British Transport Collection
Volume 1 – On Rail Highlight Blue Pullman Industry sponsored film, 26 min, 1960 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Produced by) Mckeand, David (Unit Production Manager)
Information film dealing with the new Manchester - St. Pancras Diesel Pullman train. (Synopsis)
Subjects: British Rail Blue Pullman Restaurant cars Manchester Central Station St Pancras railway station
Cybernetica 20 min, 1972 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Sims, Peter (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer (Paris) ([Produced] For) With: Aspel, Michael
The use of computers in various aspects of railway operations; promotion of rail travel advantages. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Computers Rail transport
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Highlight Elizabethan Express Travelogue, 20 min, 1954 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Thompson, Tony (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Garrett, Jim (Unit Production Manager) With: Marion-Crawford, Howard - Wheatley, Alan
Account of journey by The Elizabethan Express train, from London to Edinburgh. Notes: The 393 mile journey between stations was covered by this train in record breaking times during the age of steam. The film also shows maintainance activity and what the British Transport Catalogue describes as 'exciting footplate sequences [that] are probably unique'. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Elizabethan Express Railway journeys Steam trains
Introduction to the Diesel Train, An 7 min, 1959 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) RCA Sound System (Sound System)
Instructional film on driving diesel trains.
Subjects: Diesel trains Dieselisation (railways)
On Track for the Eighties Industry sponsored film, 15 min, 1980 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Legard, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Ritchie, James (Produced by) With: Hawkins, Peter
A review of innovation and development within British Rail and its businesses, including: modernisation of freight facilities and service to new customers; progress of the Bedford-St Pancras electrification project; paved track and permanent way maintenance; Sealink's `Galloway's Princess', Seaspeed's SRN4, and the Research department's magnetically levitated vehicle. (Synopsis)
Subjects: British Rail Sealink Seaspeed Electrification (railways) Rail maintenance
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Highlight Rail 150 Documentary, 15 min, 1975 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Craigen, Ronald (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Cole, Lionel (Producer) With: Duncan, Frank
Highlights the Grand Steam Cavalcade held at Shildon, on the Stockton and Darlington line, on 31 August 1975, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the world's first public passenger steam railway. Intended for general audiences (Synopsis)
Subjects: Steam trains Commemorations Stockton on Tees
Highlight Train Time Documentary, 30 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Shearman, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Garrett, Jim (Unit Manager) With: Duncan, Frank - Carter, Wilfrid
Documentary showing 24 hours in the life of British Railways and the work of officials in getting passenger and freight trains to their destinations on time. One of the first BT films to be given a commercial cinema release. It describes a day with the operating department of the newly formed British Railways. All the staff are seen performing their normal duties -- with the help of prompt sheets ... though the interfering Mr Calloway is played by actor Wilfrid Carter. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Train timetables Rail transport British Rail
Volume 1 – Off Rail Day of One's Own, A Documentary, 20 min, 1956 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Fairbairn, Kenneth (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Cooper, Ken (Assistant Director) With: Stone, Marianne - Hobley, McDonald
A random selection of housewives around the country take a day off from their traditional domestic chores. (Synopsis)
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Subjects: Trips Outdoor recreation Durham (city) Housewives Women's Institute
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Great Highway, The Industry sponsored film, 21 min, 1966 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Baxter, R.K. Neilson (Directed by) Nicholls, Nick (Co-director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) With: Stockbridge, John - Denham, Maurice - Jack, Stephen
How the main lines between London, Crewe, Manchester and Liverpool have served the needs of population and industry since they were first conceived by George Stephenson and a comparison is made between the new achievements of electrification and the work of the railway pioneers. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Electrification (railways) Rail transport Great Britain
John Betjeman Goes by Train King's Lynn to Hunstanton Travelogue, 10 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Freegard, Malcolm (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) BBC TV East Anglia (In association with) With: Betjeman, John
A journey on the former branch line from King's Lynn to Hunstanton undertaken by the poet laureate and veteran railway enthusiast. He describes the (now closed) station at Wolferton in his usual inimitable manner. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Railway journeys East Anglia Norfolk
Highlight Snowdrift at Bleath Gill Documentary, 10 min, 1955 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Fairbairn, Kenneth (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Guyler, Deryck - Williams, Ben
The rescue of a freight train stuck in a heavy snowdrift between Barnard Castle and Kirkby Stephen in the Pennines. One of the most outstanding films of its kind, and a perennial favourite with the audience. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Stainmore Steam trains North York Moors Snow Emergency services
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Highlight This Is York Travelogue, 20 min, 1953 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Holmes, J.B. (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Crossland, Frank - McCarthy, Denis
Set in and around the ancient city of York, this film is mainly concerned with the arrivals and departures of trains at the main line station -- as seen through the eyes of the station master. One of the finest of the early productions, this widely screened film is directed by veteran Jack Holmes, and contains one of the unit's most inspired scores -- a veritable symphonic poem by the underrated Leighton Lucas. (Synopsis)
Subjects: York Railway stations Yorkshire Rail transport Rail-road vehicles
This Year - London Travelogue, 25 min, 1951 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Krish, John (Director) Holmes, J.B. (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer)
Cameras follow the staff of a Midland boot factory on their day off. The film shows the staff on the train journey to London and on a sight-seeing trip around the capital. Lunch is followed by an afternoon cruise on the Thames from Richmond to Hampton Court, with tea in the Tilt Yard. The day ends with a night in the West End. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London Works outings Trains Tourists Richmond upon Thames
Under the River Industry sponsored film, 27 min, 1959 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Baxter, R.K. Neilson (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Produced by) Meredith, Roy (Production Assistant)
An account of the construction of the Severn tunnel, and a record of the original pumping engines in operation seventy years later.
