A quick reminder that the most recent productions are available on Blu-ray Discs. If you have an HD-ready TV (and a Blu-ray player, of course), you will see a big improvement over DVD. The following volumes are available (£15 each) in unadulterated 1080i High Definition. The images are as sharp as the camera files.

(read more…)

On two discs, highlights of Clan Line’s exploits during her fourth period of mainline running since preservation.

Part 1 covers her work with the VSOE (latterly Belmond) Pullman trains on regular trips to Bristol, Oxford, Southampton and around the “Surrey Hills” circuit.

Part 2 shows her work on one-off charters, including The Waterloo Sunset on the 40th anniversary of the end of Southern steam, The Eastleigh Centenarian celebrating 100 years since the opening of Eastleigh loco works, several Cathedrals Express tours and her final run to Crewe for overhaul.

Available as a double DVD from the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society, or as a double Blu-ray direct from Steam Age Pictures. All proceeds from this production will go to the MNLPS.

(read more…)

Featuring:

• 34046 Braunton
• 34067 Tangmere
• 35028 Clan Line

YouTube clips:

• Braunton at Aynho and Ardley at Sunset
• Tangmere climbing Hemerdon

Available on DVD and BluRay (read more…)

On two discs, a 9-day tour of Great Britain by steam train. The seventh running of The Great Britain visited Falmouth, the Cumbrian coast and several of the Edinburgh-Glasgow routes for the first time.

Featuring: 34046 Braunton, 5029 Nunney Castle, 46115 Scots Guardsman, 60009 Union of South Africa, 46233 Duchess of Sutherland, K1 62005, Black Fives 44932, 45407 and 44871.

Part 2: Thu 1st – Sun 4th May 2014

North of Edinburgh, the train was split in two. One half was sent to Aberdeen and Inverness and back, while the other went to Fort William and Mallaig. We have coverage of both parts. The finale was a fast run down the east coast from via Newcastle and York back to London.

YouTube clips:

Day 6 East: 60009 Union Of South Africa at Wardhouse, north of Insch.
Day 6 West: K1 62005 crossing the Avon viaduct at Linlithgow
Day 7: K1 62005 climbing away from Mallaig
Day 8 West: K1 62005 on The Horshoe Curve
Day 8 East: 60009 Union Of South Africa near Stonehaven and Carmont
Day 9: 46233 Duchess Of Sutherland at Colton Junction

Available on DVD and Blu-ray disc.

Special offer: buy volume 69 and get vol. 70 half price. (read more…)

On two discs, a 9-day tour of Great Britain by steam train. The seventh running of The Great Britain visited Falmouth, the Cumbrian coast and several of the Edinburgh-Glasgow routes for the first time.

Featuring: 34046 Braunton, 5029 Nunney Castle, 46115 Scots Guardsman, 60009 Union of South Africa, 46233 Duchess of Sutherland, K1 62005, Black Fives 44932, 45407 and 44871.

Part 1: Sat 26th – Wed 30th April 2014

Part 1 takes us from London to Exeter, Falmouth, Bristol, Chester, around the Cumbrian Coast, over Beattock to Edinburgh and down the Glasgow & South Western to Stranraer;

YouTube clips:

• Day 1: 34046 Braunton at Tisbury
• Day 2: 5029 Nunney Castle & 34046 Braunton at Penryn
• Day 3: Black 5 44932 on the Dee viaduct at Cefn mawr and at Ruabon
• Day 4: 46115 Scots Guardsman at Ulverston and St Bees
• Day 5: 44871 & 45407 approaching Pinmore tunnel and restarting from Glenwhilly.

Available on DVD and Blu-ray disc.

Special offer: buy volume 69 and get vol. 70 half price (read more…)

Featuring:

• 4464 Bittern
• 60009 Union Of South Africa
• 60163 Tornado
• 61994 The Great Marquess
• K1 62005

YouTube clips:

• 4464 Bittern at 90mph on Stoke Bank
• 60163 Tornado climbing from Westbury to Dilton Marsh

Available on DVD and Blu-ray disc (read more…)

Featuring:

• Black Fives 44871, 44932, 45231, 45305, 45407
• 45699 Galatea
• 46233 Duchess Of Hamilton

YouTube clips:

• 44932 on the Weymouth Seaside Express
• 46233 with a Cumbrian Mountain Express

Available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (read more…)

Featuring:

• 70000 Britannia
• 70013 Oliver Cromwell

YouTube clips:

• 70000 Britannia at Ponthir and Llanfihangel on 23rd November.
• 70013 Oliver Cromwell at Narroways and Beeston Castle.

