National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Railway with a Heart of Gold
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.
From the collection of:
Overview
An American film-maker’s humorous tribute to the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society whose dedicated members ensure the continuance of the line, despite the odd derailment and unidentified bits-and-bobs falling off the locomotives. He concludes that the railway is “a bit of ornamental scrollwork lifted from the pattern of yesterday and kept as a memento".
Carson [Kit] Davidson, independent film-maker and later medical editor, has had two of his films nominated for an Oscar (‘Third Avenue El’ and ‘Help! My Snowman’s Burning Down’). He has written books for children and with his wife (a children’s author) has created the ‘Taconic Peaks Ramble’, Vermont, on 420 acres of land.
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.
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?
John Betjeman Goes by Train: King's Lynn to Hunstanton John Betjeman Goes by Train: King's Lynn to Hunstanton
Travelogue 1962 10 mins
John Betjeman revels in the pleasures of travelling along the small branch line from King's Lynn to Hunstanton.
The Fathew Flyer The Fathew Flyer
Amateur film 1979 6 mins Location: Dolgoch
Alan Willmott cranks up the speed on this Talyllyn Railway Special so that those visitors who wish to “do” Wales in a day can pack more in!
Talyllyn Railway Royal Visit 1982 Talyllyn Railway Royal Visit 1982
Home movie 1982 6 mins Silent Location: Talyllyn Railway
Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, take a one-station trip on one of the country’s little trains, Charles riding in the cab from Pendre to Rhydyronen.
Summer Service Only Summer Service Only
Documentary 1957 13 mins Silent Location: Talyllyn Railway
P B Whitehouse, an authority on railways, extols the virtues of “the little railway” – the Talyllyn - that runs from Rhydyronen to Abergynolwyn and beyond.
Cader Idris & Talyllyn Cader Idris & Talyllyn
Amateur film 1957 14 mins Silent Location: Dolgoch
Down Talyllyn way, 22/5/1957, with the Rev W V Awdry of ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ fame and other Talyllyn Railway notables. J Adams films the BBC filming ‘Now’ series footage.
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.
The Tal-Y-Llyn Railway The Tal-Y-Llyn Railway
Amateur film 1949 10 mins Silent Location: Talyllyn Railway
The engine ‘Dolgoch’ bumps and bounces its coaches – and two teapots - along the line from Tywyn Wharf Station to Abergynolwyn, before its closure in 1950.
Adura Baba Mi Adura Baba Mi
Documentary 2024 15 mins
Through a series of intimate recollections with the filmmaker’s parents, affectionate memories of a Nigerian family are explored.
Stomach Bug Stomach Bug
Drama 2024 15 mins
A disturbing unravelling of a single father struggling to cope with empty nest syndrome as it begins to manifest physically.
Two Refusals (Would We Recognize Ourselves Unbroken?) Two Refusals (Would We Recognize Ourselves Unbroken?)
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 35 mins
The spectre of a mythic titan looms as this film explores shared resistance against Portuguese colonialism between India and Africa.
See It Say It See It Say It
Drama 2023 18 mins
A nightmare of terror unravels when a struggling actor is confronted with a stranger’s prejudice whilst commuting to an audition.
Liminal Roots Liminal Roots
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 4 mins
A journey through the memories of a young girl struggling to come to terms with the complexity of her mixed-raced identity.
Vibrations From Gaza Vibrations From Gaza
Documentary 2023 16 mins
A documentary offering a glimpse into the resilience of Palestinian Deaf children in Gaza, who are living with Israel’s military attacks.