High Speed Special Train and The Great Western.

A major documentary based on the original by Tom Bodington made in 1994. All of the material has been digitally re-mastered and the programme, which includes numerous new shots, has been edited to broadcast standards.

In 1964 British Railways celebrated the 60th anniversary of 3440 City of Truro's epic run when it became the first locomotive to reputedly achieve 100mph. The celebration was to run high speed Castle Class locomotives from Paddington to Plymouth and back for the very last time as diesels were rapidly taking over. 2004 is the 40th anniversary of those runs on 9th May 1964 and this production is a unique record of a major event that has almost been forgotten.

Contents:

• Introduction followed by a brief resume of events of 9th May 1904.
• Preparations and selection of the Castle Class locomotives for the day including high speed test runs down Honeybourne Bank in early 1964, plus Worcester shed.
• Photographs of Old Oak Common and Laira depots, locos and their crews.
• Archive colour footage of the journey from Paddington to Plymouth and back taken from the train and including lineside shots taken at: Paddington, Iver, Twyford, Froxfield, Dainton, Mutley Tunnel, Plymouth, Hemerdon (2), Parsons St Jnc, Ashley Hill, Rodbourne, Uffington and Wantage Rd.
• All on-train and lineside shots have authentic soundtracks. (40 mins approx)
• Informative commentary with on-screen statistics and including the voices of firemen Doug Godden and Bill Rundell.
• A trip on the river Tamar showing the naval dockyard and the Tamar Bridges.
• Interviews with four of the crew of forty years ago.

Locomotives in action are: 4079 Pendennis Castle, 6999 Capel Dewi Hall, 7025 Sudeley Castle, 7008 Swansea Castle, 7029 Clun Castle and 5054 Earl of Ducie.

Includes 20 mins of bonus footage of 3440 City of Truro in action on the Severn Valley Railway and the main line.

Produced by - PSOV
Running time - 60 mins approx plus 40 mins of extras
DVD only