New & Recent
Releases
Details below feature our latest releases…
VOLUME 1
Two names predominate in the world of vintage tinplate trains, and whilst there are others, it is Bassett Lowke and Hornby that will be familiar brands to many., In this programme we firstly explore the delights of tinplate trains before featuring a Hornby “O” gauge layout that has been run for over 60 years through the collective devotion of one family, Originally built in 1959 and exhibited in 1960 and 1962 in Malvern by the late Laurence Tandy, Templeford was renovated in 2015 and was exhibited for the first time in 53 years by his children at the HRCA Exhibition in Burnham on Sea in October 2015.
This extensive layout is able to replicate all of the train movements that one might find on a large through station on the full-sized railway in the 1930s, Templeford, still owned and operated by the Tandy family, continues to thrill wherever it goes on display. In this short programme we catch up with those dedicated to its operation and who tirelessly keep this important piece of vintage model railway nostalgia active and for the pleasure of many.
Within the programme there are contributions from Chris Littledale (Brighton Toy & Model Museum), Mike Delany (Vintage Hornby Trains), Michael Whitehouse (Enthusiast and Collector) plus members of the Tandy family.
RT: Approx 40 mins.
BONUS FOOTAGE: Included on this disc is an early short film showing Mr R.R.Callingham’s model village at Bekonscot with Gauge 1 railway.
A black & white silent film gem!
RT: Approx 10 mins.
Note: This programme was scheduled to be completed just as the Covid epidemic hit the UK and because of this the layout was not being displayed; therefore filming remained unfinished. This programme has now been completed as above and the producers are grateful for the patience of all in awaiting its delivery.
Total Running Time Approx 50 Mins.
Produced by Nick Dodson & Bob Avery
© © Railfilms Limited 2019
MOVING DERBYSHIRE INTO CHESHIRE
Limestone has been extracted from the Peak District hills since Roman Times, and has been moved by rail to various places for over a century. For around eighty years dedicated trains of limestone have been rolling into Cheshire – Northwich’s chemical industry, to be precise – and the process is still going on. Join Railfilms Lts as we look at the history of the famous hopper trains – from initial inception by the LMS, through the steam era, trials with early diesels, the classic growl of pairs of class 37s which worked the trains for so many years – through to today’s class 60s and 66s with modern air-braked wagons. You can experience the sight and sound of one of the longest freight flows in the UK which isn’t going to die just yet, and meet the men who made it happen on a daily basis. And there’s a lot more of Derbyshire left to move! Programme contains rare archive from a variety of sources and formats.
Running time approx: 60 mins.
Produced by Nick Dodson & Bob Avery
© © Railfilms Limited 2019
Railway Signalling Explained
Compiled from footage shot by Farran Productions in the 1970s, these four short films provide a fascinating insight into the world of railway signalling at a time when manual signal boxes and semaphore signals were still commonplace.
We visit boxes on the Midland Main Line between St Pancras and Bedford; Windsor & Eton Riverside on the Southern Region;
and Oxford with its railway swing bridge over the canal.
Is line Clear? A Signal Journey from St Pancras to Leicester (colour)
A detailed explanation of how trains are signalled from box to box. Locations include St Pancras, Luton, Leagrave and Harlington, with loco-hauled InterCity trains and local DMUs passing, all in corporate British Rail colours.
The Oxford Swing Bridge (black & white)
We observe the operation of the unusual railway swing bridge at Oxford, which carried tracks serving the Rewley Road goods yard over an arm of the Oxford Canal. Also features A4 Pacific Sir Nigel Gresley passing through Oxford station on a railtour.
Signalling at Windsor & Eton Riverside (black & white)
This film describes the working of the Sykes Lock & Block system of signalling, seen in Windsor & Eton Riverside box. The operation of the adjacent level crossing, using a gate wheel in the box, is also explained.
Trains and Signals: The Making of a Film (colour)
Using additional material and out-takes from the “Is Line Clear?” film, we revisit some of the locations and discover how the film was made. The highlight is a journey from St Pancras to Bedford in the cab of a Peak diesel. We conclude our journey at Leicester, with a brief look inside Leicester North box.
Total RT approx. 60 Mins. B/W & Colour archive. 4:3 format. PAL / DVD
Directed by Mike Hanscomb. Edited by Tim & Matt Stevens
Produced by Farran Productions. Post production assistance by Railfilms Ltd.
Distributed by Railfilms Ltd
- ISLAND LINES - THE ISLE OF WIGHT with PAUL ATTERBURY
Until well into the twentieth century, the Isle of Wight boasted a railway system of fifty-five miles, run by several small individual companies – usually cash-strapped and relying on second-hand locomotives and rolling stock ‘cascaded’ from the mainland.