Available on DVD & Blu-ray Disc (read more…)

Featuring:

• 4936 Kinlet Hall
• 4965 Rood Aston Hall
• 5029 Nunney Castle
• 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe
• Pannier tank 9466
• Prairie tank 5521, running as “L150”
• Metropolitan Rly No. 1

YouTube clips:

• 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe, The Cotswold Explorer, 19th Oct 2013
• 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe, The Cheltenham Flyer, 11th May 2013

Available on DVD and BluRay (read more…)

Featuring:

• 34046 Braunton
• 34067 Tangmere
• 35028 Clan Line

YouTube clips:
34067 Tangmere on The Devonian, 4th July

34046 Braunton’s first mainline tour, The Dorset Coast Express, 14th August

Available on DVD and BluRay (read more…)

A 4-day rail-tour from Preston to Fort William, Mallaig and Oban.

Featuring:

• K4 61994 The Great Marquess
• K1 62005
• Black Fives 44871 & 45407
• 46115 Scots Guardsman

YouTube clip:

• Day 3: 44871 & 45407 departing from Tyndrum Lower

Available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (read more…)

A 9-day tour of the country. In Part 2, days 6-9, from Edinburgh to Perth, Inverness, Kyle Of Lochalsh, back to Edinburgh, then home to London via York.

Featuring:

• Black Fives 44871 & 45407
• 61994 The Great Marquess
• 60009 Union Of South Africa
• 4464 Bittern

YouTube clips

• Day 6: 44871 Slochd
• Day 7: 45407 Luib summit
• Day 8: 44871 & 45407 Tomatin, Drummochter
• Day 9: 60009 Darlington; 4464 Colton Junction

Available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc

Special offer: buy volume 61 and get vol. 62 half price. (read more…)

A 9-day tour of the country. In part 1, days 1-5, from London to Salisbury, Exeter, Newquay, Gloucester, Cardiff, the Central Wales line, Chester, Carlisle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Featuring:

• 34067 Tangmere
• Black Fives 44871 & 45407
• 60009 Union Of South Africa

YouTube clips:

• Day 1: 34067 Clapham Junction; 44871 & 45407 Menheniot
• Day 2: 44871 & 45407 Goss Moor; 34067 leaving Bristol
• Day 3: 44871 & 45407 Craven Arms
• Day 4: 44871 & 45407 Shap Wells
• Day 5: 45407 Lunan Bay; 60009 Union Of South Africa

Available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc

Special offer: buy volume 61 and get vol 62 half price.

(read more…)

Featuring:

• 70000 Britannia
• 70013 Oliver Cromwell
• 71000 Duke Of Gloucester

YouTube clips:

• Oliver Cromwell on The Weymouth Seaside Express
• Oliver Cromwell on The Cotswold Venturer

Available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (read more…)

Featuring:

• 4464 Bittern
• 61994 The Great Marquess on a train to Blaenau Ffestiniog and on the Settle-Carlisle line
• 60163 Tornado in BR green and blue liveries.

YouTube clips:

• Bittern on a summer’s evening
• Tornado’s first run in BR blue

Available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (read more…)

Featuring:

• Black Fives 44871, 44932, 45305 & 45407 – on the Settle-Carlise line, in Wiltshire and on the Central Wales line.
• 46233 Duchess Of Sutherland – on her mainline test, between Derby and York and on Shap.
• 6201 Princess Elizabeth – climbing the Lickey Incline, hauling the Jubilee Thames Pageant express and Christmas tours in the south.
• Pannier tanks 9600 & L94 – banking 6201 on the Lickey Incline.

YouTube clips:

• The Double Lickey Banker.
• The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express.

Available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (read more…)

Featuring:

• 6024 King Edward I: four last trips in February and March
• 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe: Bristol-Plymouth, through the Cotsworlds and the marathon 3-day trip to Edinburgh.
• Panniers 9600 & L94: day trips around the Leicestershire coalfield, to Melton Mowbray and Corby, and to Stratford and Worcester.
• Steam Railmotor 93: a Sunday on the Liskeard-Looe branch.

YouTube clips:

Steam Railmotor beside the East Looe River
5043 at Culross, on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, during the “Castle To Scotland” tour.

Availabe on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. (read more…)

Featuring:

• 34067 Tangmere on Shap and the S&C, by Southern and Western routes to Weymouth, on the Royal Duchy and three winter trains from or to Bristol.
• 35028 Clan Line with the VSOE Pullmans in Surrey, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and with The Cathedrals Express to Exeter, Weymouth and Cardiff.

YouTube clip:
34067 on The Bath Christmas Market, 8th Dec

Available on DVD and BluRay (read more…)

Three of the fastest and most powerful steam locos at work on the British mainline today.