Subjects: Railway engineering Severn Tunnel Pumps Tunnels Tunnelling
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 2 – See Britain By Train Any Man's Kingdom Travelogue, 22 min, 1956 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Thompson, Tony (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Producer) With: Murray, Stephen
One of the most interesting and atmospheric of the travelogues produced by the company in the mid-1950s, this boasts an elegantly spoken narration by the much used Stephen Murray, and a disturbing score by Elisabeth Lutyens which, in its closing pages, brilliantly evokes the bleakness of the Northumberland moors. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Northumberland
Capital Visit A School Journey Travelogue, 20 min, 1955 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Sharples, Syd (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Producer) With: Duncan, Frank - Simons, William - Edmonds, Christine - headmaster, staff and children of Headless Cross School, Redditch, Worcestershire -
A party of schoolchildren spend three days in London, visiting the parks, museums, shops, the Tower of London, London airport, St. Paul's Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Greenwich and the Pool, and see the Changing of the Guard. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London School Children H.M. Tower of London St. Paul's Cathedral (City of London) Windsor Castle (train)
Highlight Coasts of Clyde, The Travelogue, 20 min, 1958 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) McAllister, Stewart (Producer) With: Braden, Bernard
Bernard Braden visits the Firth of Clyde in search of his Scots ancestry. He goes by steamer through some of the best scenery in Scotland. (Synopsis) -7- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Subjects: Scotland Clydeside Isle of Arran Steamers
Cyclists' Special Travelogue, 20 min, 1956 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
A trip in one of the special Sunday trains for cyclists from London to Rugby. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Railway journeys Rugby (town) London Railway stations Rail transport
East Anglian Holiday Travelogue, 20 min, 1954 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Clarke, Michael (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Ferguson, Ian (Associate Producer) Anstey, Edgar (Executive in Charge of Production) With: Duncan, Frank - George, Richard
The lushness of the countryside and coastline of Norfolk and Suffolk is beautifully illustrated in this look at the East Anglia of 45 years ago. (Synopsis)
England of Elizabeth, The 26 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Taylor, John (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Produced by) With: Clunes, Alec
A colourful and artistic pilgrimage through Elizabethan England. Stately homes, familiar pictures, furniture, china, music, and of course Shakespeare, are all used to evoke the spirit of a period and a tradition. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Elizabethan period Architecture Works of art Furniture
Glasgow Belongs to Me Travelogue, 17 min, 1965 -8- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Production: British Transport Films Credits: McConnell, Edward (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) IFA (Scotland) (In association with) Anstey, Edgar (Produced by) With: McCall, Phil - Campbell, Wallace - Murdoch, Bryden
A sketch of the emotional quality of life in a great city tracing the development of the Glasgow man from the inhabitant of a Clydeside hamlet to the beneficiary and victim of a unique industrialisation. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Glasgow Strathclyde Glasgow Rangers Glasgow Central Station
Heart Is Highland, The Travelogue, 20 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Taylor, John (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Produced by) McAllister, Stewart (Associate Producer) With: Mclaren, Moray
Film showing aspects of the lives of people of the Highlands of Scotland, linking present developments in industry, agriculture and transport with the country's past. Includes film of the interior of Glamis Castle. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Highland Region Glamis Castle Agriculture
Heart of England, The Travelogue, 20 min, 1954 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Clarke, Michael (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Ferguson, Ian (Associate Producer) Anstey, Edgar (Production Manager) With: Murray, Stephen
Cotswold Country filmed 45 years ago. The film follows the seasons of the year through this beautiful area of England. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Cotswolds Countryside
Highlight Holiday Travelogue, 17 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Credits: Taylor, John (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Produced by) With: Shaw, Robert
Produced very much in the spirit of the Free Cinema movement of the mid-1950s, this imaginatively edited film looks at a traditional holiday in Blackpool. Regarded as one of the most important BTF films -- very much a classic of its time. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Blackpool Holidays
-10- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Letter for Wales, A Drama, 25 min, 1960 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Thompson, Tony (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Washbourne, Donald (Production Assistant) With: Houston, Donald
Donald Houston posts a letter on the night mail train from Paddington and recalls boyhood memories of Wales. An imaginitive production involving colour and black and white photography, and inspired score based on Welsh folk tunes by Barry composer Grace Williams. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Wales Paddington railway station Great Britain Postal services Royal Mail
West Country Journey Travelogue, 26 min, 1953 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Sharples, Syd (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Producer) With: Platt, Victor - Brimmell, Max
Lyrical film journey travelling through Devon with its beautiful countryside, tiny ports and historic towns and going on to the sandy beaches and little fishing villages of Cornwall. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Cornwall Railway journeys Devon South West England Rail transport
-11- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 3 – Running a Railway Britannia - A Bridge Industry sponsored film, 18 min, 1973 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (In association with) Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Co (In association with) With: Smith, Ray
An account of the rebuilding of Robert Stephenson's bridge across the Menai Strait, which was completely gutted by fire in 1970 (Synopsis)
Subjects: Menai Straits Railway Bridge Menai Straits
E for Experimental Industry sponsored film, 20 min, 1975 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Washbourne, Donald (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Shearman, John (Producer) With: Shearman, John
An account of the development of British Rail's experimental Advanced Passenger Train, designed to run at speeds of up to 155 miles per hour on existing track and to take curves some 40% faster than conventional trains. Explains in simple terms some of the many design features of the APT, including the guidance system, the tilt mechanism and the hydro-kinetic brake and shows the train in action during its running trials. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Railway engineering APT
Highlight Farmer Moving South 17 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: de la Tour, Charles (Director) Taylor, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Ritchie, James (Director of Photography) With: Street, A.G.
A Yorkshire farmer moves his livestock and belongings by rail to a new farm in Sussex. (Synopsis)
-12- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Highlight Fully Fitted Freight Industry sponsored film, 21 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Keene, Ralph (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Produced by) With: McKechnie, James
British Railways owns 1,124,812 goods wagons, which if laid end to end would stretch from Plymouth to Wadi Halfa. They are vital for filling the nation's shopping baskets. Tomatoes are shipped in from Guernsey, cider from Hertfordshire, fur-lined boots and heavy-duty tyres from south to north, and sweets from Fry's chocolate factory: all fuelled by customer demand.
