The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Push and Pull
The age of steam lingers on as the `Worth Valley Railway Re-Opening Special' pulls into Keighley station, and hardly an anorak in sight.
From the collection of:
Overview
On the day that Hyde Park hosted its first free concert – with Pink Floyd and Tyrannosaurus Rex – those preferring the chuff chuff sound of a steam locomotive were looking backwards rather than forwards to the age of progressive rock. It’s the opening of one of the first heritage railways in Britain, the Worth Valley Railway, and scores of railway enthusiasts have flocked to Keighley to witness the historic re-opening of the line, with full brass band fanfare.
This film was made by Leeds Movie Makers member Gordon Riley, one of a collection made during the 1960s and ‘70s, including several other fine railway films. Although the Worth Valley Railway is only five miles long, it is a lovely scenic route through the heart of the Pennine Moors, stopping off at Haworth, and the location for filming the classic film ‘The Railway Children’. The line was closed to passengers in December 1961 and to goods in June 1962 by BR before the Beeching Report. Thankfully a preservation society was soon formed, and it has continued to be run by volunteers ever since. The preservation society is looking for sponsors to help put the 41241 Ivat tank loco, seen in the film, back into operation.
Related
Among the Rails of Wales Among the Rails of Wales
Amateur film 1952 12 mins Location: Welshpool/Y Trallwng
Jim Fraser of Bristol, with great affection for his subject, introduces the viewer to the “quaint little railways and tramways” of Wales.
Trail of The Iron Horse Trail of The Iron Horse
Amateur film 1966 37 mins Location: Maldon
Shy and testy retired signalman Wally Trigg chats to amateur filmmaker and railway enthusiast Chib Thorp, as Micky the Collie happily ambles along the overgrown railway line.
The Rocket The Rocket
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Darlington
A full size replica of Robert Stephenson’s world famous locomotive, The Rocket, steams up a 1920s crowd at the North Road Works in Darlington.
Railway with a Heart of Gold Railway with a Heart of Gold
Documentary 1965 15 mins Location: Talyllyn Railway
At the heart of the Talyllyn Railway are the volunteers – e.g. schoolboys, bus drivers, actors – whose commitment ensures the line’s continuance, despite the odd derailment.
A Special Event A Special Event
Amateur film 1958 2 mins Silent
The West Sussex Downsman railtour visits Midhurst, eminent Victorians appear in Petersfield and part of the town's railway fabric is demolished just before its centenary
Railway Vicar Railway Vicar
News 1978 7 mins Location: Royal Leamington Spa
Church bells, organs and choirs are all sounds you'd expect to hear at a church - but what about the sound of a steam locomotive at full tilt?
Gala Day 1974 Gala Day 1974
Amateur film 1974 9 mins Location: Keighley
Keighley’s annual charity gala features weird and wonderful floats depicting icons from all eras including the Brontës and the Wombles.
Local Dialects Local Dialects
Factual TV 1987 10 mins Location: Huddersfield
This film takes us on a tour of Yorkshire and offers a profoundly interesting and focused examination of many of the area’s regional dialects.
The End The End
Non-Fiction 1965 7 mins Location: Keighley
Still haunted by the Cuban missile crisis, the folk of Keighley are reassured that local authorities are well prepared for any nuclear attack.
Wedding at Keighley Wedding at Keighley
Home movie 1939 13 mins Silent Location: Keighley
Nobody would guess, watching the celebrations for this happy couple of newlyweds, that within a month Britain would be engaged in a world war.
Worth Valley Railway Worth Valley Railway
Non-Fiction 1982 2 mins Silent Location: Keighley
Be transported back in time through Brontë country, looking out from the footplate as passengers hang their heads out of the windows with the steam blowing through their hair.
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.