• 71000 Duke of Gloucester on the West Coast Mainline and along the coast of South Wales.
• 4492 Dominion Of New Zealand (actually 60019 Bittern in disguise), sometimes running with her second tender to extend her range. Includes one trip over the South Devon banks piloted by 5029 Nunney Castle.
• 60163 Tornado returned to work in the summer after several months of repairs to her firebox.

YouTube clips:

• Tornado on the GW Mainline
• Tornado from the North Downs. This shot is not actually on Vol. 54, since we have an even better shot from the same spot taken in December. It seemed a shame to leave it unseen, though.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

(read more…)

Featuring the two survivor’s of British Railways’ first class of Standard locomotives

• Fresh from overhaul, painted unlined black and without nameplates (as during her first few months in service in 1951), 70000 Britannia proved powerful and reliable during 2011. She is seen on her test run, her first revenue-earning train, and 13 other tours around the south of England.
• 70013 Oliver Cromwell’s third full year of mainline work saw her work from Cornwall to Carlisle and from Holyhead to East Anglia. She is seen on seven solo tours and double-heading with 6024 King Edward I over the South Devon Banks.

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

YouTube clip: Britannia at Radley and Cholsey, 7th April.

(read more…)

Featuring seven LMS locos and one BR Standard:

• Black Fives 44932, 44871, 45305 and 45407
• 5690 Leander
• 8F 48151
• 6201 Princess Elizabeth
• 70013 Oliver Cromwell

Filmed on the Settle & Carlisle line, Shap, Saddleworth, York, in Devon and Cornwall, Hampshire and Dorset, Surrey and Kent.

YouTube Clips: 45305 crossing Ribblehead viaduct

Available on Blu-ray and DVD

(read more…)

On two discs, 2012’s 9-day tour of Great Britain by steam train.

In Part 2: 2 Black Fives to Stranraer, Duchess of Hamilton from Glasgow to Preston, Oliver Cromwell to Shrewsbury and Bristol, Ollie and Tangmere to Penzance and finally Earl of Mount Edgcumbe from Bristol to London via Gloucester.

Plus The Royal Duchy: Tangmere & Oliver Cromwell work back from Penzance to Bristol the week after GBV.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

YouTube clip: Duchess of Sutherland at Smardale and Wilpshire.

Special offer: buy volume 50 and get vol 51 half price.

(read more…)

On two discs, a 9-day tour of Great Britain by steam train.

In Part 1: London-York-Edinburgh with Bittern and Oliver Cromwell. To Aberdeen and Inverness with Scots Guardsman, Inverness to The Kyle with 5305 then back to Glasgow with Scots Guardsman. Meanwhile The Great Marquess worked to Fort William and Mallaig and back.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Special offer: buy volume 50 and get vol 51 half price.

YouTube clip: 45305 on the Kyle line.

(read more…)

The Cathedrals Explorer 2012, 18th-25th May 2012

An 8-day tour from London to Scotland, with steam haulage to Edinburgh, Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh,  Aberdeen and back to London.

Featuring:

• 70000 Britannia
• 60163 Tornado
• 4464 Bittern
• 61994 The Great Marquess
• 6201 Princess Elizabeth

YouTube clips:
Day 2: Bittern at Burnmouth & Tornado in Glen Garry
Day 6: Bittern on the Forth Bridge

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.
(read more…)

Featuring:

• 34067 Tangmere on trains to Weymouth from Bristol and London, to Swanage, between Poole and Bristol, and in Kent. There’s also a special charter departing from St Pancras, surrounded by Euro Stars and South Eastern bullet trains!
• 35028 Clan Line on the Blackmore Vale Express and several VSOE excursions, including 2 running as 35017 Belgian Marine.

YouTube Clips:
34067 on The Welshman, at Christchurch and Wylye
35028 on The Blackmore Vale Express, cresting Oborne bank and climbing past Micheldever

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

(read more…)

Featuring:

• 4965 Rood Ashton Hall on a St Valentines Day tour of Leicestershire and piloting 5043 to Didcot.
• 5029 Nunney Castle slogging over the Devon Banks to Plymouth and Par, and over Evershot and Bincombe banks to Weymouth.
• 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe on The Red Rose climbing though Saddleworth and over Copy Pit, on the West Coast Main Line to Euston, and on the Great Western mainlines to Birmingham and Bristol.
• 6024 King Edward I on a train to Pembroke Dock and two trains to Shrewsbury in summer and winter.
• Pannier tank engines 9600 & L94 on Leicestershire branch lines.
  6024 & 70013 double-heading over the Devon Banks.

YouTube clips:
5029 Climbing to Dainton Tunnel with the returning Cornishman, 10th July.
5043 Leaving Euston and running through North London on the West Coast Main Line, 21st May

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

(read more…)

An 8-day tour of Britain by train, with steam haulage, from London to Stirling, Mallaig, Chester, Swansea, Bristol and back to London.

