LOCOMASTER PROFILES

SOLENT SULZER (??-mins) ()

Ref: LP378D

Price: £19.96 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £16.63 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

Power Hour 3 (60 mins)

Ref: LP460D

A collection of scenes from the north of Scotland to the west of England was filmed between 1999 and 2005. Features 12 different locomotive classes, 20, 31, 33, 37, 40, 47, 50, 52, 55, 56, 58 and 60.

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Traction 2006 Part 1 (100-mins) ()

Ref: LP396D

FREIGHT TRAFFIC & TRACTION: Class 56s return to the main line for Fastline Freight, 37 419 hauling Class 56s to Old Oak Common for component recovery, 47 802 on the Warrington-Willesden mail, 47 840’s two trips to Shoeburyness on scrap EMU moves, ex-DRS Class 87s return to traffic on Royal Mail trains, 37 425 on the Dagenham-Bridgend Ford vans, the first DRS Class 47s to reach Plymouth, 47 145 hauling box wagons from Stoke to the Isle of Grain, 90 001 hauling EWS’ Garston-Dagenham automotive service, 47 830 on the Ayr-Oxwellmains cement, 37 425 reaches Exeter with the ‘silver bullet’ china clay tanks, 31 128 & 31 190 hauling steel wagons from Doncaster to Stoke…and the West London ‘Tractor’ bonanza including 37 425 & 37 405 on the Brentford-Appleford ‘Binliner’!

PASSENGER TRACTION, RAILTOURS & SPECIALS: the unprecedented sight of two HST power cars ‘back to back’ hauling the Penzance-Paddington ‘sleepers’, Class 47 haulage returns to the Riviera ‘sleepers’ with 47 813, Class 37s back on Cardiff-Rhymney services, Virgin Class 57s on Arriva North Wales services, 47 840 rescuing a Penzance-Paddington service, Class 50-hauled service trains for Arriva, 57 604 ventures to Shoeburyness in Essex to collect redundant slam-door stock, 47 245 returns to the main line for West Coast Railway Company…and the launch of the ‘Blue Pullman’ with newly re-painted 47 709 & 47 712.

THERE’S ALSO: Network Rail Class 73s and converted Gatwick MLV’s on de-icing duties, 37 411 & 37 425 on the Serco test train in Kent, 33 103 breaking new ‘Crompton’ ground on Devon and Cornwall branches, 56 057 working the Lafarge self-discharge train on the Nene Valley Railway, former DRS ‘Cromptons’ return to traffic for West Coast Railway Company, track re-laying trains on the closed Ebbw Vale branch, Class 87s en-route from Oxley to Long Marston, Class 37-hauled railtours along the Cambrian, 67 020 hauling redundant TPO stock away from Exeter…and 45 112 making a mega-rare ‘Peak’ visit to Kingswear!

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One Four Seven (110-mins) ()

Ref: LP395D

The closure of Ipswich Tunnel for eight weeks in the summer of 2004 provided the opportunity of travelling between London and Norwich with Class 47 haulage once again. This time though, the diversionary route away from the East Anglian main line presented a far more interesting journey. Thanks to the co-operation of Anglia passenger operator ‘one’ and locomotive owners Cotswold Rail, our cameras and microphones were on board 47 818 to record one of these fascinating short-lived journeys from the locomotive footplate.

Immediately after leaving Liverpool Street with the 11.47 departure for Norwich, 47 818 is tackling the short, sharp 1 in 70 climb up Bethnal Green bank. The journey through the north London suburbs continues along the Southbury Loop via Hackney Downs, and Seven Sisters to Cheshunt. From there, it joins the Lea Valley route where the 47 is on full power for virtually all of the 22-mile climb through Broxbourne, Harlow Mill and Bishops Stortford to Elsenham summit. After slowing for Cambridge, there’s a spirited 15-mile run across the Fens to Ely, during which it passes the southbound 47-hauled passenger service. At Ely the train bears right to take the antiquated route through Brandon, Thetford and Wymondham to Norwich. Gated crossings, jointed track and telegraph wires accompany the manual signal boxes and semaphore signals along this delightful stretch of track. And it’s all filmed on a glorious summers afternoon! The fascinating 125-mile journey concludes with arrival at Norwich station, and brings back memories of the days when Class 47s ruled the roost on East Anglia passenger services.

