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Steam DVDs from Classic Traction
The Return of the Webb Coal Tank
THE RETURN OF THE WEBB COAL TANK is a tribute DVD dedicated to the ground-breaking Keighley & Worth Valley Winter Steam Gala, which was held over the 10th - 12th February 2012, and which saw the unveiling of LNWR Webb Coal Tank 0-6-2T 58926 in BR black. Returning to steam for the first time in 13 years, we see 58926 wearing BR black for the first time in preservation, and we also see the Webb Coal Tank working alongside LNWR Class G2A 'Super D' 0-8-0 49395, which was also masquarading as long scrapped sister 49442, LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T 41241, LMS 4F 0-6-0 43924, Lancashire & Yorkshire 'Ironclad' 0-6-0 957, BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T 80002 and Industrial 0-6-0T 1704 Nunlow, all depicted against the glorious backdrop of the snow covered Yorkshire Dales! In addition, we review some of the finest gala events in recent years, and review the visit of iconic BR Standard 7MT 'Britannia' 4-6-2 Pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell, as well as WD 2-8-0 90733. This DVD illustrates why this former Midland Railway branch is still regarded as one of the finest preserved lines in preservation today, and so join us as the halcyon days of the London & North Western, Lancashire & Yorkshire, Midland, LMS and BR (London Midland Region) are so perfectly recreated by the Keighley & Worth Valley today!
RUNNING TIME: TBC. PRICE: £19.99 + £3 P&P. - OUT 7th MARCH 2012 - PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
RUNNING TIME: TBC. PRICE: £19.99 + £3 P&P. - OUT 7th MARCH 2012 - PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
The Missing Link: Porthmadog to Rhyd Ddu
THE MISSING LINK: Porthmadog to Rhyd Ddu is a tribute DVD to the final phase of the 25 mile Welsh Highland project that now runs from Porthmadog to Caernarfon, and this programme focuses on the final Porthmadog Harbour to Hafod-y-Llyn section, examing trains working over the new Britannia Bridge and Cambrian crossing in Porthmadog, and then on through the Aberglaslyn Pass to Beddgelert, before climbing through Beddgelert Forest through a series of magnificent 'S' curves on a severe 1 in 40 gradient before reaching the summit at Pitt's Head. The DVD examines this with the Festiniog's newest locomotive, replica Lynton & Barnstaple Manning Wardle 2-6-2T 30190 Lyd, recently restored to post 1956 BR black, in order to represent 'what might have been' had the Welsh Highland or Lynton & Barnstaple remained open today. Also included is a review of the Welsh Highland today, and we examine the exsisting section from Rhyd Ddu to Caernarfon, where we see in action pioneer K class Garratt K1, the world's first Garratt locomotive, and former South African NG/G16 Garratts Nos. 138 & 143. The completion of the Welsh Highland project has to be regarded as the preservation marvel of the century, and this programme documents this monument of Festiniog & Welsh Highland history, and is a DVD that is destined to be regarded as a classic as the years pass by! For all those who adore the narrow gauge railways of Wales, this is one DVD you can't afford to miss out on! RUNNING TIME: 67 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Main Line Steam Memories
MAIN LINE STEAM MEMORIES is a tribute DVD to some of the very finest main line steam action that has been observed through the breathtaking landscape of the British Isles in recent years. In this programme we see an amazing cast of over 15 steam locomotives at work on the National Network, working from Cornwall to Kent, and as far north as the Highlands of Scotland. Included are such locomotives as GWR 'Hall' 4965 Rood ashton Hall, GWR 'Castle' class 5029 Nunney Castle, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, 5051 Earl Bathurst, GWR 'King' class 6024 King Edward I, and 94xx 0-6-0PT 9466. Also included is SR 'King Arthur' 30777 Sir Lamiel, SR 'Battle of Britain' 34067 Tangmere, LMS Black Five 44871, LMS 'Princess Royal' 6201 Princess Elizabeth, LNER A4 Pacific 60019 Bittern, the iconic new build A1 Peppercorn Pacific 60163 Tornado, LNER K4 2-6-0 62005 Lord of the Isles, BR Standard 7MT 'Britannia' Pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell & BR Standard 8P 71000 Duke of Gloucester. Some of the many highlights include Nunney Castle & King Edward I working the 'Cornish Riviera Express' through Cornwall and across Largin Viaduct (illustrated above), Duke of Gloucester storming Honiton bank on the 'Cathedrals Express,' ALL THREE 'GREAT BRITAIN' charters, Tangmere on the 'Golden Arrow' and in so doing becoming THE FINAL SR Bulleid Pacific to work a train out of Folkestone Harbour, K4 62005 on the summer dated 'Jacobite' workings to Mallaig, and 9466 on the first steam workings on the Looe branch in 50 years! This DVD also contains such unique combinations as Nunney Castle double-heading with Bittern, 60163 Tornado & 6024 King Edward I, and a 'Battle of Britain' and 'King,' all working over the formidable South Devon banks! We see Tornado as she tackles the challenging 1 in 42 gradient of Dainton & Hemerdon banks, as she becomes the VERY FIRST PEPPERCORN A1 PACIFIC to reach Plymouth! This programme captures the very finest in main line steam action over the years 2005 - 2011, and is sure to be regarded as the defining testament of British steam at it's zenith!
