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
Wrexham Central to Ellesmere Line 1962
The last passengers to travel the Wrexham Central to Ellesmere Line on 8/9/1962 are recorded by a railway and film enthusiast.
From the collection of:
Overview
The Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway was opened in 1895 but the last passengers were carried on 8/9/1962 – as recorded here - and the line between Ellesmere and Pick Hill Halt was then pulled up, part of the railway restructuring of the 1960s. Freight was carried on what was left until the 1980s. The line had run from Wrexham Central to Ellesmere via Marchwiel, Bangor-on-Dee and Overton-on-Dee with halts (request stops) at Hightown, Sesswick, Pick Hill, Cloy, Trench, Elson.
Brian T Cowlishaw was born overlooking the Shrewsbury railway tracks and became a train enthusiast and a keen member of Ruthin Cine Club, uniting the two interests in a number of films recording railways that were closing during the era of sweeping cuts to mainly rural and industrial railways implemented by Dr Richard Beeching, first chair of the British Railways Board. Cowlishaw worked as a medical laboratory technician and later in lighting/stage management with Theatr Clwyd.
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.
Railway with a Heart of Gold Railway with a Heart of Gold
Documentary 1965 15 mins Location: Talyllyn Railway
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.
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?
Young Geraint - At Home and Abroad Young Geraint - At Home and Abroad
Home movie 1966 11 mins Silent Location: Wrexham/Wrecsam
A wedding, parties, Rhyl fair rides, Harlech beach and Portofino all provide young Geraint Hughes from Wrexham with experiences to treasure.
Wales v Ireland at Wrexham (1906) Wales v Ireland at Wrexham (1906)
Non-Fiction 1906 3 mins Silent Location: Wrexham/Wrecsam
International football action in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Wrexham.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.