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Traction Decade (180 mins)

Ref: LP461D

A project that has been eighteen months in the making is at long last available. TRACTION DECADE features the very best of the first 10 years of the TRACTION series which started back in 1995. Because of the volume of footage, this programme has a running time of three-and-a-half hours. Hence it is a double-disc DVD set. We shan’t even begin to attempt to list what’s on it, but if you’ve been collecting the series over the years you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. If you’ve yet to sample any of these highly-acclaimed programmes, it’s a great way of having the first 10 years all in one DVD box. Suffice to say, given the changes that have happened to the modern traction fleet over the past ten years, the content is, quite simply, staggering! In it you will see 10 years of…Rescues, Passenger substitutes, Freight substitutes, Off the beaten tracks, Arrivals, Farewells & departures, Liveries…and Railtours.

The programme features no fewer than 30 classes of diesel and electrics at work on the national network the length and breadth of Britain, from the humble 03 through classes 08, 09, 20, 31, 33, 37, 40, 43, 45, 46, 47, 50, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 66, 67, 71, 73, 86, 87, 89, 90, 92 to the French Class 22000’s. As if that’s not enough, if also features a staggering 70 different locomotive liveries!

Although this is a ‘best of’, it is in fact a brand new programme as we have not only sourced all the original footage and digitally enhanced it, but it comes with a new and lively script which has been written and narrated by David Maxey. The programme also contains previously unseen footage as well as a few surprises in the running order!

Price: £25.48 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £21.23 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

Unplugged Extra (110 mins)

Ref: LP394D

The second in our re-mastered series of re-releases on DVD features a cab ride aboard one of the Mirrlees-powered Class 37/9s on a journey through the most easterly valley of South Wales. The 18-mile branch line from Park Junction to Ebbw Vale (which has since closed) is one of the most scenic routes in the region and boasts a series of taxing gradients. What better way to enjoy this challenging route than on a loaded steel train from Llanwern with traction provided by 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer!

The four Mirrlees-engined Class 37/9s are renowned for their ‘sewing machine’ quietness - no noise, no thrash. But this is a 37/9 as you’ve never heard it before - running on full bore with its exhaust silencer removed! Give it a heavy load and a challenging route, and this machine becomes the perfect candidate for a "Wired for Sound" extravaganza! The results are spectacular as the heavy-weight 37 struggles to haul its 913-tonne load up the valley on a glorious summer morning in September 1997.

37901 sets off from Llanwern with the 6B09 to Ebbw Vale on a 22-mile journey which takes a staggering 95 minutes! After easing out of British Steel’s Llanwern complex and passing through Newport, the train diverges from the South Wales main line at Gaer Junction. From there, the route is seriously uphill all the way. Lime Kiln Junction marks the start of the 8-mile section to Aberbeeg which has now been singled. The last five miles from Aberbeeg boasts a gradient of 1 in 80, on which the train travels no faster than 12 mph - despite a wide - open power handle! The journey ends at the Stop Board at Ebbw Vale, where the loco has to re-start on a gradient of 1 in 75.

Climb aboard the footplate of Mirrlees Pioneer for an audio experience that has to be heard to be believed!

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Traction 2005 Part 2 (110-mins) ()

Ref: LP462D

FREIGHT TRAFFIC & TRACTION: 47 298 reaches Kent to rescue the Dungeness flasks, 67 014 + 67 022 at Oxcroft colliery with a 1,600 tonne MGR, 67 015 + 67 025 on the Ardingley-Whatley stone empties, 47 200 on the first Royal Mail train to Aberdeen for more than a decade, 37 411 on the Toton-Castleton departmental, Riviera’s 47 839 on Heavy Haul’s Dagenham-Wembley stone train, mixed-livery 67 005 + 67 029 on a Daw Mill-Toton MGR, Anglia-liveried 47 714 on a Freightliner, 37 416 on the Bescot-Birch Coppice trip, 47 145 on a Toton-Crewe ballast train, GBRf Class 73s reach Scotland and Plymouth, end of the DRS ‘Cromptons’.