RUNNING TIME: 75 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 75 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
71000: The Power of the Duke
71000: The Power of the Duke is a DVD that is devoted to exploring the myths and legends behind the most powerful Pacific at work in the British Isles today, the legendary BR Standard class 8P 4-6-2 Pacific 71000 Duke of Gloucester. 71000 was built at Crewe Works in 1954, and was the only 3 cylinder locomotive to be built as part of the BR Standard design building programme, but with impending dieselisation, her BR career was always going to be short lived. Withdrawn after just 8 years service in November 1962, she arrived at Barry scrap yard in South Wales in October 1967, and with one of her three cylinders removed and sectioned for display in the Science Museum, her restoration was always going to be regarded as nothing short of a 'miracle of preservation.' This programme explores the 'Duke' as she works on the main line, and we see 71000 as she storms along the world famous Settle & Carlisle, as she climbs Honiton bank on the Waterloo route to Exeter, before passing along the iconic sea wall between Dawlish & Teignmouth, and as she climbs the formidable South Devon banks, where we see her climbing Rattery and Hemerdon banks to reach the naval city of Plymouth. We also see the 'Duke' at work on preserved lines, including at her home at the East Lancs, as well as on the North Yorkshire Moors, Mid Hants & Severn Valley. Finally, as if all of this wasn't enough, we conclude with a review of 71000 working the summer dated 'Torbay Express' workings over the Paignton & Dartmouth to Kingswear! This is a DVD that is destined to become a classic, as the interest in this wonderful and unique Pacific locomotive shows no signs of abating! RUNNING TIME: 64 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Steam returns to the Looe branch
Steam returns to the Looe branch is a tribute DVD to the iconic return of Great Western steam to the Looe branch in September 2010. Celebrating the branch's 150th anniversary, this programme looks back at both weekends of steam operation on the branch, taking an in-depth review from the lineside as the first steam working in almost 50 years passes through the Looe Valley. Also included is on-train footage behind GWR 94xx 0-6-0PT 9466, the FIRST EVER Hawksworth pannier tank to work on the line, and veteran English Electric type 5 / class 37/5 37685, once such a familiar sight on china clay trains to and from Moorswater. This DVD also reviews the diesel-hauled sections of the tours, including the 'Devonian' charters, which 37685 worked from Solihull, and the 'Royal Albert' charter which saw 37685 & 9466 top n' tail a 'local' working once again between Plymouth & Liskeard. As if all of this wasn't enough, also included are some rare archive photographic images from the 1960s & 1970s from Classic Traction Images, illustrating just how the branch used to look in it's former years! This is a wonderful DVD to celebrate not only 150 years of the branch, but 175 glorious years of the GWR - brought to you courtesy of Classic Traction!
