Decades of Steam: 1960's (2006)

The 1960's were to see the end of steam locomotion on the public railway network in Great Britain. This, the final part of a series of five 100% archive film programmes, traces the last years of main line steam. The cruel blows of the Beeching 'axe' were to see many branch lines destroyed forever, and the scrapping of their trains. Main line electrification and dieselization would make even the famous 'Duchesses', 'Kings', A4s', and 'Bulleid Pacifics' redundant. However, a small gleam of light appeared on the horizon as railway preservation got underway, but after 11 august 1968 only one steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, was allowed to see out the decade working on the main lines.