Diesel DVDs from Classic Traction:
Return of the Maybachs
Return of the Maybachs follows on from Classic Traction's previous DVD devoted to the iconic class 52 'Western' diesel-hydraulics, Maybach Legacy. Filmed during 2008 & 2009, this programme focuses on D1015 Western Champion's main line exploits over the last few years, encompassing such locations as the North Wales Coast to Holyhead, her epic charter to Kyle of Lochalsh and the Scottish Highlands, to covering new hydraulic ground as D1015 visits Blaenau Ffestiniog, Scarborough and York. In addition to these revolutionary and ground-breaking charters, we see Western Champion as she pilots BR Standard 7MT 'Britannia' 4-6-2 Pacific 70013 Oliver Cromwell with the 'Royal Duchy' charter in April 2009 - the first hydraulic and steam pairing over the South Devon banks since 1961! These are just some of the many highlights to be seen in this twin engined 65 litre Maybach V12 filled DVD, as D1015 is seen at speed along some of the most challenging stretches of main line in the country! This is a programme that all devotees of these iconic and legendary locomotives will want to savour for years to come!
RUNNING TIME: 77 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 77 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Maybach Legacy: Western Champion
Maybach Legacy follows on from the success of Classic Traction's first hydraulic DVD: Power of the Maybachs, and is devoted to the legacy that still remains in hydraulic traction. We see D1015 Western Champion hard at work on the main line, from the once familiar ground of the Paddington to Penzance main line, to ground-breaking tours over the Settle & Carlisle, the Central Wales line, and to the Swanage Railway, where she became the first hydraulic to work over the line's recently reinstated connection with the national network. Dedicated to the years 2005 - 2008, this will surely be a DVD that all hydraulic fans will want to savour as the years pass, marking a very important period in diesel-hydraulic history.
RUNNING TIME: 66 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 66 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Maybach Pioneer: D832 Onslaught
2008 marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the legendary class 42 & 43 'Warships,' which were concieved out of the V200 class of West Germany, and Maybach Pioneer is a tribute DVD dedicated to this remarkable class. The 'Warships' were set to completely transform and revolutionise express passenger services in the West of England in the 1950s, and at the same time, brought with it the virtual elimination of Great Western steam power in the west. this programme examines the myths, legends and facts behind this mystical class, from conception to preservation and beyond, represented by D832 Onslaught as she tackles the severe gradients of Somerset. Listen to the Maybach magic as her twin V12 MD650 engines reverberate on express and goods services, whether singally or together with classes 25, Brush type 4s, and ofcourse, her larger hydraulic brethren, the class 52 'Westerns,' and this DVD is an absolute must for all Maybach enthusiasts!
RUNNING TIME: 47 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 47 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Tribute to the Class 20s: The legend lives on
The English Electric type 1s, later to become the class 20s, were undoubtably the most successful of all of the pilot scheme diesels, and 228 of these attractive locomotives were built between 1957 and 1967 by English Electric at their Vulcan Foundry in Newton-le-Willows and by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn Ltd. This DVD is devoted to this iconic class, which over the last 50 years has proven to be one of the most mechanically reliable in combination with an aesthetically pleasing design that has seen service on the national network. This tribute DVD is devoted to seeing the class in action over half a century after they first took to the rails, and we witness the class 20's legacy at such railways as the South Devon, Keighley & Worth Valley, with rare footage of 20214 in service on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. This is a programme that all devotees of the early Pilot Scheme diesels will not want to miss out on!
RUNNING TIME: 50 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 50 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Legacy of the Class 25s
Legacy of the Class 25s is a tribute DVD to the Sulzer type 2s, later to become class 25, that were built by BR at Derby, Darlington, Crewe & Beyer Peacock at Gorton in Manchester between 1961 and 1967. This DVD takes a reflective look at one of BR's true workhorses that emerged out of the early diesel period. Including archive photographic material, we examine the class at work in the Plymouth area during 1973 / 1974, before looking at the class in preservation today, where we see examples at work on the South Devon, Paignton & Dartmouth, West Somerset and North Yorkshire Moors Railways. See the class at work double-heading with class 42 'Warships' and class 47s, to working local passenger and goods workings. Also included in this DVD is a photographic gallery feature, depicting the class through the years, establishing this as a DVD fans of this popular class will savour for years to come!
