Description

The 1960s were to prove to be the last decade in which the steam locomotive was to be used in public service on the national railway network of Great Britain. It had held sway for virtually one and a half centuries and its charisma had created a devoted following amongst the male population of the country of its birth that amounted almost to a cult.

For much of its lifetime the steam locomotive fleet’s history was recorded in print, and whilst a vast knowledge base was built up by professional and amateur historians alike very few took an opportunity to record the working scene on movie film. Moving images of the steam locomotive are therefore rare in comparison as the professional railwayman had little need of such footage other than for publicity purposes.

We are then indeed fortunate that there were such amateur movie cameramen as Richard Willis who recorded these priceless images of everyday steam in action. It is from his unique collection of 16mm film that this series of five programmes has been created. Richard Willis was brought up in Leicestershire, near the county town, so it is to his ‘home territory’ that this first programme is devoted.

He started filming in the early 1960s when steam had less than a decade still to run. Diesel trains, such as the Blue Pullman were already making inroads. This first volume is devoted to this changing scene.

Including: Leicester MPD, Belgrave & Birstall, Rugby, Croxton, Aylestone Fields, Leicester Central, Abbey Lane, Rothley, Loughborough, Nottingham Victoria and many other lineside locations.

EACH PROGRAMME HAS BEEN MADE FROM ORIGINAL 16MM ARCHIVE FILM, DIGITALLY REMASTERED, RESCRIPTED AND PROFESSIONALLY REDUBBED IN 2004. 100% SOUND EFFECTS THROUGHOUT FROM PETER HANDFORD’S UNIQUE ARCHIVE.