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Steam Age Pictures Volume 35

GWR 175, Part 1: February - June 2010

Steam Age Pictures Volume 36

GWR 175 Part 2 : July - October 2010

On two discs, a record of the mainline events that marked the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway.

In Part 1: 11 tours including the record-breaking Bristolian, 9600 banking Lizzie on the Lickey Incline and Steam Dreams’ 2 day Cornish Riviera Express.

Featuring 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5972 Olton Hall, 5029 Nunney Castle, 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe, 6024 King Edward I, pannier tank 9600, 6201 Princess Elizabeth, 70013 Oliver Cromwell & D1015 Western Champion.

In Part 2: 11 tours including the first mainline tour to visit the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Nunney Castle climbing Evershot and Bincombe banks unassisted and 5043’s record breaking run over
the Settle-Carlisle line.

Featuring 5029 Nunney Castle, 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe, 6024 King Edward I, pannier tanks 9466 & 9600 and 5960 Leander.

What counts as a “GWR 175” tour? There are 3 “interlopers” on Part 1. 70013 deserves its place as a representative of the BR standard locos, which were common on the Western Region, and three quarters of the route on 1st May was in GW territory. 6201 was designed by Swindon-trained William Stannier, and is seen by some as the GWR pacific that Swindon never built. The Red Dragon was run over GW metals, as was most of The Britannia Banker, which also has to be included because of the part played by 9600. Likewise, there are 3 inclusions in Part 2 that may need explanation. The Severn Valley Limited is included because most of the route was over GW metals and the part played by 9600. It and The North Wales Explorer are examples of inter-regional holiday excursions. The Pride of Swindon was run a very long way from GW territory, but how could we not include a tour with such a name?

As usual, a couple of excerpts are available on YouTube:

Part 1
Part 2

Both volumes are now available on 1080-line, true high definition Blu-Ray Disc, priced £15 each.

Special Offer: Buy one, get the other half price. £15 for both DVDs or £22.50 for both Blu-ray Discs.

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 33

The Great Britain III, Part 1: 6th - 10th April 2010

Steam Age Pictures Volume 34

The Great Britain III, Part 2: 11th - 14th April 2010

On two discs, the whole story of a remarkable 9-day tour of Great Britain.

The formula for this third grand tour of Great Britain was very similar to its predecessors, but in the days before the start, loco availability and the threat of a strike by signallers forced a number of late changes. Although the tour didn’t visit Penzance, Shrewsbury or Dumfries, and 30777 Sir Lamiel, 34067 Tangmere, 6100 Royal Scot and 46115 Scots Guardsman couldn’t take part, there were some very acceptable substitutes. Day three included a double-headed run up the Lickey Incline, 44871 worked from Plymouth to Stranraer over four days, and 6201 Princess Elizabeth hauled the penultimate leg from Edinburgh to York. Most notable was 70013 Oliver Cromwell, which hauled the train from Plymouth to Inverness and back to Edinburgh on five out of seven days. Passengers renamed the tour “The Great Britannia” in Ollie’s honour!

In Part 1: London to Bristol, Plymouth, the Devon banks, the Lickey Incline, Birmingham, Preston, Shap, Carlisle, Beattock, Glasgow, Ayr and Stranraer. Featuring 5029 Nunney Castle, Black Fives 44871 & 45407, and 70013 Oliver Cromwell. 1 hour 27 mins.
In Part 2: Glasgow to Perth, Montrose, Aberdeen, Inverness, Kyle Of Lochalsh, Slochd, Aviemore, Drumochter, Edinburgh, Berwick, York and back to London. Featuring 70013 Oliver Cromwell, 61994 The Great Marquess, 6201 Princess Elizabeth, and 60019 Bittern. 1 hour 27 mins.

Have a look at some excerpts from this production on YouTube:

Part 1
Part 2

Both volumes are now available on a 1080-line, true high definition Blu-Ray Disc, priced £15 each.
Special Offer: Buy one, get the other half price. £15 for both DVDs or £22.50 for both Blu-ray Discs.
 

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 32

Mainline 2009, LNER Pacifics

The newest locomotive on the British railway network in 2009 was a steam loco! 60163 Tornado took 18 years to build and cost £3 million, and has become as well known as her great predecessors Flying Scotsman and Mallard. This programme shows her at work during her first year on the mainline, and includes the Royal Train, The Torbay Express, The Talisman, BBC Top Gear’s “Race to the North” and 12 other mainline tours, as well her visit to the Severn Valley Railway in October. For good measure, we include 25 minutes of 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and 60019 Bittern as well. 1 hour 42 minutes.

