Description

This is a second offering of Douglas Haines’ 16-mm film, following on from his highly successful programme of the lines south of Birmingham and the Lickey in Volume 27 (South Midland Steam Memories Dvd). We take a look at the railway scene in the early sixties when steam and the occasional first generation diesel worked these routes. The Fells of England once reverberated to the sounds of the steam locomotive working hard transporting passengers and freight between England and Scotland. This programme begins with some early views on the Lickey and Hatton banks before journeying to the Settle & Carlisle route via Uttoexter. Workings at Gargrave and Dent follow, leading to some superb views at Ais Gill where steam and Peak class diesels hauled trains over the summit, in the early sixties when Jubilee, Royal Scot, A3 and Clan classes worked alongside Crab, 4F, and 8F over the Pennines. More variety of motive power such as the Pacifics of classes Clan and A3, mingle with Jubilees, 4Fs and WDs on the route through Cotehill and Lazonby before arrival at Carlisle. Cumbrian steam includes Maryport, the Keswick branch and early days on the Ravenglass line. Early scenes on the Ravenglass & Eskdale railway in Cumbria lead, via Workington to Shap Incline. Shap Incline was always a good location for engines working hard in superb countryside and the last Duchess Pacifics and Scots work alongside the recently introduced English Electric Type 4 diesels with some spectacular views of banked freight trains. Workings preclude the more usual sightings of 1967 with long freights banked by the Standards 4’s. As with Volume 27 (South Midland Steam Memories Dvd), a tripod was used for steadiness of picture and most views are of sufficient length that one does not feel rushed from one sequence to another.

Additional information