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Contact: John Slater
58 Old Brierfield Road, Bellingen NSW 2454 • Ph/Fax +61 2 6655 0228
Email: john@rossrailvideo.com.au

DVDs

Steam in New South Wales

Part 4 The South

In this continuing series, 1960s steam workings are covered south of Moss Vale to the Victorian border and west as far as West Wyalong and Narrandera.

Past/present perspectives are also featured showing significant changes to the railway infrastructure and action on long closed branch lines including Tumut, Tumbarumba, Yass Town and Crookwell.

The final steam hauled Riverina Express in June 1964 is also included.

Locomotive classes include:
Z12, Z13, C310T, C35, C36, C38, D59, Standard Goods.

Running Time – 1 hr 4 min.

Steam in Wales

Narrow Gauge Lines

Steam in Wales takes a look at eleven of the very special and historic narrow gauge railways to be found in that part of the British Isles.

Over thirty different locomotives are shown in a variety of locations, and special cab-ride footage is also included.

Also featured is the 1999 "Railfest Weekend" at the Ffestiniog.

List of railways and locomotives included on this video:

Talyllyn Railway (2ft 3in gauge) No. 1 "Talyllyn", No. 4 "Edward Thomas", No. 6 "Douglas" & No. 7 "Tom Rolt".

Ffestiniog Railway (1ft 111/2in gauge). "Linda", "Blanche", "Mountaineer", "Merddin Emrys" (double Fairlie), "Earl of Merioneth" (double Fairlie), "Prince" & "Taliesin" (single Fairlie). Also visiting locos "Lilla", "Cloister" & "Bronllwyd". Welsh Highland Railway (1ft 111/2in gauge), "Russell" and Garratts No's 138 & 143.

Llanberis Lake Railway (1ft 111/2in gauge). No. 2 "Thomas Bach".

Snowdon Mountain Railway (2ft 7 in gauge rack). No. 2 "Enid", No. 3 "Wyddfa" & No. 4 "Snowdon".

Bala Lake Railway (1ft 111/2in gauge). "Maid Marian".

Fairbourne and Barmouth Steam Railway (121/4in gauge),. "Sherpa", "Yeo", "Beddgelert" & "Russel".

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway (2ft 6in gauge). "Joan", "The No. 823 Countess" & No. 85.

Vale of Rheidol Railway (1ft 113/4in gauge). No. 7 "Owain Glyndwr", No. 8 "Llywelyn" & No. 9 "Prince of Wales".

Teifi Valley Railway (2ft gauge). "Alan George".

Brecon Mountain Railway (2ft gauge). Ex South African Pacific.

Running Time - 1 hr (approx)

Steam in Eastern Europe

This action packed DVD includes comprehensive coverage of eastern European steam filmed between 1974 and 2002.

Six former Eastern Block countries with over 40 locomotive types, featuring the very last pocket of regular revenue earning steam in the world, based at Wolsztyn in Poland.

Broad, standard & narrow gauge locomotives types include:

Russia & Ukraine:
B/G - EM, Er, FD, L, LV, P36, Su, SO & 9P.

Poland:
S/G - Pm2, Pm36, Pt 47, S160, Tkh, Tkt48, Tr12, Ty2, Ty42, Ty43, Ty45, Ty51, Ty246, Ok1, Ok22, OL12 & OL49.
N/G - Px48.

Hungary:
S/G - No's 269 & 204, Yugoslav 01, German O1 & 02.

Romania:
S/G - Ex-German G10, G52, & P8.
Forestry N/G - 763 & 764.

East Germany:
N/G - 'Standard' 2-10-2 tanks, 0-6-0 tank, 0-8-0 well-tank, 2-6-2 tank, 2-8-2 tank & 'Saxon-Meyer' 0-4-4-0 tanks.

Running time - 2 hrs 7 min

Steam in Britain

This bumper Steam in Britain compilation includes comprehensive coverage of standard gauge preserved lines, particularly during 'Enthusiast Weekends'. In addition to preserved railways, exciting material of main line specials, including the Royal Train hauled by Pacific No 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' and scenes on Settle-Carlisle line.

Also included, archive footage of steam on BR in the 1960s.
Including: Settle-Carlisle, Manchester area and the final months of Southern Steam.

Running time:- 2 hours 25 min.

Double Headers

The sight and sound of double headed locomotives would have to be one of the most spectacular experiences of the railway scene during the steam era in New South Wales.

We take an evocative look at the 1960s, including numerous loco combinations and less common pairings.