Have a look at some excerpts from this production on YouTube

A 1080-line, true high definition version of this programme available NOW on Blu-Ray Disc, priced £15.

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 31

70013 Oliver Cromwell, Mainline 2009

Since returning to the mainline in August 2008, Oliver Cromwell has quickly established herself (all steam locomotives, like ships, are female) as a great favourite with enthusiasts and passengers. From Folkestone to Plymouth, from Poole to Carlisle, this volume records her progress around the country during the year. 1 hour 54 minutes.

Have a look at some excerpts from this production on YouTube

A 1080-line, true high definition version of this programme available NOW on Blu-Ray Disc, priced £15.

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 30

West Highlander 25th-27th September 2009

A three day trip, from Preston to Mallaig and back, hauled by Jubilee 5690 Leander, K4 61994 The Great Marquess and K1 62005. The route includes Shap and Beattock banks, the upper Clyde valley, the West Highland line past Loch Lomand and over County March summit, and the West Highland Extension to Mallaig, including Glenfinnan Viaduct. 1 hour 13 minutes.

A 1080-line, true high definition version of this programme available NOW on Blu-Ray Disc, priced £15.

Have a look at some excerpts from this production on YouTube

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 29

Well Tank Charter, 5th-6th October 2007

Two days in the company of the two surviving Beattie "Well Tank" locos on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Martin Creese of 30742 Charters organised two days of photographic charters and we were blessed with marvellous weather.

For our charter, the B&W put together two short rakes of goods trucks, including five "clay hoods", the distinctive open wagons covered by grey tarpaulins used to transport china clay. Both days followed the same pattern. The train was shunted at Bodmin General station, ready for a 6 am departure to Boscarne junction. More shunting was followed by a series of runs from the station to the first cutting as the sun rose and, on Saturday, the mist cleared. After lunch at Bodmin General, we went to Bodmin Parkway where more shunting was followed by a couple of false departures. We moved to Dreason and Charlie's Gate for an hour or two before heading for home. Finally, the train was shunted out of the way, and the locos returned to the shed. 1 hour 13 minutes.

A 1080-line, true high definition version of this programme available NOW on Blu-Ray Disc, priced £15.

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 28

The Great Britain II

The Railway Touring Company ran its second marathon tour of Britain in April 2009: London to Penzance, Bristol, Shrewsbury, Carlisle, Glasgow, Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and finally York; nine days of steam haulage by Tangmere, Oliver Cromwell, Scots Guardsman, The Great Marquess, two Black Fives and Union of South Africa. With three cameramen contributing footage, Steam Age Pictures got pretty comprehensive coverage. The hardest part was editing it all down to just 90 minutes. You can see a few highlights on YouTube:

Part 1: Penzance - Glasgow
Part 2: Glasgow - Kyle - York
 

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 27

NRM Mainline Steam In The South

Having seen The Hero's Return (Steam age Pictures Volume 17), about 850 Lord Nelson, the South Of England group of the Friends Of The National Railway museum asked for a disc that they could sell on NRM locomotives' rail tours. This is the result. It covers 777 Sir Lamiel, 850 Lord Nelson and 70013 Oliver Cromwell at work on the British mainline mostly, but not entirely, in the South of England. You might prefer to buy your copy directly from the Friends, in which case have a look at their web site: http://www.nrmfriends.org.uk/
 

Mainline Albums 2008

 
 

	Volume 23: Mainline Album 2008, Part 1: LMS & BR Locomotives (1 hour 29 mins)  Featuring 8F 48151, Black 5s 45407 & 45231, 5690 Leander, 6201 Princess Elizabeth, 6233 Duchess Of Sutherland, 70013 Oliver Cromwell and BR Standard 4 76079. Includes the “15 Guinea Special” re-run.
	Volume 24: Mainline Album 2008, Part 2: GWR Locomotives (1 hour 18 mins)  Featuring 4936 Kinlet Hall, 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5029 Nunney Castle, 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgecumbe and 6024 King Edward I.
	Volume 25: Mainline Album 2008, Part 3: SR Locomotives (1 hour 22 mins)  Featuring 35028 Clan Line, 34067 Tangmere and 30777 Sir Lamiel, plus a cameo appearance by GWR 2-8-0T 5239.
	Volume 26: Mainline Album 2008, Part 4: LNER & BR Pacific Locomotives. (1 hour 28 mins)  Featuring 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, 60009 Union Of South Africa, 60019 Bittern, 70013 Oliver Cromwell and 71000 Duke Of Gloucester, plus Black 5 45407 working The North Briton with 60009.