Featuring:

• 6201 Princess Elizabeth
• 61994 The Great Marquess
• Black Fives 45407, 44871 and 45305
• 34067 Tangmere

YouTube clips:
46115 departing from Lockerbie
45407 & 44871 at Dorrington and Knucklas

Available on Blu-ray and DVD

(read more…)

A 9-day tour of Britain by train, with steam haulage from London to Inverness, Wick to Penzance, and Bristol back to London.

Featuring:

• 60019 Bittern (running as 4492 Dominion of New Zealand for the first time) on the ECML
• 46115 Scots Guardsman crossing the Forth Bridge, between Aberdeen and Inverness, and on the Glasgow & South Western.
• Black Fives 45407 & 44871 on the Far North line from Wick to Inverness, and the Highland Mainline over Drumochter summit.
• 61994 The Great Marquess on the line to Kyle Of Lochalsh on a still morning that produced some lovely reflections in the lochs.
• 5029 Nunney Castle on the Welsh Marches route, the Berks & Hants line and accelerating through Sonning cutting.
• 70013 Oliver Cromwell & Black Five 45305 between Bristol and Penzance.

Watch a couple of excerpts from this production on YouTube:
4492 on Stoke Bank
45407 & 44871 leaving Tain; 45305 & 70013 at St. Germans

Available on Blu-ray and DVD

(read more…)

• 6201 Princess Elizabeth in the south and on the North Wales coast.
• 6233 Duchess Of Sutherland on the East and West Coast Main Lines.
• 46115 Scots Guardsman with a train to Weymouth on the anniversary of the end of Southern steam.
• 5690 Leander working home from the Severn Valley Railway.
• 8F 48151 with trains to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Stanmore in Weardale.
• Black Five 44871 with trains to Weymouth, Swanage and Bristol.
• Black Five 45305 running from Birmingham to Euston.
• Black Five 44932 Summer trains to Caterbury, Bristol and Gloucester; Winter trains to Bristol, Yeovil and Oxford.

On YouTube: Three clips that didn’t make it onto this volume, but are rather good.

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

(read more…)

• 70013 Oliver Cromwell. Includes the first train to cross the reinstated Sherringham level crossing, Ollie’s first trip over Shap in preservation, and a day trip to Windsor for the Girl Guides.
• 71000 Duke Of Gloucester. Deputising for Toarnado and Clan Line on the Torbay Express, Midland Tornado and VSOE.
• 60019 Bittern on the Dorset Coast Express, both the East Coast and West Coast main lines, and in Devon and Cornwall.
• 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley in the snow on the Berks & Hants.
• 60163 Tornado pulling Mallard to Shildon, hauling the Royal Train, in South Wales on St David’s Day, and on the Settle-Carlisle line.

YouTube clip: 60019 with The Cornishman on 19th Sept.

Available on Blue-ray and DVD. (read more…)

30777 Sir Lamiel Includes a trip to Stratford and a compilation of the Dorset Coast Express trips shared with 60019 during the summer.
35028 Clan Line. Highlights include the trip to Yeovil and Weymouth on 8th May, and Abinger Hammer in the snow, besides a couple of regular VSOE trains.

A couple of trains hauled by GW locos took place too late to be included in our GW175 programmes:
6024 King Edward I climbing Llanfihangle on her way to Ludlow.
5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe with a special train to celebrate the re-openning of the terminus platforms at Birmingham Moor Street.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

YouTube clip: 777 with the Swanage Belle on 31st May.

(read more…)

A second compilation of NRM locomotives at work on the Mainline, featuring 30777 Sir Lamiel and 70013 Oliver Cromwell. This disc contains a re-edited version of footage featured on Volumes 33, 34, 42 and 43, and features a discrete commentary, not normally included on Steam Age productions. Although commissioned by the South Of England Group of the Friends of the NRM, for various reasons they don’t currently have any in stock, so if you want a copy, you’ll have to come direct to Steam Age.

DVD only.

(read more…)

Filmed over 11 days in the north of England and west of Scotland: locations include Saddleworth, Shap, the Settle-Carlise line, Beattock, the West Highland line, the Oban branch and the Glasgow & South Western.

Six LMS locomotives:
Princess Royal class 4-6-2 6201 Princess Elizabeth, Princess Coronation class 4-6-2 6233 Duchess Of Sutherland, Royal Scot class 4-6-0 46115 Scots Guardsman, Jubilee class 4-6-0 5690 Leander, Black Five class 4-6-0 45231 Sherwood Forester & 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier;
and one LNER loco:
K4 class 2-6-0 61994 The Great Marquess.

