite" by Simon May.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Narrated by: Anton Rogers, written by Peter Middleton.
Written by: Peter Middleton
Sound: Dolby digital stereo
First published on DVD: 1993
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD

Running Time: 95-mins (1hr 35min) , Colour
.

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Ref: VI944D

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HST West

We see virtually the whole of Brunel’s route from Exeter St David’s to Newton Abbot including the notorious seaside section at Dawlish. From there we head inland to Totnes, over the infamous banks at Dainton and Rattery, through Ivybridge on the very edge of Dartmoor and into Plymouth itself. We finish with a driver’s view of the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash.

Filmed in 1986 weeks before the semaphore signals were abolished for ever.

HST Far West

Filmed in 1990, our journey starts at the Royal Albert Bridge. The 75 miles from Saltash to Penzance contains the greatest number of viaducts per mile on any British Railway and such exaggerated curvature that there is only one dead straight mile of track throughout. Once again, virtually the whole route is shown including the many single line sections.

There are dozens of aerial views taken from a helicopter on both of the above productions. Features include the Atmospheric Railway pump house at Starcross, Dobwalls miniature railroad (long since closed-in 2007) and the Bodmin Steam Railway.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Narrated by: Anton Rogers, written by Peter Middleton.
First published on DVD: 1990
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD

Running Time: 180-mins (3hr 0min)

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Ref: VI315D

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CREWE to HOLYHEAD

The 21st century incarnation of the traditional Irish Boat Train running from London to Holyhead, nowadays takes the form of a handful of daily services run by Virgin Trains.

We join one such service at Crewe for a trip along the North Wales Coast. Our train is formed of a 5 car class 221 Super Voyager. The 1049 is the fastest service of the day. Our first stop is the City of Chester, after which we run non-stop to the popular seaside resort of Rhyl. Running along the scenic coastline via Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction we get some fabulous views, not least of which the Iconic Conwy Castle and the castellated bridge over the river.

After Bangor, we see the equally iconic Britannia Bridge crossing the Menai Strait. Ravaged by fire in 1970, the bridge had to be largely rebuilt and now we can see it from the Driver's viewpoint. The first station we pass through on the Isle of Anglesey has that famous name, the longest of all, Llanfair

pwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch. It takes Welsh-speaking narrator Arfon Haines Davies to pronounce it.

Arfon also tells us the history of the route, dating from 1848 and built specifically to convey the Irish mail from London to Dublin,

Following our train all the way from Crewe to Holyhead is a helicopter taking in some spectacular views from the air.

Filmed on a glorious summer's day in 2016 under a clear blue sky, this surely is a journey not to be missed?

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Peter Middleton
Narrated by: Arfon Haines Davies
Sound: Stereo, Dolby Audio
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD

Running Time: 109-mins (1hr 49min) , Colour
.

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