PASSENGER TRACTION & WORKINGS, RAILTOURS & SPECIALS: the final Virgin West Coast Class 87-hauled service, the Gatwick Express Class 73 farewell, Anglia’s second Class 86 farewell, ‘Top & Tailed’ Class 57s deputising for a ‘Turbo’ DMU on a Paddington-Twyford commuter service, former Scottish Class 47/7s return to passenger duties in Fife, Class 47s return to Cardiff-Rhymney services, the first Class 87-hauled passenger train on the Anglian main line, D1015’s marathon 3-day tour from London Euston to London Victoria – via Exeter, Birmingham and the Central Wales Line, 40 145’s Scottish adventure to Aberdeen and Inverness, 87 012 on Silverlink’s ‘Cobbler’ service, 55 019 on the Southern Region en-route to Havant…and coverage of the Norwich gala with classes 20, 31, 33 on passenger services to Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.

THERE’S ALSO:DRS Cass 20s on the ‘weedkilling’ train, Royal-liveried 67 005 on scrap ‘slammers’ to Caerwent, 47 145 on test train duties in West Wales, DRS Class 20s and 37s on Network Rail ‘s autumn ‘water jet’ trains, GB Railfreight Class 73s visit York, four Cotswold Rail Class 47s running light engine from Oxley to Willesden, five Class 73s running from Eastleigh to Tonbridge, 73 136 returns to the main line, 37 605 towing a ‘stoneblower’ from Ashford to Cambridge, 56 057 on Nene Valley freight…and 47 826 reaches Mallaig!

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Dover And Out (120-mins) ()

Ref: LP398D

166 years of Travelling Post Office trains came to end in early 2004. This cab-ride programme features the last surviving TPO service to run on the former Southern Region – the 1O90 16.30 Willesden Railnet to Dover Priory. And it features classic Southern traction – two Class 73 Electro-Diesels.

After the 73’s marshal the train inside the Railnet terminal, the 94-mile run starts with 73 133 running on diesel power as it hauls the train out of the terminal and across the busy West Coast Main Line to West London Junction. At Mitre Bridge Junction, the ED switches to the third rail DC supply for the run through Kensington Olympia and beond. At Clapham Junction the 1O90 is routed via Balham, Streatham Common to East Croydon. From there, it travels through Merstham tunnel before reaching Redhill from where the journey continues via Godstone and Edenbridge. At Tonbridge the train recesses in the Royal Mail terminal for a ‘rush hour’ pathing stop. Once on the move again, the TPO continues through Headcorn to Ashford. From here it runs along the completed, but yet to be opened, Channel Tunnel Rail Link. After Dollands Moor, 73 133 heads for Folkestone where there are spectacular views from the cab of the white cliffs of Dover as the TPO skirts the coastline on a glorious summers evening. At Dover Priory, Royal Mail staff load the train with post and there are scenes inside the TPO as the sorting staff begin their evening shift. The train reverses for the next leg of the journey, with 73 136 at the helm for a fast non-stop run to Ashford. At Tonbridge, the TPO runs into the freight yard where it reverses to enable 73 133 to haul the 1O90 the final mile from the yard to the terminal - on diesel power! Six months later, the TPO’s and the EWS Class 73s had been consigned to history.

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The Long Short Drag (120-mins)

Ref: LP458D

A 'Wired for Sound' programme over one of Britain's most scenic routes - the Settle-Carlisle - plus the Aire Valley route!.

After departing from Carlisle station, the train heads for Petteril Bridge Junction which marks the start of the S&C. From here it’s uphill for virtually all of the 48 miles to Ais Gill summit as the line climbs through Langwathby, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. The S&C is famous not only for its outstanding scenery but also its railway infrastructure and the route is dotted with tunnels and viaducts as it weaves its way across the Pennine Fells. Engineering masterpieces from the 19th century include the viaducts at Dandry Mire, Arten Gill and Ribblehead and the tunnels at Rise Hill and Blea Moor. Manual signal boxes and semaphore signals have survived the passage of time and the line still retains a number of delightfully antiquated stations. The spectacular views are accompanied by the magical sound of an English Electric Class 37 as it tackles the challenging gradients of the ‘long drag’. After Settle Junction, the 1E23 continues south via Hellifield and Gargrave to Skipton from where there’s some spirited running ‘under the wires’, through Keighley and Bingley along the scenic Aire Valley route to the trains destination at Leeds City station.