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

YouTube clip: Leander on The Fellsman

(read more…)

Five GWR 4-6-0 locomotives, two BR standard locos and a Western Region diesel hydraulic, at work on former GW routes – mostly!

• Hall class 4936 Kinlet Hall and 5972 Olton Hall
• Castle class 5029 Nunney Castle and 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe
• King class 6024 King Edward I
• BR Standard 7MT 70013 Oliver Cromwell
• BR Standard 4MT 76079 (nick-named “The Pocket Rocket”)
• BR(W) class 42 diesel hydraulic D1015 Western Champion

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

You Tube clip: 5029 & 5043, The Welshes Marches Express

(read more…)

Six LMS-designed locomotives, and one LMS-inspired one, at work in and around their home region:

• Black Fives 54507 & 45231
• Royal Scot class 46115 Scots Guardsman
• Princess Royal class 6201 Princess Elizabeth
• Princess Coronation class 6233 Duchess of Sutherland
• Jubilee class 5690 Leander
• BR Standard Class 4 76079

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

YouTube clip: The Tin Bath

(read more…)

This volume features two of O. V. S. Bulleid’s fine pacifics designed for the Southern Railway:
Merchant Navy class 35028 Clan Line
Battle Of Britain class 34067 Tangmere

Hghlights include:  Tangmere on the penultimate steam train on the Folkestone Harbour branch, including a simply stunning reflection in the waterlogged meadows at Sturry; Clan Line in bright May sunshine with a train to Eastleigh for the works Centenary;
Tangmere lifting 11 coaches up Bincombe bank without assistance;

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

YouTube clip: Tangmere in the Wylye Valley and leaving Bath
(read more…)

On two discs, a record of the mainline events that marked the 175^th anniversary of the formation of the Great Western Railway.

In Part 2: 11 tours, including the first mainline tour to visit the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Nunney Castle climbing Evershot and Bincombe banks unassisted and 5043’s record breaking run over the Settle-Carlisle line.

Featuring 5029 Nunney Castle, 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe, 6024 King Edward I, pannier tanks 9466 & 9600 and 5960 Leander.

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

Special Offer: Buy Vol 35 and get Vol 36 half price. £15 for both DVDs or £22.50 for both Blu-ray Discs.

YouTube clip.

(read more…)

On two discs, a record of the mainline events that marked the 175^th anniversary of the Great Western Railway.

In Part 1: 11 tours including the record-breaking Bristolian, 9600 banking Lizzie on the Lickey Incline and Steam Dreams’ 2 day Cornish Riviera Express.

Featuring 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5972 Olton Hall, 5029 Nunney Castle, 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe, 6024 King Edward I, pannier tank 9600, 6201 Princess Elizabeth, 70013 Oliver Cromwell & D1015 Western Champion.

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

Special Offer: Buy Vol 35 and get Vol 36 half price. £15 for both DVDs or £22.50 for both Blu-ray Discs.

YouTube clip.

(read more…)

On two discs, the whole story of a remarkable 9-day tour of Great Britain.

In Part 2: Glasgow to Perth, Montrose, Aberdeen, Inverness, Kyle Of Lochalsh, Slochd, Aviemore, Drumochter, Edinburgh, Berwick, York and back to London. Featuring 70013 Oliver Cromwell, 61994 The Great Marquess, 6201 Princess Elizabeth, and 60019 Bittern.

Available on Blu-ray or DVD.

Special Offer: Buy Vol 34 and get Vol 33 half price. £15 for both DVDs or £22.50 for both Blu-ray Discs.

YouTube Clip.
(read more…)

On two discs, the whole story of a remarkable 9-day tour of Great Britain.

The formula for this third grand tour of Great Britain was very similar to its predecessors, but in the days before the start, loco availability and the threat of a strike by signallers forced a number of late changes. Although the tour didn’t visit Penzance, Shrewsbury or Dumfries, and 30777 Sir Lamiel, 34067 Tangmere, 6100 Royal Scot and 46115 Scots Guardsman couldn’t take part, there were some very acceptable substitutes. Day three included a double-headed run up the Lickey Incline, 44871 worked from Plymouth to Stranraer over four days, and 6201 Princess Elizabeth hauled the penultimate leg from Edinburgh to York. Most notable was 70013 Oliver Cromwell, which hauled the train from Plymouth to Inverness and back to Edinburgh on five out of seven days. Passengers renamed the tour “The Great Britannia” in Ollie’s honour!

