British Transport Films Collection

A film giving instruction in the normal maintenance tasks which have to be performed by a permanent-way gang of four men. It shows how all types of fastening on both bullhead and flatbottomed track are maintained; details the maintenance of rail joints; shows how 'hanging' sleepers should be repacked, and deals with the preservation of correct cant and alignment on curves.

Continuing the study of the normal tasks performed by a permanent-way gang, this film deals with the maintenance of switches, common crossings and obtuse crossings. These are the fundamental units from which all track layouts, however complicated are built up.

The Channel Islands have had a varied and exciting history. Jersey and Guernsey are ideal places for holidays. Jersey offers a wide variety of attractive bays for sport and relaxation; Guernsey still preserves something of an eighteenth-century atmosphere, and is a place for quieter enjoyment. It is an ideal centre for exploring the other smaller islands, and the film ends with a journey by boat to Herm

This is the story of the founding and development of the BRS General Haulage trunk services. Through the eyes of a driver who has been on the road for 30 years we see the development of the services and the introduction of the latest ideas and equipment, including radio control of vehicles, sea-going ferries, the BRS teleprinter network and the building of 'glass' lorries. The story ends in the evening when the 'trunkers' report for duty at Hampstead depot to take their vehicles off once more on the long night haul to the North

The operational procedures necessary for the working of traffic of a double line over a single line of rails during repairs.

The operating procedures necessary for protection on a double track in the event of a mishap to a train which fouls the opposite line. The film also illustrates steps to be taken by station staff in such an emergency, and then shows how normal working is resumed.

Believe it or not, ski-ing, canoeing and pony trekking are major sports in Scotland. Not yet comparable with fishing, perhaps, or sailing on the Clyde. As for the mountains, the Black Cuillin of Skye calls to rock climbers the world over, as Gleneagles calls to golfers. All these sports are not only matters of colour, excitement and humour, but also of knowledge and skill

St. Christopher's - for the children of Railway Servants. About a hundred children are cared for here and this film gives a selection of scenes from a typical day: the breakfast mail, a boy with a problem, a girl with a worry, a visit from two widowers, a birthday tea-party. And most problems are solved by the time the little ones are tucked away in bed

A film - not only for school leavers - about one of the most responsible and professional jobs on British Railways. Practical work in shop and signal box, on gantry and by trackside, coupled with instruction in mechanics, electricity, electronics and draughtsmanship, lead the apprentice into the intricacies of design, the excitement of research and experiment, and the intense satisfaction of being in on a big 'changeover' from old semaphore signalling to a new colour-light scheme

Two and a half million passengers every day all over the country; thousands of trains, each to be cleaned at the end of its journey. This film shows in detail the various types of cleaning undertaken at stations, between journeys and at cleaning depots.

The tale of an extremely difficult piece of transportation. A transformer, weighing 123 tons, is required for a remote site at Blaenau Ffestiniog in the Welsh mountains. First the rail and road journey must be planned, then the transformer designed to cope with the complexities of the route; and finally the special transportation equipment and experienced crews must carry the job through

The electrification of the London Midland Region main line between London, Manchester and Liverpool at 25KV AC, using overhead wires and drawing supply from the National Grid, was a major undertaking involving civil, electrical, mechanical and signal engineering of a complex and advanced nature. This film depicts some aspects of the problems involved and of the unprecedented operations which were carried out

The re-signalling of 1000 track miles from the River Weaver to the Clyde brings the whole line from London to Glasgow under one system of push-button control and colour light signals, and completes the main line electrification. The film follows the intricate production of equipment, and its installation over, under and between trains. The whole project adds up to a piece of modern technology unsurpassed anywhere in the world.