Vol.19 - Steam on the Cambrian

Ref: BR019D

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The most well-known film maker around Shrewsbury was Bill Cross who really loved the Cambrian and Borders country. Thankfully he had the forsight to record the lines of this area when steam still reigned supreme. He used a 16mm camera. The Cambrian system is probably only second to the Somerset and Dorset in popularity with enthusiasts. Steam returned to Cambrian metals in 1987 and 1991 so here is the chance to see it when steam arrived on every train.

We travel from Whitchurch in the east to Aberystwyth in the west calling at Barmouth, Dovey Junction and Borth to see local trains and the famous "Cambrian Coast Express''. Nostalgic scenes on the Mid-Wales line from Moat Lane Junction through Llanidloes, Rhayader, Three Cocks Junction, Pantydwr and Builth Wells are seen on this long closed line.

Oswestry where the Cambrian had their headquarters was full of steam and we visit Gobowen, Tinkers Green and the Ellesmere to Whitchurch line via Fenns Bank. The locos of the early `60s were Standard and Ivatt designed but we also see six different Manors and the Talylynn special hauled by 7827 and 4555 in GWR livery.

We cover services that are no longer with us. A DMU arrives and departs from Caernarvon station in 1970 and a rare piece of film taken in 1927 shows the Corris Railway in passenger days (Black & White). This footage is probably the only known piece of film from this era. Next a local train arrives and departs form Llanymynach Station in January 1965 - a week before closure. Adams O2 0-4-4T tanks are seem on the Isle-of-Wight system in 1959 along with Drewry Petrol Railcars and ex-London Transport tube trains in 1967. Plus very rare footage of a DMU journey on the down Wolverhampton to Birmingham Snow Hill line just before closure in August 1971.

Finally, the Vale of Rheidol railway ends this beautiful programme filmed in the early `60s when the terminus was near the river and outside of the BR station.

Bill, himself an authority on all things Cambrian, narrates this video and of course the equally fascinating Volume 22.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Bill Cross
Narrated by: Bill Cross
Screen aspect ratio:
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R
Origination: 16mm cine-film

Running Time: 60-mins (1hr 0min)

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