Subjects: Great Britain Trains Freight transport Rolling stock Goods wagons
Highlight Future on Rail, A Industry sponsored film, 9 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Produced by) Legard, John (Compiler) Le Saux, Paul (Commentary Writer) With: Duncan, Frank
Intended for showing to school leavers, this film shows some of the opportunities offered to new recruits following the modernisation plan. (Synopsis)
Subjects: British Rail Railway engineering Railway tracks Railway vehicles Dieselisation (railways)
Groundwork for Progress Industry sponsored film, 28 min, 1958 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Mason, Bill (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) McAllister, Stewart (Produced by) With: Marsh, Anthony - Bush, Arthur
The preparatory work involved in the laying of railway lines, including the laboratory testing of track and the testing of bridges. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Railway engineering Railway tracks
-13- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Highlight I Am a Litter Basket Public Information Filler, 9 min, 1959 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) McAllister, Stewart (Producer) With: McAllister, Stewart
Anti-litter film featuring an animated litter basket. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Litter Street furniture Model animation Euston station
Making Tracks Industry sponsored film, 17 min, 1956 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Thompson, Tony (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
Popular version of the staff instructional film MECHANISED RENEWAL OF PLAIN LINE (see card on this film). Sunday in country with foreman of one of British Railway's mechanised task forces, replacing lengths of track with new prefabricated sections using a mobile crane. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Cranes Track construction Railway engineering Rail transport
Highlight Modelling for the Future Documentary, 8 min, 1961 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) With:
A model of a proposed terminal which will serve a Channel Tunnel demonstrates the facilities it will offer and show the possibilities of a dry land crossing between England and France. Note: Film cited in `British Transport Film Library Catalogue 1970/71', p.20. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Channel tunnel Railway stations Rail transport Railway engineering Architecture
Operation London Bridge Documentary, 18 min, 1975 Production: British Transport Films -14- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Credits: Prouting, Norman (Director) Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) With: Woolf, Gabriel
Describes the history of London Bridge railway station and tells what is being d one to bring it up to date and provied improved services for commuters (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport London Bridge Station
People Like Us Instructional film/TV programme, 9 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
Staff instructional film on how to deal with passengers. Relations between passengers and staff on British Railways shown through candid camera shots. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Customer care British Rail Training
Highlight Terminus Documentary, 30 min, 1961 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Schlesinger, John (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Produced by) Hale, Nicholas (Assistant Director)
Shows changing patterns of human emotions during 24 hours in the life of Waterloo Station. (Synopsis)
Awards: Edinburgh International Film Festival Winner Diploma of Merit - London Film Festival Nominee International Shorts - Bafta Awards Winner Best Short Film Subjects: Waterloo Station London Employees Rail transport Commuting
Highlight Third Sam Training film/TV programme, 10 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Fairbairn, Kenneth (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) With: Holloway, Stanley - Norburn, William
-15- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Humorous training film presenting three sides of a driver's character when his electric locomotive fails. (Synopsis)
Awards: London Film Festival Nominee British Shorts Subjects: Electric trains Rail transport Employees
-16- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Highlight Wires over the Border Industry sponsored film, 17 min, 1974 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Shearman, John (Produced by) With: Denham, Maurice
An account of the electrification of the West Coast main line railway, from Crewe to Glasgow. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Electrification (railways) Great Britain Railway engineering Rail transport
-17- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 4 – Reshaping British railways Highlight Diesel Train Ride Travelogue, 11 min, 1959 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
A train ride through the English countryside, as seen through the forward windows of a diesel coach. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Railway journeys Rail transport Rural scenes Diesel trains
Forward to First Principles Industry sponsored film, 31 min, 1966 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Rowdon, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Rowdon, John
In the nineteenth century, the railways spread over the country and changed the geography, history, economy, and life of a nation. But before this, primitive railways were in use which conformed with economic principles rediscovered for the new freight trains. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Industrial Revolution Rail transport Railway engineering Modernisation
Freight and a City Industry sponsored film, 21 min, 1966 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Mason, Bill (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Shearman, John (Producer) With: Davies, Gordon Henry
The centralisation of Sheffield's railway goods traffic to provide an efficient freight service. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Sheffield Freight transport Rail transport British Rail
Highlight Let's Go to Birmingham -18- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Documentary, 6 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: West, Jack (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Strauss Jr, Johann (Music)
Driver's-eye view of the rail track on the Paddington to Birmingham run of the Blue Pullman, to the accompaniment of Johann Strauss's 'Perpetuum Mobile' . (Synopsis)
Subjects: Blue Pullman Rail transport Railway journeys Paddington railway station Birmingham
New Tradition, The 13 min, 1968 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Nicholls, Nick (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Produced by) With: Marsh, Anthony
The freightliner; a hot axle box detector, a new platform and barrier indicator at Charing Cross; the speeded-up Bournemouth line trains; the luxury lounge car on Western Region; an oil train of 100-ton wagons; a 1968 type station for motorists at Pudsey. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Goods wagons Paddington railway station Refrigerated transport N4 (hovercraft)
Highlight Overture: One-two-five Industry sponsored film, 7 min, 1978 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Legard, John (Producer)
Presents a musical impressionistic study of British Rail's new High Speed Train, in all stages of its development from prototype, through production and finally in service. No commentary. (Synopsis)
Subjects: High-speed trains Railway engineering Rail workshops
Place in the Team, A Public Information Filler, 23 min, 1953 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) Ellitt, Jack (Screenplay) Le Saux, Paul (Commentary Writer) Ross, Alice (Assistant Editor) -19- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Recruitment film showing the range of job opportunities in public transport. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Public transport Recruitment Rail transport Employees
-20- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Highlight Plumb-loco Industry sponsored film, 10 min, 1971 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) BBC TV (In association with) Legard, John (Produced by) Craigen, Ronald (Photography)
Aspects of the precision and drama of locomotive manufacture: an impressionistic study. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Trains Manufacturing processes Locomotive engineering
Reshaping British Railways Industry sponsored film, 23 min, 1963 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Anstey, Edgar (Script) With: Stockbridge, John - Beeching, Lord
Visual explanation of the Dr. Beeching plan. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Beeching Plan Rail transport Modernisation British Rail Railway engineering
Second Nature Documentary, 25 min, 1967 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer)
Electrification and other technological changes present problems of adaptation to railwaymen, who derive flexibility of mind from their relationship with nature The modern railwayman and electrification: workers explain in their own words how the coming of electric traction has changed their jobs and how they themselves have adapted to the changes. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Railway workers Employees Modernisation
Highlight Service for Southend Industry sponsored film, 10 min, 1957 Production: Data Film Productions Credits: Shepard, Leslie (Director) Data Film Productions (Production Company) British Transport Films (Sponsor) Reid, John (Photography)
-21- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Completion in December 1956 of the second half, Shenfield to Southend, of the London-Southend electrification scheme. Shows the erection of gantries , the stringing of conductors (but nothing of the substations) and the last steam train and the first electric train to run over the line. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Electrification (railways) Southend Railway engineering Rail transport
This Year by Rail 19 min, 1972 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Legard, John (Produced by) With: Marsh, Anthony new developments in British Rail during 1971 (Synopsis)
Subjects: British Rail Great Britain Rail transport Rail companies
Highlight Wash and Brush Up Industry sponsored film Training film/TV programme, 26 min, 1953 Production: Data Film Productions Credits: Thompson, Tony (Director) Data Film Productions (Production Company) British Transport Films (Sponsor)
To show the railway maintenance staff how to clean railway locomotives. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Trains Cleaning (industrial) Rail transport
Work in Progress Industry sponsored film, 26 min, 1951 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Clarke, Michael (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Garrett, Jim (Assistant Director)
Replacing a century-old rail tunnel at Woodhead, co-ordinated road haulage services in Argyllshire, Whitemoor freight marshalling yeard, Bristol bus services and the Calais to Dover cross-channel ferry: these are the subjects of this early BTF production covering a world of transport co-ordination now largely vanished. (Synopsis)
-22- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Subjects: Tunnelling Buses Factory workers Sea ferries Dover
-23- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 5 – Off The Beaten Track Age of Invention Documentary, 24 min, 1975 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Tourist Authority (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Murray, Stephen
Examines Britian's industrial heritage, concentrating on the period between 1708 and 1850, and showing many examples of surviving relics of the period. Intended for potential overseas visitors to Britain (Synopsis)
Subjects: Industrial Revolution 18th century 19th century Great Britain Inventions
Artist Looks at Churches, An Documentary, 14 min, 1959 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Taylor, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Piper, John (Commentary Writer)
John Piper explores the riches of architecture and decoration to be found in the wealth of historic churches around the country. Piper selects one church from each century, from Norman times to the present day. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Churches Great Britain Christian church architecture Church services Architecture
Between the Tides Documentary, 22 min, 1958 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Keene, Ralph (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Producer) With: Murray, Stephen
Fascinating and colourful study of marine animal and plant life of the South-West coast of Britain and their habitat of sea rock and sand. Awarded 15 international film honours. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Animals (subject of artistic representation) Flora Tides Coastlines
-24- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Dodging the Column Documentary, 10 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Orrom, Michael (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Hughes, Reg (Photography) With: Le Saux, Paul
The film shows the transportation by British Road Services of a 130 feet distillation column from London to Grangemouth and the difficulties encountered on the journey.
