Military Railways

Ref: TR807D

Price:£30.00

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Loose coupled freight trains with their distinctive clatter and the daily local 'pick up' freight train, are now sadly a thing of the past - at least as far as British Rail is concerned. However, there is one complete railway system which still handles huge amounts of traffic in this traditional manner:- the Bicester Military Railway.

This unique video gives a rare and privileged insight into the day to day operations of one of the countries largest industrial railways. The fascinating and busy Central Ordinance Depot, which is not generally open to the public, still uses an extensive standard gauge railway for the vast majority of it's internal movements between the various storehouses.

Each day sees an enormous amount of individual movements and marshalling operations. As well as internal traffic flows, featuring many unique and interesting wagon variants no longer found on main line systems, the railway also handles significant amounts of main line traffic through it's connection to British Rail.

This superbly made programme also deals with MOD main line traffic since the demise of Speedlink and there's a visit to the Museum of Army Transport at Beverley, Yorkshire, to look at some other unusual relics used by both MOD and the Army. Not forgetting a close look at the immaculate locomotive fleet at Bicester, a cab ride around the extensive site, and a close look at marshalling operations featuring loose shunting and 'pick up' freights.

This exciting programme allows the viewer to explore all aspects of Britain's biggest military railway, which was originally built during 1941. Also included are many interesting interviews, not least, the reminiscences of Ernest Lawton, co-author of the recently published book about the railway, who was a driver at the Bicester Military Railway during the Second World War.

This video is an essential companion to Earnest Lawton's fascinating historical book and is certain to please anyone with an interest in Britain's military railways.

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 1992 on VHS, much later on DVD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 45-mins (0hr 45min)

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Ref: TR818D

Price:£30.00

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Like our first look at the Bicester Military Railway, this is a unique chance to go 'behind the scenes' in an area that is definitely out of bounds to visitors. The Base Ammunition Depot at Longtown near Carlisle, which is connected to the west coast main line by a lengthy spur that once ran on to the Waverley route, has a very interesting and colourful history. Behind the high security perimeter fences is a very extensive military system that is not normally open to visitors. All internal shunting is carried out by five Vanguard locomotives built by Thomas Hill between 1977 and 1982. Also on the stock list are two Baguley-Drewry railcars built in the 1970s, which are still used to carry personnel around the depot today.

The main Longtown depot is connected to a separate storage site at nearby Smalmstown, by means of a short link over British Rail metals. This involves tracing part of a spur that once linked the Waverley route with the West Coast main line at Gretna and which closed to through traffic 1969. Part of this spur also forms the main rail access route into the Longtown depot, but despite the fact that it only carries MOD traffic, it is still owned and maintained by BR.

As well as current day operations at Longtown, Eastriggs just across the border in Scotland, which also comes under the control of Longtown BAD, is thoroughly explored. In particular, we look at the unusual narrow gauge system and transfer facilities at Eastriggs. Also included are interviews with the Longtown Commandant and other members of the railway operating staff.

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 1994 on VHS, much later on DVD.
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 50-mns (0hr 50min)

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Ref: TR827D

Price:£30.00

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On one special tape, TWO complete programmes contrasting the different MOD railway operations at Chilmark, near Salisbury and Marchwood, near Southampton.

RAF Chilmark was a unique ammunition supply depot secretively situated in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside. This video traces the work of this interesting and unique depot during the spring of 1994 when supplies were being transferred to the Nato depot at Glen Douglas in Scotland, prior to the complete closure of Chilmark during 1995. Featured site movements include both standard and narrow gauge locomotives at Chilmark and Dinton as well as the unique narrow gauge railway from the privately owned Chilmark Stone Company Mine situated within the RAF site. As well as pertinent interviews, this programme also features rare archive photographs and one of the unusual underground electric locomotives in operation. The line is connected by a four mile spur from Chilmark to the BR connection at Dinton which utilizes part of the old double track main line from Exeter to Salisbury.

Marchwood MOD base is an extremely busy location that handles the import and export of a vast variety of goods for the MOD. These can range literally from stationery supplies through to tanks. The base which is connected to the main BR line which still runs to Fawley is operated entirely by standard gauge MOD vanguard locomotives. It also includes its own private harbour where goods are loaded onto waiting ships. Very unusually, Marchwood is busy enough to justify its own passenger service, which is featured along with BR movements onto the site.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 61-mins (1hr 1min)

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