In Part 1: London to Bristol, Plymouth, the Devon banks, the Lickey Incline, Birmingham, Preston, Shap, Carlisle, Beattock, Glasgow, Ayr and Stranraer. Featuring 5029 Nunney Castle, Black Fives 44871 & 45407, and 70013 Oliver Cromwell.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

YouTube clip
(read more…)

The newest locomotive on the British railway network in 2009 was a steam loco! 60163 Tornado took 18 years to build and cost £3 million, and has become as well known as her great predecessors Flying Scotsman and Mallard. This programme shows her at work during her first year on the mainline, and includes the Royal Train, The Torbay Express, The Talisman, BBC Top Gear’s “Race to the North” and 12 other mainline tours, as well her visit to the Severn Valley Railway in October. For good measure, we include 25 minutes of 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and 60019 Bittern as well.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Have a look at some excerpts from this production on YouTube:
Sapperton, November.
Woodwalton, February and Dawlish, August
(read more…)

Since returning to the mainline in August 2008, Oliver Cromwell has quickly established herself (all steam locomotives, like ships, are female) as a great favourite with enthusiasts and passengers. From Folkestone to Plymouth, from Poole to Carlisle, this volume records her progress around the country during the year.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

You Tube clips:
Didcot after dark
Magor, Pewsey and the South Devon banks
(read more…)

A three day trip, from Preston to Mallaig and back, hauled by Jubilee 5690 Leander, K4 61994 The Great Marquess and K1 62005. The route includes Shap and Beattock banks, the upper Clyde valley, the West Highland line past Loch Lomand and over County March summit, and the West Highland Extension to Mallaig, including Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Have a look at some excerpts from this production on YouTube
(read more…)

Two days in the company of the two surviving Beattie “Well Tank” locos on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Martin Creese of 30742 Charters organised two days of photographic charters and we were blessed with marvelous weather.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

(read more…)

The Railway Touring Company ran its second marathon tour of Britain in April 2009: London to Penzance, Bristol, Shrewsbury, Carlisle, Glasgow, Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and finally York; eight days of steam haulage by Tangmere, Oliver Cromwell, Scots Guardsman, The Great Marquess, two Black Fives and Union of South Africa. With three cameramen contributing footage, Steam Age Pictures got pretty comprehensive coverage. The hardest part was editing it all down to just 90 minutes.

Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

YouTube clips:
Days 1-4
Days 5-8
Compare 46115 and 5043 on Shap
(read more…)

Having seen The Hero’s Return (Steam age Pictures Volume 17), about 850 Lord Nelson, the South Of England group of the Friends Of The National Railway museum asked for a disc that they could sell on NRM locomotives’ rail tours. This is the result. It covers 777 Sir Lamiel, 850 Lord Nelson and 70013 Oliver Cromwell at work on the British mainline mostly, but not entirely, in the South of England.

You might prefer to buy your copy directly from the Friends, in which case have a look at their web site. (read more…)

Featuring 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, 60009 Union Of South Africa, 60019 Bittern, 70013 Oliver Cromwell and 71000 Duke Of Gloucester, plus Black 5 45407 working The North Briton with 60009. (read more…)

Featuring 35028 Clan Line, 34067 Tangmere and 30777 Sir Lamiel, plus a cameo appearance by GWR 2-8-0T 5239. (read more…)

Featuring 4936 Kinlet Hall, 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5029 Nunney Castle, 5043 Earl Of Mount Edgecumbe and 6024 King Edward I.

YouTube clip: 5043 test runs
(read more…)

Featuring 8F 48151, Black 5s 45407 & 45231, 5690 Leander, 6201 Princess Elizabeth, 6233 Duchess Of Sutherland, 70013 Oliver Cromwell and BR Standard 4 76079. Includes the “15 Guinea Special” re-run.

YouTube clips
76079 Cotton Mill
15 Guinea Special
(read more…)

Plandampf: regular service trains worked by steam. Three class 52 2-10-0 “Kriegsloks”, express pacific 03.1010 and mixed traffic 2-8-2 41.1144 are put to work on freight and passenger trains between Eisenach and Meiningen in the German state of Thüringen, including 2500 tonnes of gravel, which needs all three class 52s. Also, 41.1144 and 50.3051 work a special passenger train from Eisenach to Eisfeld to mark 150 years since the opening of the line through the valley of the River Werra. (read more…)

I was delighted by what I found when preparing this disc. As well as the large locomotives that we are still familiar with, such as Clan line and King Edward I, there’s a great selection of smaller engines, now much rarer on the mainline: the MHR’s U class mogul 31625, the Swanage Railway’s M7 tank engine 30053, and the Severn Valley’s “mighty moguls” LMS 2968 and GWR 7325. All this and the first mainline appearance of MHR’s fabulous “Green Five”, 73096, too.