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Traction 2005 Part 1 (90-mins) ()

Ref: LP459D

Although it was almost certain that 2005 would fail to produce the usual ‘two-parter’ this was not the case. In fact we had the usual problem of trying to cram all the footage into 90 minutes! So here are just a few of the items covered in this programme….the first and last Class 87-hauled DRS trains, three Class 57s towing a ‘Pendolino’ from Asfordby to Oxley, four Class 73s on one GBRf ballast train, 37 427 rescuing a failed 66 on an Ironbridge MGR, ‘silver machine’ 67 029 on steel trains, 87 014 hauling a Class 325 mail train, Large Logo 37 425 on china clay duties in Cornwall, Royal Scotsman Class 31s, Railtrack-liveried 73 212 + 73 213 on ballast duties, DRS’ 37 606 working a Liverpool Street-Norwich service, 47 810 rescuing a Virgin ‘Pendolino’, Class 50s break new ground in Scotland, 40 145’s three-day ‘Silver Jubilee’ railtour, D1015 storming Luxulyan bank en-route to Newquay, 55 019 returns to the ECML, 33 103 on the East Grinstead and Lowestoft branches, Class 31s rescue Network Rails’ HST, 56 057 on the Nene Valley…plus coverage of the West Somerset, Mid-Hants and North York Moors diesel galas.

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Traction 2004 Part 2 (90-mins) ()

Ref: LP397D

FREIGHT TRAFFIC & TRACTION: 37 416 + 37 421 on a Millerhill-Thornton MGR, Royal-liveried 67 005 on the Colnbrook tanks, DRS Class 20s on the Chiltern Line with nuclear flasks, French-liveried Class 56s and 58s emerge from Toton and Old Oak Common, triple-headed ‘Tractors’ on the 6S75 Bescot-Mossend enterprise, 2xClass 09 shunters working the Llanwern-Newport trip, the first freight working for GB Railfreight’s Class 73’s, 37 114 + 37 698 working a Daw Mill-Ratcliffe MGR, celebrity Class 37s return for the sandite season, GBRf’s 87 013 hauling new ballast wagons from Thameshaven to Carlisle…and Class 20s D8056 + 20 168 on coal and cement traffic in Derbyshire.

PASSENGER TRACTION & WORKINGS, RAILTOURS & SPECIALS: 37 372 and 37 698 plus the last day of Class 37s on Arriva’s Leeds-Carlisle service, Cotswold Class 47s on diverted London-Norwich services during the Ipswich tunnel blockade, 37 425 hauling Virgin’s Newquay-Manchester HST, FGW’s heritage-liveried 47 815 on a HST drag from Old Oak Common to Bristol, 47 200 + 47 316 hauling the ‘Queen of Scots’ to Chichester, Riviera Class 47s on North Wales services, 37 197 + 47 853 working the ‘Royal Scotsman’, 37 261 deputising for steam on the Fort William-Mallaig ‘Jacobite’, 40 145 storming through Warrington, DRS’ 37 229 on an HST drag, Class 50s venture to Kings Lynn…and 45 112 arriving at Edinburgh.

THERE’S ALSO: 47 355 + 73 107 hauling a rake of Southern Region de-icers from Ramsgate to Immingham, 37 197 + 37 261 towing a fire-damaged Class 175 DMU along the Preston Docks branch, 50 049 reaches Llandudno, 31 602 rescuing Iris test DMU, 47 145 and 47 829 hauling redundant Virgin Mark 3 stock to Bicester, four GB Railfreight Class 73s on Bethnal Green bank, 45 112 hauling a Network Rail inspection saloon over the S&C, ‘silver machine’ 67 029 + DVT on a test run to Crewe, 57 601 hauling two DEMU’s from Redhill to Swindon…and 56 057 returns to action at the Nene Valley Railway.

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Capital Syphons (60 mins)

Ref: LP431D

Clapham Junction to Temple Mills via Putney, Kew, Cricklewood & Tottenham.

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Double Scotch (240-mins) ()

Ref: LP463D

This ‘double-disc’ DVD set features a ‘Wired for Sound’ cab-ride on board 40 145 on a 190-mile journey from Aberdeen to Inverness. This was filmed during the ‘Whistlers’ marathon Scottish trip in August 2005. Thanks to the co-operation of the Class 40 Preservation Society and EWS, our cameras and microphones were on board the loco to capture the Class 40 as it tackled the challenging gradients of two impressive routes. The cab footage is complimented by lineside views of the train as it heads for Kyle where it became the first ‘Whistler’ to reach this remote Scottish outpost in 24 years

DISC 1 : Aberdeen-Inverness features 40 145 on the108-mile route from Aberdeen to Inverness. It begins with the 32-mile climb through Dyce, Inverurie and Insch to Kennethmont summit. After dropping through Huntly the line climbs again through Keith to run through the heart of ‘whisky country’ to Tauchers summit. After descending to Elgin, a series of varying gradients carry the line through Forres and Nairn to Inverness. With all but 5 miles of the route single track, and with all but one of the stations still equipped with semaphore signaling, this line still retains much of its charm from when Class 40s regularly plied the route.

