The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
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Rainhill Trials Remembered
Rocket 150 was a celebration and re-enactment on 24th, 25th and 26th May 1980 on the 150th anniversary of the Rainhill Trials.
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Overview
The Rainhill Trials were a competition event staged in October 1829. The nearly-completed Liverpool and Manchester Railway required the most advanced design of steam engine to power the line, but the plan was to use stationary engines hauling carriages by cable. George Stephenson argued that moving locomotives would provide the best motive power, and his son, Robert Stephenson's ‘Rocket’ was declared the winner, as it was the only entry to complete the challenge.
The film starts with a number of short sequences of diesel and steam trains, including some shots of Sheringham station, before a view of the programme for ‘Rocket 150’ opens the main event. Locomotives on display include the Mayflower - 61306 which was built in 1948; Scots Guardsman - 6115, built in 1927 which starred in the 1936 film Night Mail; Flying Scotsman - No 4472; Midland Spinner - No 673, built at Derby in March 1897; Maude - No 673; the Pines Express - 13809; Sir Nigel Gresley - No 4498; Evening star - the last steam locomotive to be manufactured by British Railways at Swindon railway works in1960, and a replica of Stephenson’s Rocket.
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