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.
This film is part of Free
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.
From the collection of:
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.
Related
Watch for free
Railways - Derelict and Preserved Railways - Derelict and Preserved
Amateur film 1975 33 mins Silent Location: Rainhill
Come and see Rocket 150, and visit a selection of railway locations, past and preserved.
Watch for free
A Railway Miscellany A Railway Miscellany
Amateur film 1970 11 mins Silent Location: Rainhill
Railways great and small, past, present and preserved - a snapshot of rail in Britain in the 1970s.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.