Videos

Steam in New South Wales - Part 2

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, locomotive 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, the second of the "Steam in New South Wales" series, we have the opportunity to again look back at the steam workings of the 1960's. Contemporary scenes are shown so that comparisons can be made with what was once a busy and labour intensive rail system.

Areas include:-
The old main Western line from Lithgow to Orange, Wellington, Dubbo and beyond, including the branch line from Nyngan to Cobar.
The line from 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 branch from Campbelltown to Camden, the Picton to Mittagong loop line (old main south line), Yass Town branch and Junee-Goulburn.

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, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 70, 73, 80, 81, 82, 90, XPT, NR & BHP Industrials.

Running Time:- 1hr 7min

Diesels in South Australia 

This superb video is a comprehensive guide to diesels in South Australia and includes archive and modern footage of more than thirty classes of locos and railcars from the vintage 350 class introduced in 1949, to the latest state-of-the-art NR class locos.

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.

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

Double Headers

This is a unique action packed video specifically devoted to double-headed archive footage of the halcyon days of steam in New South Wales. Common and not so common pairings are recorded. eg. 36/38, 59/38, 36/36 and much much more !!

Emu Bay Railway Centenary

Dramatic scenes from the special 1997 celebrations in Tasmania including four steam locomotives on one train ! Also features archive footage from the 1960's to complement this unique recording of scenes perhaps never to be seen again.

Pichi Richi Railway

Features current operations of locos pounding through the famous Flinders ranges of South Australia on this historic railway once an important part of the Ghan route. Also includes archive footage and a special look at the unique "coffee-pot".

Pigs & Pacifics

The C36 & C38 class locos are given special treatment in this video which includes interesting archive footage of two of the most popular steam loco classes. As a supplement the last years of steam working on the Belmont branch is also featured making this video of genuine historical interest.

Power Of the Garratts

Superb No. 1 best seller

Dramatic archive footage covering all states except WA also including original Beyer-Peacock works shots of NSW 60 class being assembled and steamed in UK prior to shipment to Australia. A video steam fans should not be without.

Power of the Garratts (Part 2)

The follow up video to the best selling first release, offers more mouth watering Garratt scenes. The 60 class of NSW (including double-heading between Molong & Orange), the 400 class of SA, MSA class of WA, industrial Garratts in Victoria & the restored QR Garratt. Plus some superb scenes of the Garratts in South Africa & Zimbabwe. This is a tape, no true lover of steam should be without !

Shed Scene

This unique video takes an evocative look at the home of the working steam locomotive, the shed! Features archive and contemporary film of steam locos on shed both in Australia & overseas with scenes and explanations of railwaymen at work performing various 'shed' duties.

Steam in Australia (Part 1) 

Australia's first video guide to preserved steam railways. Features NSW and Victoria includes Puffing Billy, Timbertown, Zig-Zag, Lachlan Valley, Castlemaine etc.

Steam in Australia (Part 2)

The second video guide to Australia's preserved steam railways. Features a variety of lines in Queensland including archive QR steam action from the 1960's. Also NSW Rail Transport Museum segment.

Steam in Australia (Part 3) 

The third in the series this time featuring W.A. and S.A. preserved and archive steam action. Includes Hotham Valley, Pichi-Richi, Old Ghan, Port Dock, Bennett Brook and much, much more.

Steam in Australia (Part 4)

The fourth and final in the Steam in Australia series highlights Australia's smallest state. Tasmania. Extensive archive footage from the 1960's plus various last steam specials in the 1970's and an up-date look into the preservation era.

Steam in Britain (Part 1)

Comprehensive coverage of Britain's preserved lines standard and narrow gauge. Includes Severn Valley Rly, Bluebell etc., Also main line specials.

Steam in Britain (Part 2)

Second in series covering more of Britain's preserved lines standard and narrow gauge. Includes North Yorks Moors, Great Central etc., also 'Flying Scotsman' in BR guise.

Steam in Britain (Part 3)

The steam in Britain series offers comprehensive coverage of standard and narrow guage preserved lines, including scenes filmed during various "enthusiast weekends".

Steam in China

Award winning video with mouth watering scenes of double and triple headed steam power set against the often harsh but magnificent Chinese scenery. Filmed in 1988. One for the collection.

Steam in East Germany

Beautiful action shots of the former German Democratic Republic narrow gauge lines featuring no less than nine separate systems in varying weather conditions. A great combination of sun, steam and snow.

Steam in Indonesia & Turkey

Fascinating tape featuring an incredible variety of locos hauling cane trains in Java, heavy oil palm trains in Sumatra and standard gauge action in Turkey.

Steam in Pakistan & India

India in 1988 and Pakistan in 1990 featuring superb action of operational steam including twelve different loco classes on broad, metre and narrow gauge. A real gem !

Steam in South Africa (Part 1)

1986 action of regular operations including Garratts, 19D's, NG15's and the last surviving 12AR. Classic shots featuring 25NC and 26 Red Devil, also three steam motive power depots.

Steam in South Africa (Part 2)

Exciting archive footage filmed in 1970 from the camera of Lindsay Crow when SA steam was at its zenith. Over 30 different loco classes are featured in a country second to none for dramatic steam action in superb surroundings.

Steam in South Australia

A classic steam archive video featuring no fewer than eleven locomotive classes on the broad and narrow gauges during the 1960's. Includes rare footage of the 500 class 4-8-4's and an up-dated look at the loco classes into the preservation era.

Steam in Victoria

This video features classic footage of steam scenes in Victoria in the halcyon days of the 1960s. Particular emphasis is given to long closed branch lines, with unique comparisons between the 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 artefacts 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.

Steam in Victoria 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 A 'then-now perspective is 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 under way a little too late to save any of the four members of the class. However, two working 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,
Geclong - Ballarat,
Maryborough - Castlemaine,
Maryborough - Donald.
Dunolly - Inglewood,
Dimboola - Yanac,
& Castlemaine - Maldon.

Steam in Queensland

Steam in Queensland looks at a number 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.

Steam in Wales

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.

Railways included on this video: Talyllyn Railway, Ffestiniog Railway, Welsh Highland Railway, Llanberis Lake Railway, Snowdon Mountain Railway, Bala Lake Railway, Fairbourne and Barmouth Steam Railway, Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, Vale of Rheidol Railway, Teifi Valley Railway and Brecon Mountain Railway.

The Cockatoo Run

Take a video trip on the Cockatoo run, up steep grades, with spectacular views from the South Coast to the Southern Highlands of NSW. Travel behind 'Bob' the tank engine as it takes you on a memorable journey, including some interesting local attractions and a special guest appearance of 3801.