Rent Marsden Rail 29: Southern Region Steam: Part 2 (2009)
2.5 of 5 from 2 ratings
1h 3min
- General info
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- Synopsis:
Between 1959 and 1968, railway enthusiast Michael Marsden recorded views and sounds of the rapidly changing face of Britain's rail network. For over twenty-five years after steam ended, he captivated audiences throughout the country with his unique film collection that captured the last decade of mainline steam and the full emergence of the diesel locomotive. The blending of this film, and that of other cameramen, with true sounds of the era plus an informative narrative has resulted in the creation of a fascinating programme. This is the second programme in the Marsden Rail series to feature steam locomotives at work on the Southern Region of British Railways and complements Volume 25 'Southern Region Steam - Part One'. The programme starts at London's Waterloo Station and is followed by views at Vauxhall and Clapham Junction. Also included is a journey on the last scheduled regular steam service to operate from Clapham Junction to Kensington Olympia. Leaving the capital on the former London & South Western Railway's route to Southampton, we witness scenes at Guildford, Woking and Worting Junction with a wide variety of steam classes at work. From Guildford's Peasmarsh Junction, the line to Christ's Hospital and Shoreham is traced, with almost every station on this now-closed route featured. Services in and around Eastleigh and Southampton then precede a crossing of the Solent on board a British Railways ferry to the Isle of Wight. At its peak, the Isle of Wight's rail system could boast a route network totalling more than fifty miles served, until 1966, entirely by steam. This fascinating network of island services was handled by ex-LSWR Class '02' 0-4-4 tank locomotives and pre-grouping stock which created an almost "Edwardian" atmosphere. The Isle of Wight scenes, captured on film from the late 1950's until steam traction ended in December 1966, are a major highlight of this absorbing programme. - Studio:
- Cinerail
- Genres:
- Children & Family, Documentary, Special Interest
