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
Their Purpose Served
The iron horses of yesteryear, and the railways they ran on, may be down but they are not out. Slate, cattle and coal are still carried as are passengers and restoration is in the air.
From the collection of:
Overview
Wales’ narrow gauge railways were mainly constructed to carry slate but only the Penrhyn Quarry Railway still serves this industry, a superb view of the enterprise being provided by the cameraman bravely travelling up a steep incline in an empty wagon. Also featured are The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway carrying coal right through the streets of Welshpool, and the summer services of the Ffestiniog Railway (under restoration) and the Vale of Rheidol Railway.
Engines ‘Blanche’, ‘Cackler’ and ‘Holy War’ are seen in operation at Penrhyn Quarry. ‘Prince’, ‘Taliesin’ and the ‘Earl of Merioneth’ are seen on the Ffestiniog Railway, which was closed in 1946, restoration starting in 1954. ‘Llywelyn’ is seen on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, run as a tourist line from the 1930s. Engine numbers 822 (The Earl) and 823 (Countess) are seen on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway which was closed to passengers in 1931, closed completely in November 1956 but re-opened as a heritage railway in 1963. This film probably shows the line in its last year of operation.
Related
Miriam Conquers Pendinas Miriam Conquers Pendinas
Home movie 1969 4 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Onwards and upwards goes toddler Miriam Jones, her little legs taking her to the very top of Aberystwyth's hill fort, Pen Dinas.
Aberystwyth Carnival, June 1975 Aberystwyth Carnival, June 1975
Home movie 1975 4 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Children dressed as double yellow lines indicate that parking in Aberystwyth has been an issue across the centuries!
Mackerel Fishing, Tanybwlch Mackerel Fishing, Tanybwlch
Home movie 1965 2 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
A shoal of mackerel has drawn hordes of fishermen and women to Tanybwlch beach, Aberystwyth, on a warm summer's evening.
Victor H Williams' Family - Aberystwyth 1967 Victor H Williams' Family - Aberystwyth 1967
Home movie 1967 2 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Victor Williams returns to his roots for a holiday that offers trampolines, donkey rides and dodgem-type cars for his daughters to enjoy.
For Those in Peril - offcuts For Those in Peril - offcuts
Documentary 1974 10 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
The men, the inflatable boat and the equipment that help keep those in peril on the sea around Aberystwyth safe.
Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru - trysordy'r genedl Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru - trysordy'r genedl
Amateur film 1937 15 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
Behind the scenes at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth: as readers enter by the front door, acquisitions arrive by lorry at the back.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.