Signal Box Archive

Spains Worst Rail Disaster(en)

Das Zugunglück von Radevormwald – Leben mit der Katastrophe(de)

May 27th, 1971 was a rainy day. In the small town Radevormwald, the world seems to be still in order. But on this day, 46 people die in a train crash, amongst them 41 schoolchildren. Since then, Radevormwald has been connected with one of the worst railway catastrophes of Germany. The touching documentary reconstructs the tragedy and shows how much the event still influences the life in the town until today.

One-Way Ticket(es)

Documentary about how the arrival of the railway industry impacted Puerto Rican culture economically, socially, and humanistically during the first half of the 20th century. It includes photos by Jack Delano, among others, and scenarios to reconstruct the experience of what could have been the last trip made by train from San Juan to Ponce in 1953.

Elizabethan Express(en)

Originally intended as an advertising short, this film follows The Elizabethan, a non-stop British Railways service from London to Edinburgh along the East Coast Main Line. A nostalgic record of the halcyon years of steam on British Railways and the ex-LNER Class A4.

Train Time(en)

A short documentary about the transportation of goods and livestock by train around the UK.

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.

Railwaymen(cs)

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

Cavalcade of San Francisco(en)

This Traveltalk series short celebrates San Francisco, past and present.

ICE - Der neue Zug(de)

Short documentary about the new ICE. On March 19, 1985, the ICE was officially handed over to the Bundesbahn at Krupp in Essen during a rollout ceremony attended by invited guests, experts and media representatives.

Gare du Nord : La Plus Grande Gare d'Europe(fr)

Trains: Two Centuries of Innovation(fr)

Nearly 200 years ago, the train revolutionized our lives. It redrew the maps of states and nations, and changed concepts of distance and time like no other invention before. What visionaries imagined the development of the railroad? How did we get from the first chugging locomotives to the smooth giants of speed we see today? How does France's extensive rail network keep running smoothly, 24/7?

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.

TGV, génie français du rail(fr)

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.

Tshiuetin(fr)

Take a breathtaking train a ride through Nothern Quebec and Labrador on Canada’s first First Nations-owned railway. Come for the celebration of the power of independence, the crucial importance of aboriginal owned businesses and stay for the beauty of the northern landscape.

She's a Railroader(en)

Karen Zaitchik jumps on and off moving boxcars, throws switches, pulls brakes and uncouples freights with ease and confidence. She's a railroader for CN and that's what this 21-year-old highly individualistic woman wants out of life for the moment. This colourful short film shows how Karen manages in the traditionally male world of the railroad.

Empty Harbours, Empty Dreams(en)

The film explores how the three British colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island became provinces of Canada and charts the subsequent decline of their economies after Confederation. Photographs, archival drawings, cartoons and interviews with Maritime historians are used to document the case.

OVERHEIGHT MUST TURN(en)

For the past ten years, Jürgen Henn has filmed over-height trucks crashing into the 11foot8 train bridge affectionately nicknamed the "Can Opener." In that time, millions have viewed the crashes online. Regional, national, and international news organizations have dined out on the story and the goofy crash reels. But why do motorists continue to crash despite the many warnings, sensors, and signs? And what is it about these crashes that holds our attention? In this piece, we look for the humanity in human error.

New Horizons(en)

Production for the Seaboard Railroad company outlining their railroad activities in the 1940s and heading into the 1950s

Mainline U.S.A.(en)

A documentary on the railroads of America produced by the Association of American Railroads