Train Time(1952)

How They Dug the Victoria Line(en)

First transmitted in 1969, this documentary follows the construction of the world’s most advanced underground system. Macdonald Hastings narrates the story of one of the most complex tunnel engineering feats of its time. He reveals the isolation felt by the miners who spent six years burrowing deep beneath the streets of London, shows what they did beneath one of London's most famous department stores and explains why the ground at Tottenham Court Road had to be frozen during the hottest weeks of 1966. The result is a brave new world of transport with automated trains, two way mirrors, automatic fare collection and closed-circuit television, all choreographed by a computer programme played out by an updated version of a pianola located in a control room somewhere near Euston station.

The End Of The Line: Rochester's Subway(en)

"The End of the Line - Rochester's Subway" tells the little-known story of the rail line that operated in a former section of the Erie Canal from 1927 until its abandonment in 1956. Produced in 1994 by filmmakers Fredrick Armstrong and James P. Harte, the forty-five minute documentary recounts the tale of an American city's bumpy ride through the Twentieth Century, from the perspective of a little engine that could, but didn't. The film has since been rereleased (2005) and now contains the main feature with special portions that were added as part of the rereleased version. These include a look at the only surviving subway car from the lines and a Phantom tun through the tunnels in their abandoned state, among others, for a total of 90 minutes of unique and well preserved historical information.

Quintinshill: Britain's Deadliest Rail Disaster(en)

Neil Oliver describes the worst ever railway accident in the UK, which happened a hundred years ago on 22 May 1915, in which three trains collided at Quintinshill near Gretna Green. One of the trains was a troop train taking soldiers to fight in World War I at the Battle of Gallipoli: many of the dead were in this train which caught fire due to escaped gas from the archaic gas lighting in the carriages. The cause of the crash was attributed to a catastrophic signalman's error, but Neil examines whether there were other contributory factors and whether there was a cover-up to prevent investigation of them, making convenient scapegoats of the signalmen.

The Transcontinental Railroad(en)

Documentary filmmakers offer a fascinating look at one of the most spectacular engineering feats of the 19th Century as the story of the Transcontinental Railroad comes to life in a film that's sure to appeal to historians and railroad enthusiasts alike. As legions of tireless workers toiled for six years to realize the vision of shady entrepreneurs and imaginative engineers, the remarkable railway dream slowly became a reality. But not everyone was so pleased with the remarkable achievement. Despite the devastating effect that the tremendous transportation breakthrough would have on the Native American population, the lasting impact of the Transcontinental Railroad on the politics and culture of a rapidly expanding country would forever mark it as an invaluable component of the American success story.

Vi som planerar tågtrafiken(sv)

First Thursday of each month, the members of Stockholm's model railroad club meet and run their beloved trains on a schedule. The trains pass towns such as Bångfors and Farsarvet. Sometimes, a delay occurs, which then spreads throughout the network.

The Seattle-Tacoma Interurban Railway(en)

This rich, historical documentary captures the story of the high-speed, electric transit system that sparked the growth and development of Puget Sound's twin cities during the first quarter of the 20th century.

Continental Divide(en)

Filmed in 1987, this documentary chronicles the journey of Via Rail's The Canadian as it makes its way across Canada.

EMD at 100(en)

For a century, EMD has built the majority of diesel locomotives in North America and the world. Noted videographer Rich Luckin looks at this builder's origins, growth and development, supremacy, and its role today as an arm of Progress Rail. This documentary includes the history of EMD, exclusive footage at the Indiana plant, many interviews with employees, and more!

Railwaymen(cs)

A short documentary about the work of railwaymen and life on the railway.

Learning to Steam(en)

Arfon spent a week on the Great Central Railway finding out everything a trainee footplate member needs to know. Starting at the bottom, just as a real trainee would have done on BR, Arfon first becomes a cleaner then gradually progresses up the ladder with ex-Fireman Ray Martin teaching him the art of firing. Ex-BR Driver Bill Gwilt then takes over to explain how to oil and prepare the loco followed by how to drive. Arfon then takes the controls of Clun Castle in charge of a seven coach “express” running from Loughborough Central to Rothley. If you have ever wondered how a steam engine works or how they are maintained or driven, this best selling video is for you.

