Two contrasting railways once ran over the Chilterns via Luton. One was the long lost branch from Welwyn Garden City to Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard. The other was, and still is, the Midland Main Line from St Pancras to the North. This programme looks at both of these lines railways in the late 1950s and 1960s along with the developments in the post steam era.

The Programme comprises;

Along the Lea Valley - The railway from Welwyn Garden City through Wheathampstead and Harpenden East to Luton using previously unpublished film. This features the last passenger and freight services, demolition trains and the line just after closure.

The Midland Main Line - The line through St Albans and Harpenden to Luton featuring steam and passenger workings in the late 1950s and 1960s. Includes Scots, 9fs, Stanier 8fs, Jubilees and 2-6-4 tanks. Metrovic Co-Bos, the Blue Pullman and the inauguration of DMUs on the suburban services in 1959 along with Peaks, Brush Type 2s, a ‘Western’ Diesel Hydraulic and BRCW type 2s.

Luton to Leighton Buzzard - The railway from Luton Bute Street through Dunstable to Leighton Buzzard. The last ‘Dunstable Flyers’ are shown with steam traction in 1962 along with DMUs in 1965. Freight as well as passenger trains are also shown along with the final workings to Dunstable right up until the 1990s.

Produced by - Transport Video Publishing
Running time - 90 minutes approx
DVD only
Released - October 2023