RUNNING TIME: 56 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 56 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
The Legacy of the class 37s
The class 37s have proved to be one of the most versatile and reliable classes that were destined to emerge from BR's decision to mass dieselise its locomotive fleet. This programme looks at the class 37's development from its conception until its final days. We explore the class at work from the Highlands of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall, and we explore the rich and diverse range of liveries that the class has worn, from BR green to Rail Blue, to Large Logo, Railfreight and ofcourse, more modern EWS and DRS liveries. During the course of this DVD we explore 37/0, 37/4 and 37/5 variants, as well as the re-engined Mirrlees and Ruston class 37/9s. Also included is rare cab footage inside 37142 as she trundles down the former china clay branch from Bodmin General to Boscarne Junction. As the throaty exhaust of an English Electric 12 cylinder unit exudes from these type 3s, this is a DVD that all 'Growler' enthusiasts will want to savour again and again. A class that is rapidly approaching its 50th year, and whose popularity shows no sign of abating!
RUNNING TIME: 87 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 87 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Tribute to the class 50s
Tribute to the class 50s celebrates the legacy of these magnificent locomotives, which were the final evolution of the English Electric express passenger diesel. Delivered during 1967 & 1968, the class 50s were the final mixed traffic diesels to be built in Britain, and this DVD examines their legacy, principally through the West Country, with the class being seen at work in Cornwall, Devon & Dorset, working on the National Network and in preservation. Also included is rare archive photographic material of when the class first arrived on the Western Region in 1973, and also shown is the class double-heading with the hydraulics they replaced. The programme concludes with a gallery feature of the class at work on both the Western & Southern Regions. This DVD will quickly establish itself as a classic and the definitive work of this particular class. This is surely a programme that all class 50 enthusiasts will savour for years to come!
RUNNING TIME: 70 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 70 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Power of the Napiers
Power of the Napiers is a tribute DVD to the legendary class 55 Deltics that were introduced by English Electric in 1961. This programme explores the development of this legendary class, from the ground-breaking prototype in 1955, to the 22 production type 5s that were built at the Vulcan Foundry at Newton-le-Willows. This programme investigates some of the myths and legends behind this iconic class, as we see class 55s working the length and breadth of the country, working on the main lines, as well as preserved lines, from deepest Yorkshire to Dorset and Devon. We examine such events as 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier's momentous visit to the South Devon Railway in June 2005, as well as 55022 Royal Scots Grey's visit to Swanage in 2009. So, if you want the full experience of listening to 36 cylinders of Napier power working hard over some of the severest gradients in the country, then this is the DVD for you!
Western Region 1965 - Twin Pack edition
In this special twin pack edition, relive the classic period of early hydraulic dieselisation that was so perfectly recreated on the West Somerset Railway during their highly successful mixed traction Western Region 1965 gala that was held over the 15th - 17th June 2007. Experience in preservation the 'Hydraulic Trinity' of Westerns, Warships and Hymeks as they work goods, local and express passenger workings. Witness the sheer power of double-headed 'Westerns,' as well as 'Warships' piloting 'Westerns,' as the gala recreates Western Region holiday expresses from the 1960s & 1970s. This programme includes class 35 'Hymek' D7076 (visiting from the East Lancs), class 42 'Warship' D832 Onslaught, class 52 'Westerns' D1010 Western Campaigner & D1015 Western Champion, as well as class 14 'Teddy Bears' D9520 & D9526, class 25 D7523 John F. Kennedy and making its debut in preservation, Brush type 4 / class 47 D1661 North Star. This programme has firmly established itself as a classic and represents the definitive work on this now legendary Maybach event! RUNNING TIME: 86 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Diesels in the South West: 1968
Diesels in the South West: 1968 reflects on the transitional period on the Western Region, as steam gradually gave way to diesel-hydraulic, and then ultimately, diesel-electric traction. This DVD was filmed during the West Somerset's mixed traction event in 2008, (of the same name), and features Maybach action in the form of class 42 'warship' D832 Onslaught, class 14s D9520 & D9526, diesel-electrics Brush type 4 D1661 North Star (which was making its debut in preservation), class 33 D6566 and Sulzer type 2 / class 25/3 D7523 John F. Kennedy, as well as class 37 D6737 and class 25 D7612, which were visiting from the South Devon. So now, sit back and recall the year 1968, when Maybach and Sulzer power ruled the West! RUNNING TIME: 56 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Western Region Memories