Steam Age Pictures Volume 22

Plandampf In The Weratal

Steam Age Pictures Volume 21

Mainline Album 1997 - 8

Mainline Albums 2007

 

	Volume 18: Main Line Album 2007, Part 1: Tangmere (1 hour 11 mins).  It came as quite a surprise to discover how much footage of Tangmere I amassed during the year. From triumphs like the 40th anniversary of  the Southern steam and the sure-footed restart on the 1-in-80 gradient at Sherborne, to less glorious moments, such as stalling on the Paignton & Dartmouth Rly with the Torbay Express, this programme shows Tangmere’s ability to go almost anywhere and haul almost anything, week in, week out. My personal favourite is The Holiday Express: Tangmere and 6024 King Edward I double-headed a tour from Bristol to Par in Cornwall. The light was gorgeous all day, the two locomotives made a fine sight and an exciting noise, and I finally got to take a picture of a steam train crossing the Royal Albert Bridge.
	Volume 19: Main Line Album 2007, Part 2: GW, BR & SR Locomotives (1 hour 25 mins).  Plenty of variety, with 7 GW locos, 2 BR Standards and 2 Southern locos. Highlights include Bradley Manor’s last mainline trips, 6024 and 5051 double-heading, fantastic glints from 9466 and 35028, Duke of Gloucester setting new standards on the South Devon Banks, and Sir Lamiel making a night departure from Salisbury. My personal favourite? Clan Line climbing Parkstone Bank, from a standing start at Poole, pulling 13 carriages and an EWS diesel, then roaring through Basingstoke, whistle open, really takes some beating!
	Volume 20: Main Line Album 2007, Part 3: LMS & LNER Locomotives (1 hour 18 mins).  Only five locomotives here, and some longer views than normal, thanks to the wide open spaces of the Pennines and the Vale of York. Centre piece is a 30 minute sequence dedicated to 60009 Union Of South Africa. She is seen on the Settle & Carlisle line, working from York to Harrogate and Scarborough and on two tours in the south. Also included are 6233 on Southern and Western metals, 6201 on the Welsh Marches route, 48151 working The Dalesman and 60019 Bittern’s midnight test run.

Steam Age Pictures Volume 17

In August 2006, 80 years after she was built, and a few weeks after she was renamed by HRH The Princess Royal, 850 left Eastleigh Works in light steam, towed by an EWS diesel, bound for the West Somerset Railway for running-in and a staring role at their Autumn Steam Gala. At the end of the year, she moved to the East Lancs. Railway in preparation for a main line test run, which finally happened on March 7th 2007 (after another Steam Gala appearence on the ELR). Her first public main line tour was "The Trafalgar Express" from Minehead to Eastleigh on 31st March. She went on to work 10 more mainline tours before her untimely (but thankfully temporary) withdrawal with firebox problems almost exactly a year after she left Eastleigh Works.

This volume includes coverage of most of the events mentioned above: the departure from Eastleigh, WSR Autumn and Spring galas, East Lancs. winter gala, the test run, the stop-over at Didcot and light engine movement to Minehead and 8 of her 11 main-line tours.

Running time 63 mins approx. All proceeds donated to Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society.

Steam Age Pictures Volume 16

There must have been something good in the air in 1999, judging by the number of golden glints I recorded during the year. (The old Panasonic Super-VHS camera does make the most of that sort of lighting.) It was a bumper harvest of locomotives, some of which, e.g. 31625, 45110 and 48773, I have not seen on the main line since. I didn't need to travel very far, either. There are only a couple of shots from north of Birmingham or west of Bristol.

Highlights include 8F 48773 unassisted on the Lickey Bank, Canadian Pacific (in blue) at Southampton Docks, Green Arrow in the West Country, 80079 around Bristol and banking 45110 on the Lickey, Flying Scotsman's return to traffic after her £0.75 million overhaul (including the test run in grey undercoat), Rood Ashton Hall's first main line run, King Edward I in trouble on a long tour to Bournemouth, and long sequences of 73096 and Clan Line.

Running time 1 hour 30 mins approx.

