Following the nationalisation of transport in 1948 the British Transport Commission set up its own in-house film production unit. Launched on 1 May 1949, and led for 25 years by Edgar Anstey – a foundling father of the British documentary movement – it became one of the largest industrial film units in Britain.
The third volume in a series of 6-disc box sets contains such classics as The Finishing Line , Inter-City 125 and Just Like the Rest of Us as well as rare gems like Centenary Express and Give Your Car a Holiday. This digitally remastered collection is a must for the transport enthusiast and the documentary aficionado alike. It includes a fully illustrated booklet with extensive films notes by BFI curators, and full credits.
Disc One: The North Eastern Goes Forward | Right Time Means Right Time, aka The Pain Train | Motorsport Tries Motorail | Discovering Railways | Current Affairs on the Midland | Railways Conserve the Environment (Rail Report 11) | Discover Britain by Train | Old Sam the Signalman.
Disc Two: Journey Inter-City | Power to Stop | Inter-City 125 | A New Age for Railways | The Stone Carriers | The Finishing Line | Robbie (‘non-electrified’ version) | Centenary Express | Sir Peter Parker Talks to Jimmy Savile.
Disc Three: Single Line Working | Day to Day Track Maintenance: Part 1: Plain Line | Day to Day Track Maintenance: Part 2: Switches and Crossings | The Signal Engineers | Mishap | Spick and Span.
Disc Four: The Long Night Haul | Care of St Christopher’s | Measured for Transport | Channel Islands | Under the Wires | Points and Aspects | Scotland for Sport.
Disc Five: Berth 24 | Peak District | Train Driver | Give Your Car a Holiday | Just the Ticket | England’s North Country.
Disc Six: Away for the Day | They Had an Idea | Manhandling | List, Stolen, Damaged | Go As You Please in Britain | It Takes All Sorts | Just Like the Rest of Us.
Note: Previously released in individual volumes.
Produced by - British Transport Films
Running time - 793 mins (6 discs)
Format - Region 2 PAL Black & White, and Colour
Aspect Ratio - 1.33:1
DVD only
Release date - 25th August 2014
