Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Tenderden and Rolvenden Stations
The Kent & East Sussex Railway hosts an Open Day in this short film, giving many of its engines - including one destined for screen stardom – a chance to strut their stuff
From the collection of:
Overview
This film begins at Tenterden Station, where a double-headed train arrives from the south. Several locomotives, of many sizes, haul various wagons and railway vehicles up and down the station - much to the delight of the many visitors to the line. 'Maunsell', a USA Tank, numbered 22, hauls its train towards Rolvenden, where it stops. A pair of level-crossing gates are then opened to allow 'Maunsell' to continue her journey to the very end of the line.
Maunsell', the USA tank engine, which appears in this film, was constructed at the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 1943 and shipped to the UK for eventual use on mainland Europe after the D-Day invasion. After the war, the Southern Railway acquired a number of the locomotives for use in Southampton Docks. Once displaced by diesel shunters, some of the USA tanks were sent to Ashford Wagon Works where they were kept busy. Two of them were sold for scrap but got no further than Tonbridge. The K&ESR purchased this pair in 1968 for eventual restoration. Number 22, 'Maunsell', appeared in Michael Radford's film version of George Orwell's novel, '1984', which starred John Hurt and Richard Burton.
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