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 15

The Great Britain Rail Tour

The tour took 9 days, from Good Friday 6th April to Saturday 14th April, and used 7 steam locomotives, mostly over routes that they worked in steam days: 71000 Duke Of Gloucester, 5051 Earl Bathurst, 6024 King Edward I, 6233 Duchess Of Sutherland, 60009 Union Of South Africa, 61994 The Great Marquess, and LMS 8F 48151. Starting from London, it visited Bristol, Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter, Abergavenny, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Chester, Preston, Carlisle, Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, Inverness, Kyle Of Lochalsh and Thurso. Along the way it climbed some of the most famous (notorious?) banks in the country, including Hemerdon, Dainton, Llanvihangle, Shap, Beattock, Druimuachdar, Slochd, Luib and County March. 1 hour 21 minutes.

Steam Age Pictures Volume 14

The Wolsztyn Experience, Nov. 2007

A group of friends spent a week driving and firing steam locos working everyday services on Polish Railways. I went along with my camera to record some of the goings on, and this programme is the result.

Running time 1 hour 15 mins approx.

(By the way, in case you are worried that you have missed something, Vol. 13 is a short programme produced for some MNLPS members to show when giving presentations)

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Steam Age Pictures Volumes 11 & 12

 
 

	Main Line Album 2006, Part 1: LMS & BR Locos All the locos are red or black - apart from 71000 Duke of Gloucester! Highlights include 6233 Duchess of Sutherland in Surrey and Westmoreland, 5690 Leander on the Lickey, BR Standard Class 4 76079 on the Cambrian Coast, and 6201 Princess Elizabeth at Whiteball, Dainton and Rattery in fabulous sunshine! (on Volume 11. Approx. run time 73 mins)
	Main Line Album 2006, Part 2: GWR, LNER & SR Locos Here are the rest of the green ones! 30777 Sir Lamiel "up North", 35028 Clan Line's test run run and first VSOE tour, 850 Lord Nelson leaving Eastleigh, 34067 Tangmere at Littlehampton, 6024 King Edward I on the GWR main line, two Halls on the Lickey and Green Arrow on the East Coast Main Line. (On Volume 12. Approx. run time 57 mins)
	Sunny Days on the Bluebell Railway I made two visits to the Bluebell during 2006. On both occasions the sun shone all day. Here are the results.  (On Volume 12. Approx. run time 28 mins)

Steam Age Pictures Volume 10

Main Line Album 2000

2000 was a transition year, being the last year that I was using a Super-VHS camera, and I don't consider it to be a vintage year, exactly. From a technical point-of-view, I was struggling with different microphones that were either not picking up much sound or else were picking up too much camera and handling noise. I have cleaned the audio up a bit where necessary (but hopefully not so much that it sounds unnatural). From a personal point-of-view, I was busy with other things and many tours passed unrecorded. Also, there are one or two shots that I have included because they are of historical interest rather than great artistic merit. However, there were some true high points as well, not least Bodmin’s return to the main line in June, Blue Peter’s run over the Devon Banks in July and my move to a digital video camera in November. I have put the Digital footage towards the end. I think you'll notice the improvement in picture quality!

Steam On The Met, 1992 - 2000
Most years between 1990 and 2000, London Underground opened a section of the Metropolitan Line between Watford, Rickmansworth and Amersham to steam for a weekend of special trains. These were run to a frequent schedule amongst the regular Underground electric and Chiltern Railways DMU services and were driven and fired by volunteer crews.

Running time 70 mins approx.

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 9

Main Line Album 2002

This programme completes the back-log of digital footage (apart from last 2 months of 2000), and it was a vintage year. Star of the show, with nearly 28 minutes all to herself, is 35005 Canadian Pacific. We see her on Steam Dreams crew training specials at Easter and on a number of Cathedrals Express runs. The supporting cast includes 6024 King Edward I, three different Halls, Black 5 45407, 60009 Union of South Africa, 4472 Flying Scotsman and a rare appearance from B1 61264.
Mid Hants Album 2002
Loco Trials: 34016 Bodmin and 6024 King Edward I get to grips with 9 coach trains on the 1-in-60 gradients during the summer gala.
An Autumn Day on The Watercress Line: "Mickey Mouse" 2MT tank 41312 assists 35005 with the Green Train early one morning, and 34016 and 41312 run the normal service trains, including The Countryman.