Subjects: Road transport Freight vehicles
Every Valley Documentary, 20 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Clarke, Michael (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Prouting, Norman (Commentary Writer) With: Houston, Donald
Shows the effect of modern means of transport on a small Welsh valley community, once entirely occupied in mining, now given the opportunity of varied occupations and studies in the nearby town. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Pontypridd Wales Miners Public libraries Buses
Giant Load Documentary, 10 min, 1958 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Craigen, Ronald (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
INTEREST. An articulated trailer, steerable from either end, moves a 168-ton transformer from the factory at Hayes, Middlesex to a sub-station at Iver, Bucks.
Subjects: Articulated lorries Steel Transformers British Road Services
Highlight Journey into Spring Documentary, 29 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Keene, Ralph (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Producer) -25- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
With: Murray, Stephen
Winner of six international awards, and one of the most famous of all British Transport films.The emergence of spring in the countryside of Southern England, Selborne, Hampshire, where the Rev Gilbert White made his classic record of the wildlife of the parish,"Natural History". (Synopsis)
Awards: Bafta Awards Winner Best Documentary Subjects: Animals (subject of artistic representation) Flora Spring Selborne Hampshire
Linkspan Industry sponsored film, 25 min, 1956 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Clarke, Michael (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Goulder, Stanley (Commentary Writer) With: Goodliffe, Michael
24 hours in the story of British Railways' channel ferry boats -- the 'link-spans' directly joining the road and railways of Britain with those of the continent. (Synopsis)
Subjects: English Channel, The Sea ferries Dover Harwich Dunkirk
Ocean Terminal Industry sponsored film, 30 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Holmes, J.B. (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) McAllister, Stewart (Associate Producer) With: Goodliffe, Michael - Lott, Barbara - Fields, Gracie
Documentary of Southampton Docks as the starting point for the world's largest liners. The story is told through the work of a tug skipper, a member of his crew, a stewardess on a cape boat, an assistant wharfinger in charge of handling baggage and freight, a taxi-driver and a pilot taking a liner down Southampton water at night. Two versions of this film were made one in 1952 and another 1961. The two films are virtually the same, but do have differences in some places. Gracie Fields appears in the first version only, Reel 3 (520-535ft). (Synopsis)
Subjects: Docks Southampton Cruise liners
Highlight Railways for Ever!
-26- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Documentary, 7 min, 1970 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Prouting, Norman (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Betjeman, John (Script) With: Betjeman, John
A film about the last steam train, with thoughts and recollections of John Betjeman. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Steam trains Betjeman, John (1906-1984)
-27- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Scene from Melbury House, The Documentary, 15 min, 1973 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Legard, John (Editor)
As a training exercise for their apprentice cameramen British Transport Films used scrap lengths of film to record the varied daily lives of their neighbours as seen from the roof of their building in London's Marylebone. No commentary. Intended for general audiences. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Marylebone British Transport Films London
Seaspeed Express Documentary, 16 min, 1980 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Sealink(UK) (Sponsor) Shepherd, John W. (Executive Producer)
Follows two journeys across the English Channel by hovercraft: one made by a sal es executive going by car to Lille for a business luncheon, the other made by a family crossing for a short holiday in Paris. Intended for general audiences and travel agents (Synopsis)
Subjects: Seaspeed English Channel, The Hovercraft Holidays Road transport
They Take the High Road Industry sponsored film, 25 min, 1960 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
Story of a team of four British Road Services' drivers who lived and worked together for two years doing a heavy transportation job, in the Scottish Highlands. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Lorry drivers Driving Freight vehicles Highland Region British Road Services
Wild Highlands Travelogue, 21 min, 1961 Production: British Transport Films
-28- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Credits: Ferguson, Ian (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Legard, John (Associate Producer) With: Murray, Stephen
The flora and fauna of the Scottish highlands, including footage of ospreys, and stags in Argyle. (Synopsis)
Awards: London Film Festival Nominee International Shorts Subjects: Animals (subject of artistic representation) Flora Highland Region Deer Ospreys
Highlight Wild Wings Documentary, 34 min, 1964 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Carey, Patrick (Director) Taylor, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Scott, Peter
Awarded an Oscar as well as four other international awards. At the wildfowl trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, Peter Scott and his team assist with the protection and survival of many species of bird life. (Synopsis)
Awards: Academy Awards Winner Best Live Action Short Film Subjects: Slimbridge Wildfowl Reserve Wildfowl Trust Water birds Bird watching Nature conservation and protection
-29- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 6 – Art of Travel Beacons and Beyond, The Documentary, 27 min, 1979 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Rail (Production Company) British Tourist Authority (Sponsor) With: Lloyd Meredith, David
Film to promote the tourist attractions of South Wales. (Synopsis)
Subjects: British Transport Films Tourism Wales
Desperate Case, A Documentary, 10 min, 1958 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Fairbairn, Kenneth (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
A suitcase, about to be sent home "luggage in advance" from the seaside, explains that, having been overfilled and ambiguously labelled, he is sure to be delayed. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Luggage Rail transport
Down to Sussex Travelogue, 17 min, 1964 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Fairbairn, Kenneth (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Halliday, Peter
Places and events in the South Downs and the Weald. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Sussex South Downs Weald
Golfers in a Scottish Landscape Documentary, 22 min, 1971 Production: British Transport Films
-30- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Credits: Prouting, Norman (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board Film Services (Production Company) British Tourist Authority (Sponsor) With: Crawford, Andrew
Two visitors enjoying Scotland, an enthusiastic but inexperienced golfer and his wife who explores places visited by Mary, Queen of Scots-the first known lady golfer. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Scotland British Rail Rail transport Railway journeys Golf
Journey into History Documentary, 10 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Shaw, Alexander (Director) Taylor, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Old Vic Company, The
The world of 18th century England, as seen through visits to art galleries, museums and old houses in and around London.