Locations Include:
Lithgow - Orange
Wallerawang - Mudgee
Orange - Molong
Molong - Parkes
Molong - Dubbo
Orange - Wellington - Dubbo
Sydney - Goulburn
Gosford - Newcastle

Filmed by John Ward

Running time - 1 hr

Diesels in Australia

Queensland: featuring -
Brisbane suburban, Toowomba line, North Coast line, Gladstone/Rockhampton, Longreach line, Mackay, Bowen, Townsville, Mt Isa line, Cairns region.

Loco classes - 1150, 1200, 1400, 1170, 1450, 1250, 1600, 1460/1502, 1270, 1700, 1720, DH, 1300, 2100, 1550, 2350, 2600, 3100/3200 (elect'), 3900 (elect'), 2300, 2800, 4000, and Tilt Train.

New South Wales: featuring -
Main lines, some branch lines. Modern and archive footage from the 1960s.

Loco classes - 40, 42, 421, 422, 43, 44, 442, 45, 46 (elec'), 47, 48, 49, 70, 73, 80, 81, 82, 90, XPT, NR, and BHP industrials.

Victoria: featuring -
Main lines and the historic railway centres of Ballarat, Bendigo, and Maryborough.

Loco Classes - A, B, BL, C, CLF, CLP, DL, G, H, N, NR, J, S, T, Y, X/XR, XP, 49, 81, 700, 930 and Silverton 442.

South Australia: featuring -
Acrhive and modern footage of workings on three gauges across the State filmed by Greg Travers, Peter Attenborough and Bruce Mead.

Loco classes - 350, DE, GM, 900, Silverton units, NSU, 930, 800, 830, DA, 500, 600, BU, NT, CL, CLF, CLP, 700, NJ, AL, ALF, BL, DL, EL, AN, CK, and BHP rebuilds.

Running Time: 2 hr 15 min

Pigs And Pacifics

This DVD takes a special look at two of the most popular and prestigious express passenger locomotives to operate on New South Wales Railways, the C36 class 4-6-0 and the C38 class 4-6-2.

Both types in their heyday were employed on top link passenger duties and were comparable in power rating and performance.

Durin the 1960s as dieselisation took a strong hold, both classes were gradually relegated to more humble freight workings.

Archive footage featuring:
Southern Highlands Express

• Newcastle Flyer
• 36's and 38's on heavy goods workings, including double heading with 60 class Garratts.
• The unique Giesel ejector fitted 3616
• Double-headed 38's on the inaugural 'Spirit of Progress'.
• 3642 in South Australia on the opening of the Whyalla line.
• 3801 & 3813 double heading 'The Western Endeavour'.

Plus rare footage of tank loco 3138 working the entire length of the Belmont branch line during the final years of operation.

Running time:- 1 hour 8 min.

Photos:- Courtesy S.R.A Archives

Diesels in Queensland

The diesel era in Queensland began during the early 1950's to replace an aging steam fleet. Through archive and more recent footage we take a look at the first generation of main line diesels across the State up to the 2600 class built from 1983.

Areas covered include: Brisbane Suburban, Toowoomba line, North Coast line, Gladstone/Rockhampton,
Longreach line, Mackay, Bowen, Townsville, Mt Isa line, Cairns region.

Locomotive classes include:-

1150*, 1200, 1400, 1170,1450, 1250, 1600, 1460/1502, 1270,1700, 1720, DH, 1300, 2100, 1550, 2350 & 2600.
(* Still shots only)

Running Time:- 1hr 12min (approx.)

Diesels in New South Wales

The early 1950's saw the beginning of a remarkable transformation on the railways of New South Wales.

After nearly 100 years of operation, the dominance of steam was finally broken by the introduction of new diesel and electric motive power.

Over the next two decades, steam would gradually give way to a wide variety of diesel and electric locomotives.

Diesels in New South Wales takes a look at over 20 different classes including the now historic 46 class electric locomotives. Modern and archive footage from the 1960's up to the 1990's is included. In addition, there is a brief look at the Silver City Comet, CPH railmotors and the 600/620 etc classes of railcar.

Loco classes featured:
40, 42, 421, 422, 43, 44, 442, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 70, 73, 80, 81, 82, 90, XPT, NR & BHP Industrials.

Running Time:- 1hr 7min

Steam in Queensland

Steam in Queensland looks at a variety of steam workings during the 1960s, many on now closed branch lines. The comparative perspective of "then & now" is also explored, showing various changes over the intervening decades.

