British Pathe

High angle L/S of an electric diesel train speeding through the countryside as commentator talks of the modernisation of the railways. Mix through to M/S of a steam train (name on the side reads 'Primrose') coming along the track to join up with some carriages; pan right to show another engine, 'Bluebell'...

High angle L/S of an electric diesel train speeding through the countryside as commentator talks of the modernisation of the railways. Mix through to M/S of a steam train (name on the side reads 'Primrose') coming along the track to join up with some carriages; pan right to show another engine, 'Bluebell' on the near side track at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex.

M/S of some ladies in Victorian costume walking through the station entrance; C/U of the sign above the entrance reading 'Bluebell Railway Preservation Society'. The Victorian ladies walk along the platform beside a steam train (named 'Stepney') and chat with the driver before getting into a carriage.

Various shots of the train being prepared for the journey; the driver polishes his cab; a man clips some wire on the funnel; a jet of steam squirts out from the wheels; the ticket office is put in position by three men. A stack of tickets in a holder is placed on the counter; a family exchanges their British Railways tickets for some Bluebell Railway tickets there. M/S of the station sign reading 'Sheffield Park'.

Nice M/S of many people (in normal dress) getting into carriages; the driver is given the key to the railway points so he has right of way during the journey. C/U of the guard waving a flag; M/S as the train moves off. Various travelling shots from the train, including a nice point of view shot from the front of the cab as we go under a bridge. M/Ss of a young man pulling levers that work the signals. Commentator says most workers here are amateurs, but one engine driver works for British Railways.

M/S of coal being shovelled into the train boiler. As the train comes into a station the driver hands the points key to the young signal man. M/S of the steam train coming towards us under a bridge.

Note: print used for telecine transfer is quite badly scratched; neg is incomplete.