Subjects: 18th century England Architecture
Journey to the Sea Industry sponsored film Travelogue, 16 min, 1952 Production: Greenpark Productions Credits: Bishop, Terry (Director) Greenpark Productions (Production Company) British Transport Films (Sponsor) Swingler, Humphrey (Producer) With: McKechnie, James
Shows the workings of Britain's lorry haulage service, demonstrated by a typical trip transporting a ship's propellor from Preston to the Welsh coast. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Freight vehicles Lorry drivers Driving Preston Wales
Lancashire Coast Travelogue, 16 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Taylor, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Producer) With: Gregg, Hubert - Askey, Arthur - Holloway, Stanley -31- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
The holiday attractions of the Lancashire coast, beauty contest in Morecambe, Southport flower show, Blackpool Fun Fair, etc. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Lancashire Morecambe Blackpool Southport Beauty contests
-32- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Highlight Land of Robert Burns, The Biopic, 21 min, 1956 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Mendoza, Joe (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) McAllister, Stewart (Producer) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: McAllister, Stewart
This account of the poet's life is set among contemporary scenes of the people of South-West Scotland. The film's very moving score is supported by songs from the Saltaire Singers. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Robert Burns (1759-1796) Dumfries and Galloway Scotland
London for a Day Travelogue, 21 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Mckeand, David (Director) Woolf, Ian (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
This film conjures up the mood of a variety of London scenes and events throughout a typical summer's day. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London Holidays Summer
Midland Country Travelogue Promotional, 20 min, 1974 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Nicholls, Nick (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Tourist Authority (Sponsor) British Railways Board (Sponsor) With: Strong, David
Midland counties which can offer the holidaymaker a variety of pleasures and some of the loveliest English countryside. Counties covered are Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Midlands Lincolnshire Leicestershire Derbyshire Staffordshire
North to the Dales Travelogue, 19 min, 1963 Production: British Transport Films -33- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Credits: Craigen, Ronald (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Shaw, Robert
'There's magic here!' quotes narrator Robert Shaw: the charm of the Yorkshire Dales, with its market towns, fells, ruined abbeys, castles and Wensleydale cheese! (Synopsis)
Subjects: Yorkshire Dales
Travolators, The 8 min, 1961 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
The construction and opening of the 'Moving Pavement' at the City terminus of the Bank Waterloo Underground line. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London Underground Escalators City of London Underground railways Waterloo Football Club
Yorkshire Sands Travelogue, 15 min, 1955 Credits: Thompson, Tony (Director) British Transport Films (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Associate Producer) With: Shaw, Robert
A mid-'50s look at the sights and sounds of a summer holiday in Scarborough. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Yorkshire Seaside holidays Scarborough Seaside towns Holidays
-34- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 7 – The Age of the Train Highlight Centenary Express Documentary, 7 min, 1980 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Bendig, Allen (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Transport Hotels(Travellers Fare Division) (Sponsor) Legard, John (Producer) With: Hawkins, Peter
Highlights of a gastronomic journey from Yorkshire to London on board a special train-made up of vintage restaurant cars, and steam hauled, which was intended to celebrate a hundred years of train catering. The Chairman of British Rail, Sir Peter Parker, cut the cake. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Catering
Current Affairs on the Midland Documentary, 18 min, 1980 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways London Midland (Sponsor)
Documentary. The electrification of the line between King's Cross St Pancreas and Bedford. Commentary: Towards the end of 1974 £18m was allocated to modernising old railway lines from Central London to Bedford [the switch from dielsel and electric] and the extension of the King's Cross line to link up with the Picadilly line. Rebuilding of three stations (Radlett, Bedford and Harpenden). Modification/ rebuilding of bridges over lines. Remodelling of tracks and points. New depots, signal posts, gantrys and other construction work shown. Laying electric cables and track and modifying the signaling system to accommodate electrification. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Electrification (railways) British Rail Mechanical engineering England
Highlight Discover Britain by Train Documentary Promotional, 6 min, Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Britrail Travel (Sponsor) British Travel International Inc. (Sponsor) With: Redhead, Brian
Explains the benefits of rail travel in Britain. Intended for american audiences . Not available in the U.K. (Synopsis) -35- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
-36- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Discovering Railways Documentary, 13 min, 1977 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Ritchie, James (Producer) With: Purves, Peter
Presents an impressionistic study of railway facilities and activities including shots of the new High Speed Train, electrification, track relaying, rush-hour at Waterloo, freight trains and Sealink, and a brief glimpse of railway history. Intended for schoolchildren aged 10-16 years. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Railway engineering Great Britain
Finishing Line, The Instructional film/TV programme School programme and Educational film, 65 min, 1977 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Krish, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Shepherd, John W. (Executive Producer) With: Hill, Peter - Millett, David - Wilkin, Jeremy - Flood, Kevin - Carrick, Antony
A schoolboy's day-dream of a fantasy sports day in a railway location, of which the events are acts of vandalism and trespass, is used to show the injuries and death which can be caused by such behaviour. Only for showing by British Rail officials to children aged 8-12 and parent/teacher associations. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Vandalism Safety (on railways) Railway accidents Railway tracks
Intercity 125 24 min, 1976 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Nicholls, Nick (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Ritchie, James (Producer) With: Watson, Gary
About the building of a new generation of highspeed Inter-City trains. As well as providing speed and air- conditioned comfort, the design philosophy behind the trains was to extend the modular replacement concept as far as possible. Complete engines, alternators, cooling a nd brake systems, and electronic controls had to be modified so that they could be disconnected quickly and replaced. Intended for general audiences (Synopsis)
Subjects: Intercity trains Industrial design Transport vehicle engineering Intercity 125 High-speed trains -37- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
-38- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
HighlightHighlight Journey Intercity Documentary, 10 min, 1972 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) British Rail (Sponsor)
