B&R 244 DVD: Great Western Steam Miscellany, Part 7

Description

The Brian Parnell Collection Part 3

The third instalment of all new, and never previously seen, high quality cine films taken by the late Brian Parnell.

In this volume we feature the ex-Great Western system and beyond. Once again it is compiled in the running order of the original cine film.

We begin with scenes at Oxford in the summer of 1963 and the footage includes through trains from the south coast to Birmingham, the still steam-hauled Worcester to Paddington service, plus the longest-lived 9F of all, 92004 (built 1954, withdrawn March 1968).

We then visit the Gloucestershire area for such locations as Lansdown Junction, Cheltenham Spa, Tramway Junction, Gloucester itself plus the Golden Valley push-pull from Gloucester to Stroud, Brimscornbe, and Chalford.

A highlight is at Brimscornbe where the last steam engine built by British Railways, No.92220 ‘Evening Star’ starts a heavy freight up the punishing grade to Sapperton tunnel, complete with rear end assistance.

GWR motive power is seen along the North Downs line and includes Redhill shed, a departure from Redhill station, then along the third rail section to Reigate, Betchworth and Guildford.

The summer of 1963 found Brian in Devon with film at Exeter St. Davids, Tiverton Junction, plus excellent coverage along the Culm Valley branch via Coldharbour Halt and Uffculme to Hemyock and its dairy; a 14xx enthusiast’s delight.

During August 1964 the Cambrian system was visited: Welshpool, Dovey Junction, Aberystwyth, the Vale of Rheidol line, Abertafol Halt, Morfa Mawddach, Barmouth Viaduct, Barmouth and Portmadoc.

There is also film at Southall (three visits in 1964), Birmingham Snow Hill, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester shed, Swindon, Trowbridge, Westbury, Frome, Templecombe, Wadebridge, Boscarne Junction, Hatton and Hatton Bank.

Although Brian had put his camera away by 1965, he did film the GW 150 celebrations some twenty years later in Devon and Cornwall and a few minutes has been included to bring our miscellany of Great Western steam to a close.

Motive power featured includes (in no particular order) classes ex-GWR County, Castle, Hall, Grange, Manor, 43xx, 2251, 72xx, 45xx, 41xx, 56xx, 64xx, 57xx, 94xx, ex-LSWR T9, ex-Southern West Country Pacifics, ex-LMS Stanier Black 5s, Jubilees, 8Fs and Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0s.

Also, BR Standard Class Britannia Pacifics, Class 4 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-4Ts, Class 3 2-6-2T and 9F 2-10-0s (including 92220 ‘Evening Star’ on two occasions).

This nostalgic look at the last years of steam in these areas was mainly filmed between 1963 and 1966.

It is entirely in colour and includes an informative commentary and an authentic sound track.

Approx. 63 minutes.

This DVD is being sold on behalf of and with full permission of the copyright owner – B&R Video Productions.