Writing
Through the forward-looking windows of the new diesel multiple-unit trains reveals a new world of signs, signals and railway sights to those who ride behind the driver. For children, particularly, find this is a fascinating experience. This film communicates something of their excitement and wonder as well as some of the wry, un-conscious humour with which their pertinent and amusing questions and comments are so often interlerded.
Based on instructional material, this film explains the preparation and procedures for the operation of a then modern AC electric locomotive, also taking in diesel haulage and shots of steam traction. The opening sequence features an early use of the double-arrow BR logo.
Southampton's role as a major cargo centre, showing cargo operations at the deep water quays and in the modern transit sheds.
England is eighteen hours behind you and the Leda is in sight of Bergen. Your shipboard reverie is about to become reality. The fjords, glaciers and waterfalls, with the lovely melodies of Edward Grieg to reflect the changing moods of western Norway. Produced by British Transport Films in association with the Bergen Steamship Company.
When Joe Miller breaks his ankle on the shop floor, he is sent with some trepidation to the British Railways rehab centre, a cross between a modern gym and an old-school metalwork classroom.
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.
People will always need transport and transport will always need people. Addressed particularly to boys of school-leaving age and to young men completing their period of military service, this film shows some of the wide variety of careers which British Transport has to offer, whether in railways or in the docks, on the orads or on Britain's inland waterways. The good transport worker combines individual initiative with teamwork, and the work of the transport team is vital to the nation.
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.
This film shows us a world of wildlife and flowers and scenic beauty within easy reach of London - where people can enjoy yachting on the Thames, or archery at Sevenoaks; riding in Knole Park, or morris-dancing at Westerham; walking over the hills near Newlands Corner, or cricket on the green at Cookham; where they can admire a wealth of historic buildings both large and small - Windsor Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, Farnham Keep, the Dickens' houses at Rochester, the Roman ruins at Verulamium; or they can just sit in the sun while the children play.
A freight train travelling between Kirkby and Barnard Castle has become snowbound in the Westmoreland hills. The Motive Power, Operating and Engineering Departments go to work with snowploughs to reach the trapped train.
A tour of East Anglia, with its waterways and low-lying country.
The transporting of a distillation colurm, 137 feet long, 500 miles by road from Greenwich to Grangemouth in Scotland. The commentary, spoken by the rigger in charge and one of the tractor drivers, expresses the humour and resourcefulness with which these transport workers tackle their job; and the camera has captured moments of beauty as well as some amusing episodes in this journey of the longest load to travel by road in Britain.
The history of the BRS (British Road Services), the general haulage network of the UK. Part of BFI collection "Points and Aspects."
‘St Christopher’s - for the children of Railway Servants’. About a hundred children are cared for at this Derby railway orphanage and this film gives a selection of scenes from a typical day: the breakfast mail, a boy with a problem, a girl with a worry, a visit from two widowers, a birthday tea party. An official insight into a forgotten aspect of railway operation.
A 200-ton transformer is moved by road from Hayes, Middlesex, to Iver, Bucks. Behind the story of the journey there is another tale: the problems which had to be solved before the task could be undertaken. This background story is told by the voices of those responsible for the various aspects of the operation, until the transformer is placed within a 'bee's wing' of its intended position.
A random selection of housewives around the UK take a day off from their traditional domestic chores.
The operation of the London Transport central Lost Property Office at Baker Street. Collected in BFI's "London on the Move."
Short documentary hymning the wonders of 'modernisation' on the railways.