In addition, a special look at the working full size replica of "Mary Ann", one of the first pioneer locomotives in Queensland; as well as historic archive footage from the 1930s of a B15 class hauling an early tourist train on the Cairns - Kuranda line.

AREAS COVERED INCLUDE:
Wallan-garra to Brisbane main line - including:-
Cottonvale to Amiens branch.
Wyreema to Millmerran branch.
Toowoomba to Harristown section.
Toowoomba to Harlaxton section.
Toowoomba to Railway - Workshops (Willowburn)
Rosewood to Ipswich.
Rosewood to Birru branch.
Ipswich to Yarraman (Brisbane Valley Line).
Bundamba to Redbank Loop Line.

Locomotive classes include:
B15, PB15, (Stephenson's link & Walschaerts versions), C17, B18 1/4, BB18 1/4, D17, DD17, AC16, A10 & "Mary Ann".

Cover photo and most archive film: John Ward

Running Time: 1hr 8min (approx)

Brisbane (suburban workings):
Breakfast Creek.
Woolloongabba.
South Brisbane to Lota.
Cannon Hill to Brisbane Abattoir branch.
Murrarie to Ampol oil refinery branch.
Ipswich to Bowen Hills.

Cairns area.

Steam Rack Railways

Rack railways based on the rack and pinion system are designed to maximize traction over extreme grades and often difficult terrain.
We take a comprehensive look from both archival and modern perspectives at the West Coast Wilderness Railway in Tasmania.

Other steam operated rack railways covered, ranging from Standard gauge to 800mm include:
Snowdon Mountain Railway, Wales.
Mount Washington Cog Railway, USA.
Manitau & Pikes Peak Railway, USA.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway, India.
Ambarawa Rack Railway, Indonesia.
Achenseebahn, Austria.
Schneebergbahn, Austria.
Rigibahn, Switzerland.
Schynige Platte Bahn, Switzerland

Also included are scenes of the now defunct Austrian Erzbergbahn, Switzerland's Brienz Rothorn and rare archive footage of two former rack systems in Lebanon and Hungary.

Running time - 54 min

Steam in South Australia

Feature:

• Eleven steam locomotive types on regular and special trains during the 1960s on two gauges.
• Rare footage of the mighty 500 class 4-8-4's.

Classes including:

Archive footage, with update coverage (where possible) into preservation.

Running time: 1 hour and 5 minutes approx.
Narration - Mark Carter.

Power of the Garratts - Part 2

In this the second of the Garratt series, we again feature the 400 class of South Australia and the mighty 60 class of New South Wales. Highlights of the latter include scenes of the spectacular double-headed zinc concentrate trains between Parkes and Broken Hill in the 1960s and 6029 on a special working to Victoria in 1980. Further archive footage includes Beyer Peacock and ASG types at work in industrial service at Fyansford in Victoria, and an MSA Garratt in Western Australia, plus more recent scenes featuring the restored Queensland Garratt No. 1009. Whilst no Garratt DVD would be complete without scenes of the giant locos in action in arguably their most successful locations, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Archive and modern footage from the African continent compliments this action packed DVD production.

Running tine - 1 hour 20 minutes

Steam in New South Wales - Part 3 - The North

The third in the series of New South Wales steam during the 1960's features regions north of Newcastle, particularly the scenic New England area.

Other areas featured: Muswellbrook, Werris Creek to Glen Innes, the coastal route as far as Taree, the now closed section beyond Armidale and the former branches to Barraba and Merriwa.

More than a dozen loco classes are shown, including some of the last northern workings of the popular 35 class (NN) 4-6-0's one of which, 3526 is now a working engine in preservation.

Locomotive classes include:
C30, C30T, C32, C35, C36, C38, D50, Standard Goods, AD60 (Garratt), Z12, Z17 & Z19.

Cover photo and most archive film: John Ward

Total running time - 1hr 17min.

Victorian Goldfields Railway and Bellarine Peninsula Railway

Nowhere else in Australia have two historic towns been connected by steam railway. Seen in action, working the entire 16km between Maldon and Castlemaine, two of the Victorian Railway's final working steam classes on the broad gauge.
-K class No 160
-J class No 549
Plus T class (diesel) No 333. With a look back at historic footage of all locos in service prior to preservation.