An account of passengers enjoying an intercity journey. Includes chess-playing vicars, a family doing a jigsaw, football fans, people eating in a restaurant, an old lady enjoying the view. Note: Credits cited but roles not given: Lionel Cole, Tedd Eggs, Alan Hewison, Jack West, Muir Matheson, Edgar Anstey. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Intercity trains Passengers Railway journeys
Highlight Motor Sport Tries Motorail Documentary, 10 min, 1969 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Nicholls, Nick (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Ritchie, James (Producer) With: Millar, Stephen
Members of a London club, with more than 30 cars, go by rail to Newton Abbot to compete against Torbay Motor Club in a hill climb and vehicle handling test. Members of the London Motor Club, with more than 30 cars, go by Motorail to Newton Abbot to compete against Torbay Motor Club in a hill climb and vehicle handling test. There was victory for the home team. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Motorail Motor sports Road testing Torbay Motor clubs
New Age for Railways, A Documentary, 27 min, 1979 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Adams, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer (Paris) (Sponsor) With: Stockbridge, John
The latest railway technology in six countries. Made for overseas distribution. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Great Britain Japan Federal Republic of Germany France
North Eastern Goes Forward, The
-39- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Documentary, 20 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
The aim of modernisation of the North Eastern region is to keep pace with social and industrial needs. The building of new marshalling yards, the improvement of passenger and freight facilities and the design of modern aids for speed and safety on the track are among the features shown. (Synopsis)
Subjects: North East England Rail transport Modernisation
Old Sam the Signalman Documentary, 8 min, 1982 Production: British Railways Board (Audio Visual Service) Credits: British Railways Board (Audio Visual Service) (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor)
Old Sam reminisces over the old days of the railways and tells of the modern railway, and how modernisation has brought new level crossings. He explains how they work and how to use them. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Railway tracks Level crossings Railway engineering
Pain Train, The Training film/TV programme, 23 min, 1969 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Rowdon, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Ritchie, James (Producer) With: Slater, John
How seconds lost by staff can add up and cause a train to be seriously late even on relatively short journeys. Intended for internal use. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Railway journeys Time Time management Trains Rail transport
Power to Stop Industry sponsored film, 11 min, 1979 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Mason, Bill (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Research Department) (Sponsor) Shepherd, John W. (Executive Producer) With: Rees, David -40- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Most railway vehicles are fitted with cast iron brake blocks, which are cheap to produce but wear rapidly and need frequent replacement. Looks at investigation into some of the associated problems which has led to the development of a new type with a high phosphorous content giving better performance and longer life. Intended for railway operating and workshop staff. mechanical engineers and others interested in rail transport (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rolling stock Trains Brakes Railway engineering
Railways Conserve the Environment Documentary, 17 min, 1970 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board Film Services (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) With: Marsh, Anthony
As 1970 was European Conservation Year, this issue of the series is devoted to examples of what railways in Britain are doing to help conserve and improve the environment. The conversion of former railway property, including the Round House, is shown, yielding Nature Trails for children and training runs for race horses. Railway architecture, old and new, makes its contribution, as does contemporary design. Note: Film cited in `British Transport Film Library Catalogue 1970/71', p.95. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Environmental issues Architectural design Somerset and Dorset Railway Roundhouse, The
Robbie (Overhead Lines) Children's, 13 min, 1979 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Dunkley, Ronald (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways (Sponsor) Ritchie, James (Producer) With: Purves, Peter - Crane, Robin - Norton, Deborah - Bolt, Peter - Forbes, Gary
Aimed at children, this film shows through the story of a boy called Robbie the dangers of attempting to cross railway lines. On his way back from a football match with his brother and sister, Robbie is persuaded against his better judgement that it is safe to cross the tracks and an accident befalls him. The police call at his home to break the news of the accident to his mother and his brother and sister are deeply affected by their experience.The film shows that even workers trained to work on tracks can still have accidents. We see from the driver's point of view how difficult it is to see a person on the line.The film warns of the danger to young children and animals of making holes in track-side fences. The final shots show Robbie being carried to his room; tragically, he will never play football again. One of a series of three films, this version deals with the dangers of overhead lines. (Synopsis)
-41- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Subjects: Rail transport Railway tracks Safety (transport) Safety (on railways)
Sir Peter Parker and Jimmy Savile Documentary, 11 min, 1981 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) With: Savile, Jimmy - Parker, Peter
Filmed interview by Jimmy Savile of the chairman of British Rail, Sir Peter Parker about why it is "the age of the train." Savile makes flattering comments about the railways. Includes closing message of support for railway staff from Parker and Savile. Intended for internal staff screening only. Also includes separate section of Savile talking to camera and praising rail travel.
Subjects: British Rail Savile, Jimmy (1926-2011 ) Rail transport Train services British Transport Films
Stone Carriers, The Instructional film/TV programme, 19 min, 1982 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Railfreight) (Sponsor) Shepherd, John W. (Executive Producer)
Describes the marketing strategy for railfreight aggregates traffic and the financial and environmental benefits. Intended for central and local government, freight-oriented organisations, professional bodies, railway trade unions and other interested parties (Synopsis)
Subjects: Freight transport Freight vehicles Goods wagons Rail transport Marketing
-42- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 8 – Points and Aspects
Highlight Care of St. Christophers Documentary, 16 min, 1959 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) McAllister, Stewart (Producer)
The work of St. Christopher's, a transport commission home for the children of railwaymen. (Synopsis)
Awards: London Film Festival Nominee Shorts and Documentaries Subjects: Children's homes British Rail
Channel Islands Travelogue, 20 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Orrom, Michael (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Arnold, Malcolm (Music)
A look at the history and the various places and activities of the Channel Islands.
