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This film is part of Free
A grand parade of locomotives to celebrate 100 years of railways and the world’s first passenger trains
Non-Fiction 1925 19 mins Silent
1n 1825 George Stephenson made and drove the first passenger locomotive. In 1925 the London and North Eastern Railway presented a historical parade and tableaux to illustrate the subsequent development of the railways. Debenhams of York were commissioned to record the proceedings, making this film record a candidate for one of the earliest films sponsored by a railway company. This version is complete with its original tints, meaning that for the first time in decades the film can be seen as Debenhams had originally intended.
Documentary 1970 7 mins
Sir John Betjeman reminisces about the phasing out of the mainline steam operation.
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Conwy Castle
Conwy's bridge, castle and station glide past, as if in a dream, in this beautiful phantom train ride film (no ghosts but apparently no train either) from 1898.
Non-Fiction 1926 4 mins Silent Location: Welwyn Garden City
Empire News Bulletin record the Conservative Minister Neville Chamberlain at Welwyn Station's official opening ceremony.
Non-Fiction 1964 5 mins Location: Derby
A sentimental sale or simply for profit? British Railways sells off the history that doesn't fit with the swinging sixties.
Public Information Filler 1959 6 mins
A heartfelt cry on behalf of the world's litter-baskets.
Amateur film 1960 7 mins Location: Bluebell Railway
Enjoy this charming film from Trevor White which charts the birth of the Bluebell Railway - from the germ of an idea into a fully functioning steam railway
Amateur film 1988 13 mins Location: Darlington
A day in the life of the Lily in Darlington washing the town's dirty laundry.
Amateur film 1979 6 mins Location: Darlington
A promotional film to encourage motorcycle safety and training in Darlington.
Advert 1965 1 mins Silent Location: Darlington
There are bargains aplenty for Jean Bartlett of Darlington at her local Co-op in this upbeat 1960s ad
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.
School programme and Educational film 1965 19 mins Location: Darlington
Halcyon days for young wordsmiths at a Darlington primary school in the 1960s.
Sponsored film 1969 33 mins Location: Darlington
Everything you always wanted to know about North East homing pigeons (but were afraid to ask).
Current affairs 1980 5 mins Location: Thurlestone
Gerald Haycock embarks on a torture and pleasure weekend and goes from reward-based hard exercise to eating and drinking.
Current affairs 1968 4 mins Location: Nettlecombe
Estate once owned by the father of King Harold, Godwin has never been bought or sold.
Current affairs 1965 6 mins Location: Exeter
Women are put through their deportment paces and all in the name of etiquette.
Current affairs 1969 3 mins Location: Perranporth
Andy Price checks out how to make your own surfboard.
Home movie 1960 8 mins Silent Location: Nantyglo
The sun shines on the school sports, ensuring good trade for the ice-cream vendor; in winter it makes the snow that halts train and car sparkle.
Current affairs 1962 3 mins Location: St Mawgan
RAF 22 Squadron provides air-sea rescue for the South West with new HAR 10 Whirlwind helicopters.
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