Bellarine Peninsula Railway

Based at Queenscliff, this unique and picturesque 16km coastal railway connects Queenscliff to Drysdale. Motive power includes a collection of 3ft 6in gauge steam and diesel locos from other states.
-Q.R. PB15 No 454.
-S.A.R. T class No 251.
-T.G.R. M class No 6.
-T.G.R. X class (diesels) No's 3 & 20.
-W.A.G.R. V class No 1209.

Again with a look back in time to each of these loco classes during revenue earning service.

Running time - 1 hour (approx)

Pichi Pichi Railway

Quorn, South Australia is the centre of a remarkable railway operation, the Pichi Richi Railway. The Pichi Pichi Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1973, restoring trackwork between Quorn and Woolshed Flat by 1978, and to Port Augusta by 2001. This stretch of the old Ghan route, a distance of 39 kms is now a major railway attraction in the Flinders Ranges, running trains on a regular basis. The Pichi Pichi Pass is regarded as the most picturesque section of the old Ghan route and can now be appreciated again in the time honoured way, behind steam.

Locos featured:
T class 4-8-0's, No's 186 & 199, W class 4-8-2's, No's 933, 934 & 22, NM class 4-8-0's, No's 25 & 34.
Coffee Pot railmotor, Barwell Bull railcar and NSU class diesel No 52.
Plus archive footage of steam around Quorn.

Running Time 1 hour (approx)

Steam in Victoria Parts 1 & 2 - a newly released DVD that combines two previous video releases

Part 1.

Features classic footage of steam scenes in Victoria in the halcyon days of the 1960's. Particular emphasis is given to long closed branch lines, with unique comparisons between archive material and a modern day update giving a 'then-now' perspective. Regular steam on the main line is also included, again with a look at how the scene has changed, stations closed, vandalised or disappeared. And railway artifacts from the steam age either surprisingly still intact or gone forever.

In addition special workings across the state borders to Deniliquin (NSW), Albury (NSW) & Pinnaroo (SA) are also shown.

Branch line workings include:-
Cudgewa, Mansfield/Alexandra, Healesville/Warburton, Wonthaggi,
Rushworth/Girgarre/Colbinabbin, Daylesford, Skipton, Maldon, Marnoo,
Horsham/Carpolac, Coleraine and Casterton.
Loco classes include:- K, J, R, A2, N, C, Y, X and D3.

Part 2. (The Final Fling)

''Steam in Victoria - Part 2" focuses on regular workings in the 1960's, both on the main line and various branch lines. .The 'then-now' perspective is again explored, showing the many remarkable changes that have taken place on the Victorian railways over the past forty years. Due to a shortage of diesel motive power, the early 1960's saw the re-introduction into regular traffic of previously withdrawn steam locomotives. The remnants of this renaissance saw their 'final fling' well into the decade.

Also, rare archive footage of the celebrated three cylinder S class Pacifics, including scenes hauling the "Spirit of Progress" in the 1930's. Regrettably, the preservation movement got underway a little too late to save any four members of the class. However, two miniature replicas, streamlined S302 and non-streamlined S304, have been constructed. These beautifully crafted locomotives are seen at work.

Line workings include:-
Melbourne-Serviceton, Melbourne-Geelong, Melbourne-Bendigo, Ballarat-Maryborough, Geelong-Warrnambool, Geelong-Ballarat, Maryborough-Castlemaine, Maryborough-Donald, Dunolly-Inglewood, Dimboola-Yanac and Caslemaine-Maldon.
Loco classes include:- K, J, R, D3, N, Y, S and A2.

Total running time - 2hr 20min.

Steam in NSW Parts 1 & 2 - a newly released DVD that combines two previous video releases

Part 1. (Archival and Contemporary)
Featuring:
Eighteen steam locomotive types hard at work during the 1960's in revenue earning service. Including rare footage of the now legendary "Camden Tram" and equally rare material of the ex-ROD Robinson 2-8-0 on the Richmond Vale Railway.

Loco classes include: C30, C30T, C32, C35, C36, C38, D59, D50 & D55, AD60, Z19, Xl0, Z12*, Z17*, Z27* and industrials 10, Kitson, Barclay & Robinson.
* In preservation only.

Cover photo: Roger Gillard

Part 2. (Archival)
The elimination of the steam locomotive in New South Wales was completed by early 1973. The next few years saw the decommissioning of steam maintenance facilities, including workshops, loco depots, water storage tanks and a host of other infrastructure associated with the steam era. Successively over the next decade or so, many branch lines were closed, as well as a number of cross country routes that linked the main arteries or interstate lines. In this second of the "Steam in New South Wales" series, we have the opportunity to again look back at steam workings of the 1960's. Contemporary scenes are shown to show comparison with what was once a busy and labour intensive rail system.