RUNNING TIME: 65 mins PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 65 mins PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
The Southern returns to North Cornwall
The Southern returns to North Cornwall is a tribute DVD to the ground breaking gala that was held on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway during September 2010, which witnessed the greatest gathering of former Southern locomotives in Cornwall for nearly half a century! Included in this programme are former LSWR Beattie 2-4-0WT 'well tanks' 30585 & 30587, LSWR M7 0-4-4T No. 53 in Southern wartime black (visiting from the Swanage Railway) and the long awaited debut into passenger traffic of the iconic LSWR T9 Greyhound 4-4-0 30120, working for the first time in Cornwall in almost 50 years! In addition to this, this DVD also reviews two photographic charters which recreated such trains as the 3.13pm Padstow - Exeter Central perishables of the late 1950s. We conclude by briefly reviewing the repainting into BR black of resident GWR pannier tank 4612 as former Wadebridge allocated pannier 4666. This DVD also includes on-train footage of the T9 as she tackles the severe 1 in 37 gradients of the Bodmin & Wenford! So, if you want to remember a Padstow working from the 1950s, when T9s worked to the Far West, then this is the ideal programme fo you! RUNNING TIME: 65 mins. PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
The Bluebell: 50 glorious years
On the 7th August 1960, the world of steam locomotive preservation changed forever when the Bluebell operated the very first preserved standard gauge steam hauled passenger service. This programme is a tribute to that iconic railway, as we examine some of the vast array of engines that have worked over the line in recent years. Included in this DVD are locomotives from the Bluebell's earliest days, such as LBSCR class A1X 'Terrier' 672 Fenchurch, LBSCR E4 0-6-2T 32473 Birch Grove and the iconic Great Western 90xx 'Dukedog' 9017 Earl of Berkeley, to South Eastern & Chatham veterans Nos. 65 & 592, to the mighty Bulleid Pacifics, such as 21C123 Blackmoor Vale, 34007 Wadebridge, 34028 Eddystone and 34081 92 Squadron, together with BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T 80151, one of the final steam locomotives to be built by BR at Brighton. We conclude with a review of the rebuilding of the line to East Grinstead, as we see class 73/1 electro-diesel E6043, aptly named Perseverence, as she hauls spoil from Imberhorne cutting, as the Bluebell inches closer to their ultimate goal! If you love the Southern Railway, and are a fan of the Bluebell, then celebrate their 50th anniversary in style with this DVD - brought to you courtesy of Classic Traction!
RUNNING TIME: 82 mins. PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 82 mins. PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
Cornish Branch Line Memories
Cornish Branch Line Memories is a tribute DVD to the diverse and fascinating variety of branches that can be seen throughout the Royal Duchy. From the steam worked Bodmin & Wenford Railway, to the holiday branches of St Ives and Newquay, to the freight only Parkandillack branch, this programme carefully examines the variety of traffic that can still be seen on Cornwall's branch lines. We primarily investigate the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, witnessing steam in action during their GWR175 'Winter Steam-Up' and Cornish Branch Line galas, which featured such locomotives as former LSWR Beattie well tanks 30585 & 30587, GWR 64xx 0-6-0PT 6435 and GWR Prairies 5521, 5526 & 5552, and in addition, we also see GWR 42xx 2-8-0T 4247, now almost 100 years old. By contrast, we review the 'East Lancs Champion' charter of May 2010, worked by D1015 Western Champion & class 40 40145 East Lancashire Railway, as we see them working along the Cornish main line, and making history, bt becoming THE FIRST EVER class 40 to visit St Ives and Newquay. Next, we include extremely rare diesel footage as 37401 (a former ex Scottish class 37/4 and rare in the West!) and 37670 (a former local St Blazey machine, as they visit the Parkandillick branch with the 'Cornish Parker' charter during May 2009. Finally, Great Western steam on the main line is not forgotten, as we reflect on how generations of holidaymakers would have made their way to the cornish branches, as we see 5029 Nunney Castle and 6024 King Edward I as they head the 'Cornish Riviera Express' over Forder Viaduct and through the Glynn Valley. If you want to recapture the spirit of a bygone age of steam and the local branches they served, then this is the programme for you! RUNNING TIME: 86 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
South Devon Spirit
South Devon Spirit is a tribute to the ground-breaking Easter gala that was held on the South Devon Railway during April 2010. This momentous event included the visit of two of the largest and most famous steam locomotives to ever visit the line in the form of BR Standard 7MT 'Britannia' 4-6-2 Pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell and recently overhauled LMS 'Black Five' 4-6-0 44871. In addition, we see the line's resident locomotives recreating a typical Great Western branch line, as 5526 works auto trains and 5786 hauls milk trains alongside the River Dart. This programme also includes a review of the South Devon's 40th anniversary gala, which featured locomotives such as GWR Prairies 5526, 5542 & 5552, Panniers 5786 & 6435, and South Wales coal tank 6695. We conclude with a review of the 'Royal Duchy' and 'Great Britain III' charters, as 44871 & 70013 Oliver Cromwell battle against the severe and testing gradients of the South Devon banks. For all those who want to remember the GWR in their 175th anniversary year, then this is the perfect DVD for you! RUNNING TIME: 94 mins. PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
