British Transport Films Collection

Under the British Railways modernisation plan, diesel traction began to replace steam at a significant pace on many rural lines during the late 1950s. Great emphasis was placed on staff instruction to bring large numbers of locomotive crew up to speed on the new diesel multiple unit rail cars being introduced. A series of films screened in mobile instruction coaches and in motive power training schools helped to teach footplate crews (who were used to a very different environment indeed how to drive these new multiple unit diesel trains. This particular episode in the series deals with the real meat of the training - getting to grips with your train. A Derby 'Heavyweight' unit and a training trip to Skegness are on the cards for us.

Electrification for the passenger meant a more reliable service and faster journeys. For the railway electrical engineer, however, there were some significant hurdles to think about, such as substations, feeder stations and strategic neutral sections to prevent overload on the National Grid. The civil engineers had their hands full too, with considerable bridge and lineside structure rebuilding to be carried out - all while keeping the lines open to everyday traffic. This film examines the trials, tribulations and learning curves that British Railways underwent as it proceeded to install a modern overhead electrified railway. It presents us a technical explanation of just some of the apparatus involved, and difficulties overcome, in a new field of railway engineering at the industrial frequency of 25kv AC.

The seventh in a series of 13 'progress report' - style films made since the ambitios 1955 plans for re-equipping and modernising the railways had started to become reality.

A compilation of driver's-eye footage assembled to highlight the dangers posed to track gangers and permanent way staff when unaware of approaching trains. Have they seen us? Have they heard us? Can they get clear in time?

In the mid-1970s, due to an increased volume and frequency of trains travelling in excess of 100mph on the main lines both through and across junctions, it was necessary to make signal modifications.

Not all British Transport Films were highly polished cinematic masterpieces and it's fitting that the example presented here focuses on the ubiquitous British Rail second-generation rail car, or Rail Bus as they were marketed. Just as the Rail Bus was a low-cost example of public transport, the Audio Visual Tape Slide Presentation was a low-cost example of media presentation. The first generation of rail car was presented in the Diesel Train Driver series but here times have changed and an idea of sampling technology from the road to solve the problem of keeping rural railway lines operational and within budget is shown.

This film features the workhorses that are the train-ferries. These are specially adapted ferry boats capable of taking trains of specialised wagons, allowing them to roll on and roll off at terminals with link-span railheads running right up to the dock side, and connecting into the major rail networks. We see all manner of goods being transported this way as the film illustrates the huge range and volume of bulk trade between the UK and continental Europe, routing between Dover and Dunkirk or Harwich and Zeebrugge up to 10 times a day.

This staff instructional film from 1978 although primarily aimed at those who kept trains clean and tidy for their living, also formed an integral part of the BR strategy around providing a pleasant environment for those using its services, whether for business or pleasure.

A musical journey through the Great Britain and British Rail of the late 1970s, designed to entice and attract foreign visitors to sample the delights of a landscape of castles, lakes, history and romance.

This film takes a look at some of the usually unseen and unsung work of British Rail Parcels Division.

An Inter-City 125 High Speed Train with a streamlined front nose will cut through the air at 125mph, whisking its passengers across the network. However, if that train breaks down and needs a helping hand from another locomotive you are presented with a problem.

Railways in Britain have enjoyed a good reputation in passenger terms for safety, based on the expansive network and the number of miles travelled.

This short feature covers what was a fast-growing part of rail freight business, launched in 1977 under the Speedlink banner and focusing on rail wagon traffic to boost capacity, reduce transit times and provide a dovetailing scheduled service to the continent.