Subjects: Channel Islands
Day to Day Track Maintenance Part 1 Plain Line Industry sponsored film Instructional film/TV programme, 32 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
INSTRUCTIONAL. Instructional film on the routine maintenance tasks which have to be performed by a permanent-way gang of four men. It shows how all types of fastening on both bull-head and flat-bottomed track are maintained; details the maintenance of rail joints; shows how `hanging' sleepers should be re- packed, and deals with the preservations of correct cant and alignment on curves. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail maintenance
-43- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Day to Day Track Maintenance Part 2 Switches and Crossings Industry sponsored film Instructional film/TV programme, 20 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
INSTRUCTIONAL. Instructional film on the routine maintenance performed by a permanent-way gang. The film deals with the maintenance of switches, common crossings and obtuse crossings. These are fundamental units from which all track layouts, however complicated, are built up. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail maintenance Points (railways) Railway engineering
Long Night Haul Documentary, 19 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
Technical and organisational improvements made by British Road Services in its first ten years. (Synopsis)
Subjects: British Rail Freight vehicles Great Britain Rail transport
Measured for Transport Industry sponsored film, 13 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Craigen, Ronald (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
Deals with the journey by rail to a remote site at Blaenau Ffestiniog in north Wales of a giant transformer weighing 123 tons. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Gwynedd Transformers Blaenau Festiniog
Mishap Industry sponsored film, 20 min, 1958 Production: Wallace Productions Credits: Wallace Productions (Production Company) British Transport Films (Production Company)
Measures to be taken by the station staff when a train fouls the opposite line i n double track Working. (Synopsis)
-44- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Subjects: Safety (on railways) Rail transport Railway tracks
Points and Aspects Documentary, 30 min, 1974 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) A.E.I. Cables (Sponsor) British Insulated Callender's Construction (Sponsor) With: Watson, Gary
The re-signalling of the West Coast main line from a point north of Crewe through to the Clyde, bringing the whole line from London to Glasgow under one system of push button control and colour light signals. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Signals (railways) Rail transport
Scotland for Sport Travelogue, 25 min, 1958 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Fairbairn, Kenneth (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) With:
Ski-ing, canoeing, pony-trekking, fishing, sailing on the Clyde, climbing in the Cuillin of Skye, and golf at Gleneagles. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Outdoor recreation Scotland
Signal Engineers, The Documentary, 26 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
A film - not only for school leavers - about one of the most responsible and professional jobs on British Rail. Practical work in shop and signal box, on gantry and by trackside, coupled with instruction in mechanics, electricity, electronics and draughtsmanship, lead the apprentice into the intricacies of design, the excitement of research and experiment, and the intense satisfaction of being in a a big 'changeover' from old semaphore signalling to a new colour-light scheme.
Subjects: British Rail Signals (railways) Railway workers
-45- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Single Line Working Training film/TV programme, 30 min, 1958 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
Staff training film about the duties of railwaymen when up and down traffic is using a single track. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Railway tracks Safety (on railways) Railway workers Rail transport
-46- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Spick and Span Documentary, 18 min, 1962 Production: British Transport Films Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company)
Shows the various types of train cleaning undertaken at stations, between journeys, and at the cleaning depots.
Subjects: Cleaning (industrial) Trains Rail transport
Under the Wires Industry sponsored film, 27 min, 1965 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Nicholls, Nick (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) With: Stockbridge, John
Some aspects of the problems involved in the electrification of the London Midland Region main lines between London, Manchester and Liverpool at 25KV, AC, using overhead wires and drawing supply from the National Grid. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Great Britain Electrification (railways) Electronics Rail transport
-47- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 9 – Just the Ticket
Away for the Day Travelogue, 19 min, 1952 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Krish, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
A coach is seen leaving a Welsh mining village for a day trip. All over the country town people set off in hired coaches for day trips to different surroundings. Various coach parties are seen visiting Dartmoor, the Roman theatre at Veralamium (270-288), the Tower of London (330), Brighton (398-408), Tintern Abbey (605-620). (731). (Synopsis)
Subjects: Coach tours Wales Villages Mining Dartmoor
Berth 24 Documentary, 40 min, 1950 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Holmes, J.B. (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Gaudioz, John (Unit Manager) With: Devlin, William - Huson, Richard
The first production of the newly formed British Transport Film Unit. Set in the Hull Docks, it describes the 'turn around' of the steamer _S.S. Bravo_, following her arrival from Gothenburg with various cargoes and then loading and departing again for Sweden. The part of the Swedish passenger is played by Richard Huson. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Kingston upon Hull Docks Cargo handling Dockers Ports
Give Your Car a Holiday Documentary, 18 min, 1967 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Woolf, Ian (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) With: Baxter, Raymond
British Rail's Motorail and ferry services to the Continent and Ireland. (Synopsis)
-48- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Subjects: Sea ferries British Rail Motorail Great Britain Motor cars
-49- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Go As You Please...... in Britain Documentary, 18 min, 1975 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Prouting, Norman (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) Ritchie, James (Executive Producer) Legard, John (Produced by) With: Denham, Maurice
Shows some of the country's attractions that can be reached by rail. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Rail transport Great Britain
It Takes all Sorts... 18 min, 1978 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Bryant, Gerard (Directed by) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Ritchie, James (Produced by) With: Castle, Dennis - Worthy, Johnny - Dunlop, Joe - Boyd, Roy - Dennis, John
Shows how a number of typical incidents involving passengers and staff are dealt with. Different approaches are examined and analysed. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Customer care British Rail
Just Like the Rest of Us 20 min, 1983 Production: BTF Video Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) BTF Video (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Gordon, Douglas (Producer) With: Gordon, Douglas
Documentary which is aimed at improving rail travel facilities for the disabled. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Travels Disability Trains Rail transport
Just the Ticket Promotional, 7 min, 1967 Production: British Transport Films
-50- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Credits: British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Kilburn, Richard (Compiler) With: Marion-Crawford, Howard
A film to encourage travel on British Railways, either for transport, work or leisure. Howard Marion Crawford advises in verse to take advantage of all three possibilities and shows impressions of a wide variety of journeys, destinations and amenities. A selection of rail-borne experiences includes Pullman travel, arriving at the seaside, and travelling through the Highlands. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Railway journeys
Lost, Stolen, Damaged Documentary, 30 min, 1964 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Rowdon, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) Shearman, John (Producer) With: Rowdon, John
Lost, stolen, damaged - the £2,000,000 a year problem of claims against British Railways is debated by railwaymen, transport police and businessmen, putting forward their different points of view. Theft is the cause of the largest proportion of claims made, followed by damage to and loss of belongings. The economic effect of the claims is discussed as well as the mental effect on BR workers. The film emphasises the work being done to combat the various problems and that improvements to the service are being undertaken.
Subjects: Stress at work Theft Lost property British Rail Compensation claims
Manhandling Training film/TV programme, 11 min, 1962 Production: Tara Films Credits: Tara Films (Production Company) British Transport Films (Production Company)
Staff training film, in which a scantily clad young woman singing a song ('It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it') demonstrates the correct way to lift.
