County Durham's prosperity and the growth of its rail network was due to the counties once extensive coalfields with many mines still open until the late 1960s, their rail traffic operated by Class J27s, Q6s and WDs steam locomotives.

In addition, superb film taken at a variety of locations shows National Coal Board locomotives hard at work.

Continuing the coastal journey from Billington to Newcastle started in Volume 4 - Darlington, the River Tyne is crossed before moving south on the East Coast Main Line.

A narrow gauge clay-pit railway locomotive being delivered behind a traction engine is featured, together with Durham's most Westerly branchline - Weardale.

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Between 1959 and 1968, railway enthusiast and cine-cameraman, Michael Marsden, recorded views and sounds of the rapidly changing face of Britain's rail network.

For over twenty-five years after steam ended, he captivated audiences throughout the country with his unique film collection that captured steam's last decade and the full emergence of the diesel locomotive.

The blending of this film and that of other cameramen with true sounds of the era, plus an informative narrative, has resulted in the creation of this superb range of railway videos detailing the last decade of British mainline steam operations.

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Produced by - Marsden Rail
Running time - 55 Minutes
DVD only

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