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 8

Main Line Album 2005

What can one say about 71000 Duke Of Gloucester? She flattened Upwey, Parkstone, Honiton, Sherborne and Upton Scudamore banks, toying with her 11- and 12-coach loads. On more level ground, she cruised along at 75 for mile after mile with little apparent effort. But she wasn't alone: 34067 Tangmere took care of VSOE business again, and also visited Bournemouth and Winchester; Black Fives 45231 and 45305 and Jubilee 5690 Leander returned to main-line duties; 5029 Nunney Castle bowed out; 6024 King Edward I put up consistently good performances all year; 60009 Union of South Africa went up the Midland main-line on a perfect autumn morning; 4472 Flying Scotsman flew down to Didcot with a couple of Sunday Lunch specials. There are also brief appearances from 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5051 Earl Bathurst and 34027 Taw Valley.
After the main program, I have included a split-screen comparison of 6024 and 5029 over the same stretch of track on the approach to Sapperton Tunnel, filmed from almost the same spot, three months apart. I won't tell you who wins...!
(approx. running time: 82 minutes)

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 7

A Profile of 35028 Clan Line

More from the archive, both S-VHS and Digital: Merchant Navy class 4-6-2, 35028 Clan Line at work on the main line between 1990 and 2001, plus an afternoon spent at Southall depot with members of the MNLPS.

(approx. running time: 63 minutes)

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 6

Main Line Album 2003

Star performer of 2003 was the Mid Hants Railway's Standard 5, 73096, which was the main stay of the Cathedrals Express and Daylight Limited services. Other highlights: Tangmere returned to the main line (several times!), Flying Scotsman was a regular performer on VSOE Pullman excursions, Princess Elizabeth returned to Euston, Nunney Castle enjoyed perfect weather in February, and 9600 bowed out of mainline work.

(approx. running time: 85 minutes)

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Steam Age Pictures Volume 5

Programme 1: Main Line Album 2004

The undoubted star of 2004 was GWR 4-4-0 no. 3440, City Of Truro. She gets two long sequences all to herself, one from the late spring/early summer, and one from the winter. Also: Tangmere delighted me on a series VSOE Pullman trains via Oxford to Worcester; The MHR's Standard Five once again punched well above her weight (see, for example, her climb through Chalford to Sapperton); The King and the Duke returned after overhaul; Nunney Castle struggled with 10 coaches on the climb to Tytherington Quarry; Taw Valley roared up Upwey bank as she turned a 30 minute late departure from Weymouth into a right-time departure from Eastleigh. All this and Union of South Africa, Flying Scotsman and Rood Ashton Hall too!
(Running time: 57 mins)

Programme 2: Mid Hants South Western Gala, 2004

I spent a day trying to dodge the showers (not always successfully, as you'll see!) to record three visiting tank engines:

The NRM’s LSWR Beattie 2-4-0WT 30587;
LBSC Stroudley A1x “Terrier” 0-6-0 from the Kent & East Sussex Railway;
Port Talbot Railway 0-6-0ST 813 from the Severn Valley.
The MHR’s own BR Standard class 5, 73096, makes an appearance too.
(Running time: 7 mins)

Programme 3: City of Truro, 1990 - 92

The last time that 3440 toured the country was between 1990 and 1992. Here are a few shots from my Super-VHS archive:

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway gala, 14th October 1990;
Severn Valley Railway gala, 21st September 1991;
Main line trip from Derby to Didcot, 3rd May 1992.
(Running time: 9 mins)

Steam Age Pictures Volumes 3 & 4

China Railtour 2004 - Part 2: JingPeng Steam Swan Song

Note for North American and Japanese viewers: Both China Railtour volumes are available in NTSC standard (DVD only). Please get in touch.

China Railtour 2004 - Part 1

Steam Age Pictures Volume 2

Programme 1: Mid Hants Railway Gala, Sept. 2003

Featuring four visiting engines: 34081 "92 Squadron", 473 "Birch Grove", 60009 "Union of South Africa" and BR Standard 4 tank 80104, as well as MHR's Ivatt 2-6-2T 41312 and converted Austerity "Douglas".

Approx. running time: 28 mins

Programme 2: Bluebell Railway Gala, Feb. 2002

Featured classes: Wainwright O2, Stroudley A1x Terriers, Billinton E4 Radial, Adams B4, Riddles Std 4,

Approx. running time: 27 mins
 

Programme 3: Profile of S15 E828

Archive footage of this Really Useful Engine at work on the mainline between 1993 and 1997, and on the Swanage Railway in July 1998.

Approx. running time: 37 mins

Steam Age Pictures Volume 1

Programme 1: Main Line Annual 2001

Highlights include double-headed Halls and Panniers in the snow, Clan Line's last trip before overhaul, and Duchess of Sutherland in Devon.

Approx. running time: 43 mins
 

Programme 2: Well Tank Weekend

In April 2003, the Bodmin and Wenford Railway launched Beattie well tank no. 30587 into public service with a weekend of special trains. The weather was perfect, and the little engine is simply gorgeous!

Approx. running time: 42 mins

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this page updated 01/08/2012