Subjects: Manual handling Industrial safety Rail transport
Peak District -51- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Travelogue, 20 min, 1954 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Sims, Peter M. (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Producer) With: Shaw, Robert
Peak District. First of the National Parks, where visitors can enjoy a variety of scenery and pastimes. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Peak District National parks
They Had an Idea Training film/TV programme, 14 min, 1953 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Krish, John (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
Gives three examples of the kind of results to be obtained from an effective works suggestion scheme. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Employment Work environment Employee suggestion schemes Employees Management
Train Driver Children's School programme and Educational film, 11 min, 1966 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Le Saux, Paul (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Educational Foundation for Visual Aids (Production Company) British Railways Board (Sponsor) With: Rowdon, John
A documentary account of the work of the modern train driver, illustrating his duties both preparatory to and during the journey. Intended for children aged nine and above. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Trains Safety (on railways) British Rail Great Britain Railway workers
-52- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 10 – London All That Mighty Heart Documentary, 24 min, 1963 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Baxter, R.K. Neilson (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer)
London Transport's London: showing the slow build up to the rush hour, the mid-morning lull, Saturday afternoon's and evening's activities of sport and West End entertainment, and tunnelling of the new tube line from Victoria and Walthamstow. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London London Underground Traffic control Entertainment and recreation Tunnelling
Automatic Fare Collection and You 4 min, 1969 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Privett, Bob (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport Board (Sponsor) Shearman, John (Producer)
Shows correct and incorrect ways of getting tickets and going (with and without parcels and luggage) through the automatic gates (Synopsis)
Do You Remember? 12 min, 1955 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Thompson, Tony (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Associate Producer)
How lost property on London Transportis collected, sorted, warehoused and restored to its forgetful owners. Cinegazette no. 14. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London
London on the Move Documentary, 15 min, 1970 Production: British Transport Films
-53- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Credits: Nicholls, Nick (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) With: Matthews, Tim
How the London Transport Board, with the aid of modern technology, is tackling t he problems brought about by an ever increasing volume of traffic (Synopsis)
Moving London Documentary, 1983 Production: London Transport Credits: London Transport (Production Company)
Short documentary celebrating 50 years of London Transport. (Synopsis)
Nine Road, The Documentary, 20 min, 1976 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Bigham, Richard (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport Executive (Sponsor) Shepherd, John W. (Executive Producer) With: Cameron, Douglas
The "Nine Road" is the busmand's name for one of London's oldest and must used b us routes between Mortlake and Liverpool Street. The film shows the operation an d control of the No.9s throughout the course of a day. Intended for general audiences, particularly users of public tr ansport in Greater London and surface transport authorities in the U.K. and over seas The 'Nine Road' is the busman's name for one of London's oldest and most used bu s routes, between Mortlake and Liverpool Street. Shows the operation and contro l of the No 9s throughout the course of the day. (Synopsis)
Omnibus 150 Documentary, 16 min, 1979 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Lochner, C. David (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport (Sponsor) Shepherd, John W. (Executive Producer) With: Firth, David
Traces the origins and development of the London Omnibus, beginning with George shillibeer's three horse bus of 1829. Preceded by a 3 1/2 minute black-and-white sequence entitled Omnibus centenary (Synopsis)
-54- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
One for One Documentary, 24 min, 1964 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Kilburn, Richard (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport Board (Sponsor) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer)
All engines, and electrical and mechanical parts from London Transport buses are completely reconditioned and given new life after years of arduous service at t he Chiswick works, where a multiplicity of engineering processes and skills are combined to keep London's b us fleet on the move Renorvating of London Transport buses at the Chiswick Works. (Synopsis)
Our Canteens Public Information Filler, 12 min, 1951 Production: Trident Films Credits: Trident Films (Production Company) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport Executive (Sponsor)
The work of London Transport canteens. The London Transport food production centre at Croydon, where the food is prepared and distributed to canteens all over London. Looks at the different facilities availavale in the old, new, large and small canteens. A 'canteen worker' describes the work in the various style canteens. She talks about how the canteens are run, the staff training centre at Baker Street, what a new member of the canteen staff may expect on their first day and how to deal with the workers who use the canteen. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London Transport Canteens
Overhaul Documentary, 17 min, 1957 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Thompson, Tony (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Executive Producer) Ferguson, Ian (Producer) With: Holmes, J.B.
Regular dismantling and reconstruction of world's largest bus fleet at London Tr ansport, Aldenham Works. (Synopsis)
Subjects: Buses Motor vehicle maintenance London Transport
-55- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
-56- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Power Signal Lineman Documentary, 16 min, 1953 Production: Basic Films Credits: Basic Films (Production Company) British Transport Films (Sponsor) Lassally, Walter (Photography)
Duties of the engineer who is responsible for the electrical signalling and poin ts equipment on London Transport railways. (Synopsis)
Under Night Streets Documentary, 20 min, 1958 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Keene, Ralph (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Anstey, Edgar (Producer) Washbourne, Donald (Production Assistant)
Cleaning and repairing London Transport underground stations and lines during the night. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London Underground Underground railways Night workers Railway engineering Cleaners
-57- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Volume 11 – Experiment under London Experiment under London Documentary, 23 min, 1961 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Ritchie, James (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) Edgar Anstey (Production Company)
Experimental excavations in preparations for the new Victoria line underground; two tube tunnels, one with concrete lining and the other with cast iron. (Synopsis)
Subjects: London Victoria Line
Victoria Line Report No. 1 over and Under Documentary, 28 min, 1965 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Privett, Bob (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
The chief civil engineer for London Transport's new underground line from Victor ia to Walthamstow describes the work in progress from early 1963 to mid 1964 at Oxford Circus. (Synopsis)
Victoria Line Report No. 3: Problems and Progress Report, 27 min, 1967 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Privett, Bob (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport Board (Sponsor) Shearman, John (Producer)
The difficulties met by the designers and contractors of the Victoria Line, part icuarly at Kings Cross and Oxford Circus, the diversion work at Finsbury Park an d the problem of accurate track laying (Synopsis)
Victoria Line Report No. 5 Equip and Complete Documentary, 1968 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Privett, Bob (Director) Washbourne, Donald (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
-58- [email protected]
BFI Catalogue – British Transport Film
Construction work on the victoria line: the installation of escalators; testing new rolling stock; installing the power supply. The walthamstow-highbury section in operation.
Subjects: Victoria Line London Underground railways
Victoria Line Report No. 5 London's Victoria Line Documentary, 45 min, 1969 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Privett, Bob (Director) Washbourne, Donald (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company) London Transport Board (Sponsor) With: Baxter, R.K. Neilson
Documentary about the Victoria Line The design, construction and completion of the new Victoria underground line showing the various phases and engineering techniques involved (Synopsis)
Victoria Line Report No.2 Down and Along Documentary, 25 min, 1965 Production: British Transport Films Credits: Privett, Bob (Director) British Transport Films (Production Company)
Progress on the new underground line; modern techniques of tunnelling, the use o f a mechanical digging shield and digging by hand. (Synopsis)
-59- [email protected]