Great Western Standards
Great Western Standards is a tribute to the 'Standard Revolution' gala that was held on the West Somerset during March 2010. This DVD celebrates the part that the BR Standard designs played in the evolution of locomotive design on the Western Region. This gala featured such locomotive legends as the unique 3 cylinder class 8P Pacific 71000 Duke of Gloucester, BR Standard 9F 2-10-0s 92203 Black Prince & 92212, and BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T 80104. We also review the 'Great Western 175 Prelude' gala that was held in October 2009, which included such locomotives as 4953 Pitchford Hall, 5029 Nunney Castle and 6024 King Edward I, as they work hard over the tortous gradients of the West Somerset. Finally, also included is a review of BR (WR) 78xx 'Manor' 4-6-0 7822 Foxcote Manor and GWR 50xx 'Castle' 4-6-0 5051 Earl Bathurst, as they recreate a holiday excursion from the 1950s, as they storm through the Quantock Hills! This programme is a wonderful way to reflect upon the evolution of Swindon's locomotive policy, and celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway in style! RUNNING TIME: 90 mins. PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
Quantum of the South
Quantum of the South is a tribute DVD dedicated to the ground-breaking 'Great Spring Steam Gala' that was held on the Mid Hants in March 2010. This event included the first ever visit of new build LNER A1 Peppercorn Pacific 60163 Tornado, and the gala also included LNER A4 Pacific 60019 Bittern, GWR 52xx 2-8-0T 5224, SR 'LN'
4-6-0 850 Lord Nelson and BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 92212. In addition, we review some of the line's most exciting galas in recent years, including the 'Named Trains' event of 2009, which witnessed the re-entry into traffic of 9F 92212, as well as the visit of LNWR 'Super D' 49395, and residents SR 'West Country' 34007 Wadebridge and SR USA tank 30075. This programme also investigates the 'Big Four' gala of 2008, which featured LMS Ivatt tanks 41241 & 41312, GWR 49xx 'Hall' 4936 Kinlet Hall and GWR 50xx 'Castle' 5029 Nunney Castle. As if all of this wasn't enough, we also briefly review LBSCR class A1X 'Terrier' 55 Stepney's visit in 2006, together with the reviews of resident locomotives such as BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 73096, and the Mid Hants' flagship, SR Merchant Navy 4-6-2 Pacific 35005 Canadian Pacific. We conclude this magnificent cast of 16 different locomotives with a review of the visit of legendary BR Standard 8P 4-6-2 Pacific, 71000 Duke of Gloucester in 2006. This DVD is a must for all devotees of this popular railway, and will be destined to become a classic to the ultimate in steam super-power!
RUNNING TIME: 103 mins. PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
4-6-0 850 Lord Nelson and BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 92212. In addition, we review some of the line's most exciting galas in recent years, including the 'Named Trains' event of 2009, which witnessed the re-entry into traffic of 9F 92212, as well as the visit of LNWR 'Super D' 49395, and residents SR 'West Country' 34007 Wadebridge and SR USA tank 30075. This programme also investigates the 'Big Four' gala of 2008, which featured LMS Ivatt tanks 41241 & 41312, GWR 49xx 'Hall' 4936 Kinlet Hall and GWR 50xx 'Castle' 5029 Nunney Castle. As if all of this wasn't enough, we also briefly review LBSCR class A1X 'Terrier' 55 Stepney's visit in 2006, together with the reviews of resident locomotives such as BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 73096, and the Mid Hants' flagship, SR Merchant Navy 4-6-2 Pacific 35005 Canadian Pacific. We conclude this magnificent cast of 16 different locomotives with a review of the visit of legendary BR Standard 8P 4-6-2 Pacific, 71000 Duke of Gloucester in 2006. This DVD is a must for all devotees of this popular railway, and will be destined to become a classic to the ultimate in steam super-power!
RUNNING TIME: 103 mins. PRICE: £19-95 + £3 P&P.
Severn Valley Reunion
The Severn Valley Railway over the last 40 years has firmly established itself as one of the United Kingdom's finest preserved railways. In 2010, the railway celebrates 40 years since the inaugeration of passenger services between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade in May 1970, and during this programme we celebrate this achievement through the Severn Valley Reunion gala that initiated the railway's 40th anniversary celebrations. This gala brought together locomotives that had been stalwarts of the line from the Severn Valley's conception, including GWR 45xx Prairie 4566, GWR 57xx Pannier tanks 5764 & 5786 (visiting from the South Devon), GWR 66xx 0-6-2T 6695, GWR 78xx 'Manors' 7802 Bradley Manor & 7812 Erlestoke Manor, LMS Stanier Mogul 42968, LMS 'Flying Pig' 43106, LMS Ivatt Mogul 46443, LNER K4 61994 The Great Marquess and BR Standard 2MT 78019 (from the Great Central). This DVD is destined to become a classic as we reflect upon the event that started the Severn Valley's 40th anniversary celebrations!