Cover Photo and most archive film: John Ward

Total running time - 2hr 6min.

Areas include:
Lithgow to Orange (old main Western line), Wellington, Dubbo and beyond, including the Nyngan to Cobar branch. Wallerawang to Mudgee, Gulgong and as far as Merrygoen. The Orange, Molong and Dubbo (scenic) line. The Dubbo to Coonamble line as far as Gilgandra. The main Southern line from Sydney to Moss Vale, the Camden branch, the Picton to Mittagong loop line (old main South line), Yass Town branch and Junee-Goulburn.

Loco classes include: Z13, Z19, Z20, Z27, C30, C30T, C32, C36, C38, D50, D53, D55, D57, D59 and AD60.

Steam in Australia DVD

Victoria: featuring -
Puffing Billy Railway, Bellarine Peninsula Railway, Victorian Goldfields Railway, Mornington Tourist Railway, South Gippsland Railway.
Loco classes: Na, G (Garratt), PB15, T, M, V, K, J, D3, Y & R.

New South Wales: featuring -
Michelago Tourist Railway, Richmond Vale Railway, Lachlan Valley Railway, Zig Zag Railway, Glenreagh Mountain Railway, New South Wales Rail Transport Museum.
Loco classes - 30T, Z12, 10, Industrial 0-4-0 tank, Ex R.O.D. 2-8-0, Kitson 2-8-2, TF, C12, BB18 1/4, DD17, D59, Z17, Z19, Z27, C36 & C38.
Plus archive material.

Queensland: featuring -
Swanbank Railway, Rosewood Railway, Railco.
Loco classes - PB15, D17, Industrial 0-4-2 tank, BB18 1/4 & QR Garratt.
Plus archive material.

Western Australia: featuring -
Bassendean Rail Transport Museum, Hotham Valley Tourist Railway, Leschenault Railway, Pemberton Tramway Company.
Loco classes - W , Pm, G & V.
Plus archive material.

Running time - 2 hour 15 min

South Australia: featuring -
Pichi Richi Railway, Steamtown - Peterborough, Cockle Train (SteamRanger), National Railway Museum.
Loco classes - F, T, W, NM, Rx, 520 & 620.
Plus archive material.

Tasmania: featuring -
Don River Railway, Derwent Valley Railway, Tasmanian Transport Museum.
Loco classes - M, MA, C, CCS & H.
Plus archive material

Power of the Garratts

Described as one of the most innovative developments in the history of railway motive power, the Garratt locomotive was designed to optimise the power of two engine units together with a light axle loading; able to negotiate tight curves using its unique articulation.

So popular was the Garratt that it monopolised the most demanding of diagrams across southern Africa, into recent times.

Here the domestic Garratt is featured across five states and three gauges. From the mighty 60 class in New South Wales, to the diminutive but impressive K1 replica in Tasmania.

Archival material is featured along with contemporary footage and restored operations, pounding the grades in no uncertain manner, as only the Garratt can.

Also featured are the comparison shots of Garratts in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Featuring:
Ex-NSWGR 60 class 4-8-4, 4-8-4; S/G
Ex-SAR 400 class 4-8-2, 2-8-4; 3ft 6in
Ex-QR No 1009, 4-8-2, 2-8-4; 3ft 6in
Ex-Emu Bay Railway (Tas) ASG, 4-8-2, 2-8-4; 3ft 6in
Ex-Emu Bay Railway (Tas) BP, 4-8-2, 2-8-4; 3ft 6in
Australian Portland Cement Industrial, 2-6-0, 0-6-2; 3ft 6in
Ex-VR G class, 2-6-0, 0-6-2, 2ft 6in

Running time - 1 hour 10 min

Kuranda Scenic Train DVD

Travel the most scenic and historic railway in Australia; over steep mountain gorges, towering bridges and through fifteen tunnels, en route from Cairns to Kuranda.

Experience the rainforest, a river boat trip and the famous Kuranda Markets, as well as a side trip to the Bally Hooley steam sugar train, in nearby Mossman.

Running Time: 40 minutes

VIDEOS • DVDs • ORDER NOW! • OTHER POPULAR SITES • EMAIL • HOME

Contact: John Slater
58 Old Brierfield Road, Bellingen NSW 2454 • Ph/Fax +61 2 6655 0228
Email: john@rossrailvideo.com.au
© 2003 Ross Rail Video (text & images)

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