Western Region Memories is a tribute DVD to the highly successful mixed traction diesel gala that was held over the 12th - 14th June 2009. This event marked the re-entry into traffic of resident class 35 'Hymek' D7017, which had been the subject of a complete engine rebuild, courtesy of the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group, as well as marking the visit of newly overhauled class 52 'Western' D1062 Western Courier from the Severn Valley. As if all of this wasn't enough, we also see class 42 'Warship' D832 Onslaught, Brush type 4 / class 47 D1661 North Star, Sulzer type 2 / class 25 D7523 John F. Kennedy and class 14s D9520 & D9526, as they work hard through the Quantock Hills! In addition, we also review the 2007 and 2008 mixed traction events, which witnessed such classic diesels as class 35 'Hymeks' D7076 from the East Lancs, as well as D1015 Western Champion, and class 25 D7612 and split headcode class 37 D6737 from the South Devon. So, if you want a programme that exudes diesel-hydraulic traction in abundance, and if you want to see 'Warships,' 'Westerns' and 'Hymeks' working hard over the severe and twisting gradients of the West Somerset, then this is the DVD for you! RUNNING TIME: 71 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Southern Region Diesels
Southern Region Diesels is a tribute DVD to the ground-breaking gala that was held on the Mid Hants Railway over the 29th - 31st May 2009. This event not only marked the return of a diesel gala to the railway's calander after an absence of 4 years, but was centred around the classic diesel types that were associated with the Southern Region. The gala featured traditional Southern motive power such as Sulzer / BRCW type 3s / class 33s 33053 and class 73 electro-diesels 73107 Spitfire and 73201 Broadlands (recently reunited with her 'royal' name), but undoubtably the highlight of the event was the FIRST EVER visit of a class 56, namely 56098, but Ruston engined class 37/9 37905 as well, both visiting from the Battlefield line at Shackerstone. As if all of this wasn't enough, we also investigate the Mid Hant's resident DMUs & DEMUs, including class 122 'Bubblecar' W55003 and the line's resident class 205 Hampshire DEMU 1125. If you want to recall the iconic period of early dieselisation on the Southern Region, when green and blue diesels and electro-diesels ruled the rails, then this is the DVD for you! RUNNING TIME: 58 mins. PRICE £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Rail Blue Memories
Rail Blue Memories is a tribute DVD to the iconic BR Rail Blue era of the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and this programme takes a reflective look at this revolutionary colour scheme as represented in preservation today. We do this by examining the superb Swanage Railway diesel gala of 8th - 10th May 2009, which witnessed the first ever visit of a 'Deltic,' a 'Peak' and a class 26 to the Dorset line. See the rail blue era recreated through such locomotives as class 20 20107, class 26 26007, class 33/1s 33103 Swordfish & 33111, class 45/0 'Peak' 45060 Sherwood Forester and legendary class 55 'Deltic' 55022 Royal Scots Grey. Experience this wonderful lost era of diesel haulage as Napier, Sulzer and English Electric power resonates off the Purbeck Hills! RUNNING TIME: 70 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
English Electric Dynasty
English Electric Dynasty explores the development of some of the most successful diesel engines ever to operate in the British Isles. We explore this development within locomotive classes over the last 70 years, from the earliest LMS diesels of the 1940s to classic English Electric power such as the class 20s, class 37s, class 40s, class 50s and perhaps the most famous of them all, the iconic class 55 'Deltics.' This programme examines these legendary classes on both the National Network and on the nation's preserved lines. This DVD is simply a must for all devotees of English Electric locomotives! A programme that all true diesel enthusiasts will want to see again and again! RUNNING TIME: 85 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Maybachs, Moors & Lochs
Maybachs, Moors & Lochs is a tribute DVD dedicated to the historic and ground-breaking 'Western Chieftain' charter, which was organised in conjunction with the Diesel Traction Group, which took class 52 'Western' D1015 Western Champion to Kyle of Lochalsh in June 2009. In addition to witnessing this iconic hydraulic conquer the challenging gradients of Shap & Beattock, see the 'wizzo' as she storms over Druimuachdar Summit, and along the former Highland line to Inverness & Kyle of Lochalsh. This programme concludes with a review of the West Highland line to Fort William, investigating the summer dated steam hauled 'Jacobite' services to Mallaig, as well as reflecting on current Scotrail passenger and DB Schenker class 66 hauled freight operations. This programme is destined to become the definitive testament of a charter that will go down in Maybach history, all brought to you courtesy of Classic Traction! RUNNING TIME: 68 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
Reading Station - A Tribute
Reading Station was originally opened by the Great Western Railway in 1840 to a unique Brunel design. Rebuilt subsequently from the 1870s onwards, this programme takes a unique and final reflection of the station before its massive rebuilding by Network Rail from 2010 onwards, which will see a further 5 platforms constructed. Witness this busy cross-country junction station through a succession of First Great Western HSTs, Cross Country 'Voyagers' and 'Super-Voyagers' and EWS class 66s. As the years progress, this DVD, filmed in 2007 will become an historic classic and the definitive work on Reading Station.
RUNNING TIME: 71 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
RUNNING TIME: 71 mins. PRICE: £19.95 + £3 P&P.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL PRICES INCLUDE POSTAGE & PACKING.