RUNNING TIME: 80 mins. PRICE £19-95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 80 mins. PRICE £19-95 + £3 P&P.
Lostock Hall Memories
Lostock Hall Memories is a ground-breaking tribute DVD that is dedicated to the memory of the former shed at Lostock Hall in Lancashire, as remembered through the Great Central's winter steam gala of January 2010. Hosting an array of former LMS & BR power, including LMS Black Fives 44767 George Stephenson & 45231, LMS 5XP Jubillee 5690 Leander, LMS 8F 2-8-0 48305, BR Standard 7MT 'Britannia' 4-6-2 Pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell and BR Standard 2MT 78019. In addition to all of this, we see the launch into traffic of LMS 'Jinty' 47406, and the visit of BR WD Austerity 2-8-0 90733 in October 2009. Our tribute to the finale of steam on BR concludes with a review of the '1968: Steam Finale: gala of 2009, which witnessed the FIRST EVER visit of North Eastern Railway Q6 0-8-0 63395 from her home on the North Yorkshire Moors. As an added bonus, Classic Traction was given rare cab access to the Q6, so witness the spirit of the end of steam as we travel along the Great Central Main Line hauling a rake of 16 ton mineral wagons! This DVD is surely destined to become a classic, as in combination with rare archive photographic material from the 1960s, courtesy of Classic Traction Images / Bernard Mills, we recall the final days of steam! This is a programme that no true steam enthusiast will want to miss out on!
RUNNING TIME: 92 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 92 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Legacy of the A4s - 75th anniversary edition
The LNER A4 Pacifics, which were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and introduced in 1935, are regarded by many as the ultimate in steam locomotive evolution. Designed to haul the LNER's principal express services along the East Coast Main Line, their performances became legendary, with 4468 Mallard achieving a world speed record of 126 mph on the 3rd July 1938, a record which steam traction still holds to this day. During the course of this programme we investigate this legendary class by examing three A4s at work over the length and breadth of this country, namely, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, 60009 Union of South Africa and 60019 Bittern. We see the first gathering of three LNER A4s in steam since 1966, as they are reunited during the North Yorkshire Moors' LNER Festival of 2008, as well as 'Bittern' hard at work on the Mid Hants and West Somerset Railways. We include on-train footage of 'Sir Nigel Gresley' as she works hard over the tortous and testing gradients of the North Yorkshire Moors! This programme also includes features on 'Union of South Africa's now infamous stalling on Goodrington Bank with the 'Torbay Express,' and her subsequent rescue by 7827 Lydham Manor. We also see when No. 9 had to come to the aid of a stricken class 52 'Western' diesel-hydraulic! All this, and much, much more is included in this DVD which is destined to become a classic for all devotees of Gresley's A4 Pacifics! RUNNING TIME: 96 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Great Western Dawn
Great Western Dawn is a tribute DVD that celebrates the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway. This programme focuses on events that launched this very special anniversary year, which started with the GWR175: The Prelude gala on the West Somerset, which included such iconic GWR locomotives as 4953 Pitchford Hall, 5029 Nunney Castle and 6024 King Edward I, to GWR 66xx 0-6-2T 6695 and 52xx 2-8-0T 5224. Also included is a review on autumn steam on the South Devon, featuring GWR Prairie 5526, to the Cornish Branch Line gala that was held on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in 2010. See the 175th anniversary started in fine style as GWR Prairie 5552, together with GWR 2-8-0T 4247, GWR 64xx Pannier 6435 and LSWR Beattie 'well tank' 30587 climb the testing gradients of the Bodmin line in sub-zero conditions! We also see steam hard at work on the main line, as 'King Edward I' and 'Earl Bathurst' tackle the severe gradients of Hemerdon, Rattery and Dainton. We also examine BR 'Britannia' 4-6-2 Pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell, as she works the 'Devonian' charter to Plymouth, and as the 'Brit' double-heads with class 52 'Western' diesel-hydraulic D1015 Western Champion on the 'Royal Duchy,' she becomes the first diesel-hydraulic and steam pairing over the South Devon banks since the 1960s. Finally, we also include a review of the 'Great Britain' in the west, as SR 'Battle of Britain' 34067 Tangmere and 70013 Oliver Cromwell tackle the 1 in 42 gradient of Hemerdon Bank! This DVD is destined to become a classic, so if you want to celebrate the 175th anniversary of God's Wonderful Railway in style, then this is the DVD for you! RUNNING TIME: 74 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.