YouTube clip: 2968 & 7325 climbing the Lickey Incline

(read more…)

Only five locomotives here, and some longer views than normal, thanks to the wide open spaces of the Pennines and the Vale of York. Centre-piece is a 30 minute sequence dedicated to 60009 Union Of South Africa. She is seen on the Settle & Carlisle line, working from York to Harrogate and Scarborough and on two tours in the south. Also included are 6233 on Southern and Western metals, 6201 on the Welsh Marches route, 48151 working The Dalesman and 60019 Bittern’s midnight test run.

YouTube clip: 6201 Welsh Marches
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There’s plenty of variety in this volume, with 7 GW locos, 2 BR Standards and 2 Southern locos. Highlights include Bradley Manor’s last mainline trips, 6024 and 5051 double-heading, fantastic glints from 9466 and 35028, Duke of Gloucester setting new standards on the South Devon Banks, and Sir Lamiel making a night departure from Salisbury. My personal favourite? Clan Line climbing Parkstone Bank, from a standing start at Poole, pulling 13 carriages and an EWS diesel, then roaring through Basingstoke, whistle open, really takes some beating!

YouTube clip: Clan Line at Steventon
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It came as quite a surprise to discover how much footage of Tangmere I amassed during the year. From triumphs like the 40th anniversary of the Southern steam and the sure-footed restart on the 1-in-80 gradient at Sherborne, to less glorious moments, such as stalling on the Paignton & Dartmouth Rly with the Torbay Express, this programme shows Tangmere’s ability to go almost anywhere and haul almost anything, week in, week out. My personal favourite is The Holiday Express: Tangmere and 6024 King Edward I double-headed a tour from Bristol to Par in Cornwall. The light was gorgeous all day, the two locomotives made a fine sight and an exciting noise, and I finally got to take a picture of a steam train crossing the Royal Albert Bridge. (1 hour 11 mins) (read more…)

Southern Railway locomotive no. 850 Lord Nelson is part of the National Collection. After a long overhaul by The Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society, she returned to steam in 2006, and to mainline work in 2007. Sadly, firebox problems led to her withdrawal from the mainline in August 2007, though she has since returned to work on the Watercress Line. This volume includes coverage of most of the events of 2006-7: the departure from Eastleigh, WSR Autumn and Spring galas, East Lancs. winter gala, the test run, the stop-over at Didcot and light engine movement to Minehead and 8 of her 11 main-line tours. (63 mins approx.)

YouTube clip: The Bath & Bristol, 23/6/07
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There must have been something good in the air in 1999, judging by the number of golden glints I recorded during the year. (The old Panasonic Super-VHS camera does make the most of that sort of lighting.) It was a bumper harvest of locomotives, some of which, such as 31625, 45110 and 48773, I have not seen on the main line since. I didn’t need to travel very far, either. There are only a couple of shots from north of Birmingham or west of Bristol. (read more…)

If someone organised a rail tour from Penzance to Thurso, using steam locomotives, would anyone buy tickets? In April 2007, The Railway Touring Company promoted just such a tour, and all the seats were sold months beforehand. Many more enthusiasts took to the road to record this great railway adventure, including cameramen from Steam Age Pictures & TWR Video. This programme shows you what we saw.

Forgive us if we boast just a little. Here are two unsolicited compliments that we received for this programme. This from a fellow photographer who chased most of the tour:

“DVD received and played on the Big Screen tonight. Mark – 10 out of 10! That is no “amateur” production in my book! Yes there are a couple of tiny glitches but they don’t detract from a splendid  offering overall.”

And this from someone who was on board:

“Just finished watching the DVD. 81 mins of pure nostalgia and pleasure. Well worth the wait, HA HA! Best DVD I’ve seen for a long while. Keep up the good work.”

YouTube play-list: 8 out of 9 days
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A group of friends spent a week driving and firing steam locos working everyday services on Polish Railways. I went along with my camera to record some of the goings on, and this programme is the result.

Running time 1 hour 15 mins approx. (read more…)

Here are the rest of the green ones! 30777 Sir Lamiel “up North”, 35028 Clan Line’s test run run and first VSOE tour, 850 Lord Nelson leaving Eastleigh, 34067 Tangmere at Littlehampton, 6024 King Edward I on the GWR main line, two Halls on the Lickey and Green Arrow on the East Coast Main Line. (Approx. run time 57 mins)

Sunny Days on the Bluebell Railway

Vol 12 contains a little bonus: I made two visits to the Bluebell during 2006. On both occasions the sun shone all day. Here are the results. (Approx. run time 28 mins)

YouTube clips:
Clan Line test run
Green Arrow farewell

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2006 provided an embarrassment of riches. Even after quite severe editing, there was too much material for a single disc. Rather than compromise on image quality, I decided to split it in two, with LMS and BR locos on Part 1 (Volume 11), GWR, LNER and Southern locos on Part 2 (Volume 12). As a bonus, Volume 12 includes a short programme of two sunny days on the Bluebell Railway.