As the years went by these companies became amalgamated, but chronic shortages of money persisted; once cars and buses had become commonplace, passenger traffic was sparse outside the high holiday season and so the antique character of these rural lines carried through to the present day.
The island’s ‘main’ line is still a part of the national network and relies on electric units dating back to pre-war days. Meanwhile, a restored five-mile heritage line operates a wonderful collection of restored steam locomotives and carriages from the island’s Victorian heyday; were it not for its offshore location, this line would surely be far more widely known and celebrated than it is.
Then programme is presented by BBC Antiques Roadshow’s Paul Atterbury. Paul knew the island from childhood and finds its railways today a wonderful and unique slice of transport heritage – a living antique show in its own right.
This programme has been made with the full co-operation and involvement of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
A map of the railways of the Isle of Wight is printed on the reverse of this sleeve for reference.
Disc 1 Running time approx: 47 Minutes
Produced by Nick Dodson / Railfilms Ltd © 2020.
ISLE OF WIGHT RAILWAY ARCHIVE ALL CHANGE FOR THE ISLE OF WIGHT
This second DVD follows the adventures of an imaginary steam enthusiast who goes to the Isle of Wight in the last months of steam on the iconic Isle of Wight railway system in late 1966. Naturally, he goes via Lymington to enjoy steam on the “Last Steam Branch Line” from Brockenhurst and then on the Paddle Vessel “Farringford” to Yarmouth. Making his way to Ryde via the Island buses as the Cowes line was already shut he catches a steam train from Ryde Pier Head after viewing one of the remaining Paddle Steamers that plied the Portsmouth to Ryde route. All along the way from Pier Head to Shanklin there is evidence of the drastic changes afoot as the line is prepared for electrification and we end with scenes of the last days of steam with strange workings such as top and tailed steam from Ryde Esplanade, wrong line working and, most ominously, ex-LT electric units awaiting the End of Steam.
Enjoy this second disc with 100% archive film of the railways of the Isle of Wight. The many rare views and long lost railway action depicted in this film does not appear in Disc 1 and has not been released on video previously.
Disc 2 Running time approx: 20 Minutes
Produced by Nick Dodson. © Railfilms Ltd © 2020.
- ISLAND LINES – THE ISLE OF MAN with PAUL ATTERBURY
Join Paul Atterbury, (BBC Antiques Roadshow) on his Island Lines Adventure to the Isle of Man. Here time appears to have stood still for the island’s Victorian transport system, and there is much to explore.
The nationalised Isle of Man Steam Railway continues to operate between Douglas and Port Erin, as it always has done since its opening in 1873. Today, those original locomotives continue to haul the original carriages from the railway’s original terminus in the capital Douglas. Paul explores the delights of the Manx railways as celebrations mark 150 years of service and the carriage of thousands of passengers each year.
Rare archive film brings the lost east coast route to Ramsey via St Johns and Peel back to life.
In Part One, as well as the Isle of Man Steam Railway, Paul witnesses the amazing Manx Electric Railway as well as the delightful and historic Groudle Glen Railway. All of which continue to fulfil the functions they were designed and built to serve.
In Part Two, Paul travels to Ramsey via the Manx Electric’s scenic east coast route. He pauses at Laxey to take a trip to the top of the island’s highest point on the Snaefell Mountain Railway (2,036ft high). From the top there are views of the 6 Kingdoms. (The Isle of Man, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland … and Heaven). Also included are the Laxey Mines Railway, the Douglas Horse Tramway and a visit to the Isle of Man Steam Railway’s workshops.
Throughout his visit Paul meets those who support and maintain the various operations and shares their enthusiasm for the value of these unique survivors. ….A transport system that’s said to be in the DNA of the beautiful Isle of Man
Part One / Disc 1 RT: (Approx) 40 Mins
Part Two / Disc 2 RT: (Approx) 32 Mins
Includes Colour and B/W archive film.
Presented by Paul Atterbury. Produced by Nick Dodson. © Railfilms Ltd
Chasing the Challenger on the
Jeremy English and Bob Avery made this Stateside visit in 1999.
The objective was to show the amazing history of America’s first trans-continental railroad against a backdrop of late 20th Century operations.
Stars of the show are the Union Pacific’s active steam locomotives, “Northern” # 844 and the mighty “Challenger” # 3985, that Jeremy described as “the biggest of all big game”.
The two disc DVD set was released in 2003, and also features freight, passenger and museum operations, helicopter footage of the Great Salt Lake crossing, and a “Challenger” carbide.
DISC 1
The Promontory Story
Freight on the Overland Route
Passengers the California Way
DISC 2
Chasing the Challenger
The Great Salt Lake Rail & Air Show
Riding the Challenger
Railfilms Ltd are pleased to release this 2nd edition, largely unchanged but with a few minor revisions.
Filmed by Bob Avery & Jeremy English.
2nd Edition © 2025
