Description from Lineside Video Productions

Run-time 1 hour and 45 minutes approx.

In this programme we visit a number of locations around the country during the British Rail era from 1984 through to 1993.

Our first section comes from Warrington where a number of classes are seen including Classes 08, 20, 31, 37, 40, 45, 47, 86 and 87 on a mixture of passenger and freight duties from the period 1984 to 1991. As well as BR-blue we also see the early railfreight red-strip and sector liveries, such as Trainload Metals. Air-braked as well as unfitted freight trains are seen at this popular train-watching location on the busy WCML.

During 1993 we took our camera to Worting Junction, just to the west of Basingstoke. A variety of motive power is seen, such as HST, Class 73, Class 60, class 47, class 33, Class 442 and 159, as well as rare shots of Networker EMUs on test. We also visit Basingstoke station to witness class 33 and class 50 action.

The Duchy of Cornwall is visited as we study traction from 1985 and 1986. A rich variety of motive power is seen with some superb thrash soundtracks! Classes 08, 20, 37, HST, 40, 45, 47 and class 50 all appear. Class 37s dominate including scenes of the old clay-hood wooden freight wagons in action. Other highlights include class 45s on passenger and freight; class 40, D200, at Penzance, class 20 054 and 20 011 at Truro and 37 196 on weedkiller duties along the Parkandillack Branch. Double-headed 37s on clay hoods, and 47 500 in GWR Green is also seen. Class 37s witnessed include: 37 123, 37 196, 37 207, 37 222, 37 235, 37 247 and 37 308.

Our final section comes from Scotland as we travel to the Inverness area in February 1989. Class 47s and 37s around Inverness dominate as well as action from around Dingwall where trains were terminating due to a bridge wash-out at Inverness. There’s plenty of classic class 37 action here on trains made up of BR Mark 1 and Mark 2 coaching stock from the blue and grey era. Most class 37s are in the BR large-logo livery, where we see them at work at Achnasheen, Garve and Tain.