Part 1: All the locos are red or black – apart from 71000 Duke of Gloucester! Highlights include 6233 Duchess of Sutherland in Surrey and Westmoreland, 5690 Leander on the Lickey, BR Standard Class 4 76079 on the Cambrian Coast, and 6201 Princess Elizabeth at Whiteball, Dainton and Rattery in fabulous sunshine!

YouTube clip: 6201 on The Devonian

(Approx. run time 73 mins)

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Main Line Album 2000

2000 was a transition year, being the last year that I was using a Super-VHS camera, and I don’t consider it to be a vintage year, exactly. From a technical point-of-view, I was struggling with different microphones that were either not picking up much sound or else were picking up too much camera and handling noise. I have cleaned the audio up a bit where necessary (but hopefully not so much that it sounds unnatural). From a personal point-of-view, I was busy with other things and many tours passed unrecorded. Also, there are one or two shots that I have included because they are of historical interest rather than great artistic merit. However, there were some true high points as well, not least Bodmin’s return to the main line in June, Blue Peter’s run over the Devon Banks in July and my move to a digital video camera in November. I have put the Digital footage towards the end. I think you’ll notice the improvement in picture quality!  (read more…)

Main Line Album 2002

This programme completes the back-log of digital footage (apart from last 2 months of 2000), and it was a vintage year. Star of the show, with nearly 28 minutes all to herself, is 35005 Canadian Pacific. We see her on Steam Dreams crew training specials at Easter and on a number of Cathedrals Express runs. The supporting cast includes 6024 King Edward I, three different Halls, Black 5 45407, 60009 Union of South Africa, 4472 Flying Scotsman and a rare appearance from B1 61264. (read more…)

What can one say about 71000 Duke Of Gloucester? She flattened Upwey, Parkstone, Honiton, Sherborne and Upton Scudamore banks, toying with her 11- and 12-coach loads. On more level ground, she cruised along at 75 for mile after mile with little apparent effort. But she wasn’t alone: 34067 Tangmere took care of VSOE business again, and also visited Bournemouth and Winchester; Black Fives 45231 and 45305 and Jubilee 5690 Leander returned to main-line duties; 5029 Nunney Castle bowed out; 6024 King Edward I put up consistently good performances all year; 60009 Union of South Africa went up the Midland main-line on a perfect autumn morning; 4472 Flying Scotsman flew down to Didcot with a couple of Sunday Lunch specials. There are also brief appearances from 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5051 Earl Bathurst and 34027 Taw Valley. (read more…)

Front cover

More from the archive, both S-VHS and Digital: Merchant Navy class 4-6-2, 35028 Clan Line at work on the main line between 1990 and 2001, plus an afternoon spent at Southall depot with members of the MNLPS.

(approx. running time: 63 minutes)

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Star performer of 2003 was the Mid Hants Railway’s Standard 5, 73096, which was the main stay of the Cathedrals Express and Daylight Limited services. Other highlights: Tangmere returned to the main line (several times!), Flying Scotsman was a regular performer on VSOE Pullman excursions, Princess Elizabeth returned to Euston, Nunney Castle enjoyed perfect weather in February, and 9600 bowed out of mainline work. (read more…)

As well as nearly an hour of Mainline footage from 2004, this volume includes two short programmes, about The Watercress Line’s spring gala and City Of Truro’s exploits during 1990-92. (read more…)

Steam enthusiasts can be thankful that the central  section of the JiTong railway, in Inner Mongolia,  was the last to lose steam, for it includes the JingPeng pass, the most attractive, and the most dramatic, section of the line. Travelling west from Daban, the line climbs steeply to the summit of the pass at Shangdian, drops just as rapidly to the town of JingPeng, then climbs again to Haoluku. (read more…)

At the start of the 21st Century, China is the almost last country in the world where steam engines are used on normal, everyday trains. Mostly, they run on branch lines serving mines or quarries, but there was one main line, from Tongliao to Jining in Inner Mongolia, where almost all the normal, long distance freight trains were steam-hauled. (read more…)

Three short programmes on one disc, covering galas at the Watercress and Bluebell railways, and a profile of Southern S15, E828.
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Mainline 2001: Highlights include double-headed Halls and Panniers in the snow, Clan Line’s last trip before overhaul, and Duchess of Sutherland in Devon.

Well Tank Weekend: In April 2003, the Bodmin and Wenford Railway launched Beattie well tank no. 30587 into public service with a weekend of special trains. The weather was perfect, and the little engine is simply gorgeous!

YouTube clip: Well Tank with brake vans

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