The Road Taken(en)

This 1996 documentary takes a nostalgic ride through history to present the experiences of Black sleeping-car porters who worked on Canada's railways from the early 1900s through the 1960s. There was a strong sense of pride among these men and they were well-respected by their community. Yet, harsh working conditions prevented them from being promoted to other railway jobs until finally, in 1955, porter Lee Williams took his fight to the union.

On Denniston(en)

Eighth Wonder of the Industrial World

À l'horizon des événements(fr)

Gare du Nord station. Everything goes so fast. Except this train, which is already disappearing...

Under Night Streets(en)

After the last train at night and before the first in the morning, 800 people are hard at work behind the scenes making London's Underground fit to travel on. Including brushing dust from ventilation ducts, ‘fluffers’ cleaning up rubbish, routine rail replacement and fixing a broken rail discovered at 3.30am.

Depot Asmara(en)

A film that excavates layers of myth and memory, on an ancient Eritrean steam railway, to learn the elusive truth about Eritrea, its war-ridden history, and at the core of it all, a deep friendship that keeps it all going.

Le Dragon de Fer(fr)

Volume 90 - Woodhead Remembered(en)

A video for electric traction fans. Not entirely, for steam was seen occasionally on the route especially west of Dinting, But this is the story of ·the 1500v dc system across the Pennines from Sheffield to Manchester. Filmed mainly in the 1960’s, you will see the EM1’s and EM2’s as they were in their green livery as much as they were in blue towards the end. Passenger services are there throughout the route. Class 506 units are seen on the Glossop service and there is coverage of the EM2 class in Holland. All told a pretty comprehensive film of this period of electrification on an ex-LNER line. One day it may reopen again although not at 1500v dc!

Volume 129 - Steam into Cornwall(en)

Jim Clemens Collection No.22. An archive film of mainly steam on the lines of Cornwall including Western and Southern motive power. We follow the Great Western main line from SALTASH to PENZANCE, viewing the major stations en route including LISKEARD, TRURO, PAR, CHACEWATER, GWINEAR ROAD, St. ERTH and PENZANCE. There are visits to the LOOE, HELSTON, FALMOUTH, NEWQUAY and St. IVES branches and a visit to PAR HARBOUR for industrial steam and to NEWLYN harbour with narrow gauge diesels. BODMIN to WADEBRIDGE and PADSTOW on the Southern, including T9s. A 1960s visit to the FOREST RAILROAD at DOBWALLS near Liskeard. A complete journey on the last steam to Penzance, the CORNUBIAN tour of May 1964 with a 28xx and a West Country pacific.

Volume 136 - Steam to North Wales(en)

An archive programme of the CREWE to HOLYHEAD route via CHESTER and BANGOR. Filmed from 1960 to 1967 with occasional 1980’s visits from preserved steam locomotives providing a contrast. Motive power is mainly London Midland Region with Western Region at Chester. Branches from the route include BIRKENHEAD via HOOTON, the DYSERTH branch from PRESTATYN, DENBIGH from MOLD and RHYL, BLAEANAU FFESTINIOG and TRAWSFYNDD from LLANDUDNO JUNCTION and the AMLYCH branch. The PORT PENRHYN slate quarries to BETHESDA and DINORWIC system are also seen with narrow gauge locomotives. Locations visited include CREWE, CHESTER, SALTNEY JUNCTION, FLINT, TALACRE, RHYL, ABERGELE, LLANDUDNO, LLANDUDNO JUNCTION, BANGOR, MENAI BRIDGE and HOLYHEAD. Motive power includes Princess Coronations, Royal Scots, Jubilees, Britannias, Black 5s, 8Fs, Standard Classes and early diesels of Class 40 and 47, usually in green livery.

Volume 138 - Cambrian Coast Route Part 4(en)

A video covering the last section of the route of the CAMBRIAN COAST EXPRESS from ABERYSTWYTH to PWLLHELI and what could be seen in the area from the 1950s to the 1980s. We cover four narrow gauge railways, the Vale of Rheidol, the Talyllyn, the Welsh Highland (1964) and the Ffestiniog, and two miniature railways, the Fairbourne and Butlins, Pwllheli. We even cover the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway! The coast route would see steam and diesel motive power but this film is mainly steam with Standard Classes 4MT, Class 2MT, Class 3 2-6-2Ts and Class 4 2-6-4Ts, GWR 43xx 2-6-0s and Manor Class 4-6-0s, Ivatt 2MTs and even Class 4. The picture is completed by the reopening of Barmouth Bridge in 1986 and Electric Electric Class 37s.