DISC 2 : Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh. After setting off from Inverness and crossing Clachnaharry swing bridge, 40 145 is at full bore as it powers alongside the Beauly Firth towards Muir of Ord. After a spirited run to Dingwall, the train leaves the Far North Line to take the 63-mile branch to Kyle. And that’s where the serious stuff begins. The four miles of 1 in 50 up to Raven Rock summit have the 40 slipping on a wet rail. The 1 in 50 climb from Garve to Corriemoillie summit is equally loud, as is the 15-mile slog from Lochluichart to Luib summit. The last 18 miles are truly picturesque as 40 145 whistles its way along the shores of Loch Karron before arriving at Kyle

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Crompton Countdown (80 mins)

Ref: LP451D

A detailed look at the Class 33s.

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Arcs and Sparks (115 mins)

Ref: LP380D

Join two of First GBRf’s Class 73s for a fascinating cab ride across the southern half of London. ‘The Caterham Corps’ charity train (which ran on 10th October 2009 to help raise funds for ‘Help for Heroes’) took Class 73 locomotives 73 212 and 73 213 over a number of routes that rarely see a loco-hauled train. The mind-boggling itinerary even included four normally EMU-only branches!

The journey begins with 73 212 tackling the stiff climb out of London Victoria on its 600hp diesel engine as the train (formed of Hastings DEMU 1001) heads for its first calling point at Bromley North. The train then reverses to enable 73 213 to lead the tour on the next leg of its journey to London Bridge – via the Lee Curve, the Crayford Spur and the North Kent Line through Woolwich, Charlton and Greenwich. That’s followed by a return trip from London Bridge to Hayes, the train traveling via New Cross, Lewisham, New Beckenham and Elmers End. After returning to London Bridge 73 212 sets off again – this time heading for Caterham in the North Downs. The EDs and the DEMU then head back to Purley where, after another reversal, they then head for the buffer stops at Tattenham Corner. From there, 73 213 hauls the train across south west London to Clapham Junction and onto the West London Line to Kensington Olympia. Now running on just its diesel engine, the 73 continues to Willesden, Acton Wells and the North London Line to Gunnersbury Junction..from where it travels over London Underground’s District Line to Richmond. For the final stage of the journey, we travel in the cab of the Hastings DEMU as the veteran unit works under its own power back to London Victoria.

This DVD features the highlights from a fascinating and complex trip across London’s busy rail network. The superb views from the cab, filmed in glorious autumn sunshine, are complemented by lineside views of this bizarre and unique train formation.

Price: £19.96 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £16.63 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

Traction 2009 Part 2 (??-mins) ()

Ref: LP379D

FREIGHT TRAFFIC & TRACTION: The unveiling of Freightliner’s new Class 70s at Newport Docks and their very first revenue earning trains, 31 190 on the Boston steel, 47 727 & 47 739 on the Tilbury to Burton Cemex tanks, 37 602 on ballast duties at Barmouth, D1015 hauling redundant china clay tanks from Quidhampton to Burngullow, 67 003 rescuing the Felixstowe-Birch Coppice intermodal, 47812 hauling two ballast cleaners from Plymouth to Rugby, 87 701 & 87 702 return to the main line on hire to GB Railfreight, 47 270 & 56 303 return to the main line for Hanson Traction, Large Logo 37 425 returns to traffic for DBS, Stobart livery for 92 017, Class 58s in France and Class 87s in Bulgaria.

PASSENGER TRACTION, RAILTOURS & SPECIALS: 37 401 & 37 670 venture to Weymouth for FGW, DRS Class 47s on summer Saturday services to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, DRS 37s and 47s on the temporary Workington-Maryport passenger ‘Flood-ex’ shuttles, D1015 breaks new ground at Scarborough and Blaenau Ffestiniog, 20 302 on the West Highland Line heading for Fort William, 40 145 slogging its way up to Drumochter summit en route to Inverness, 47 580 & 55 022 work North York Moors trains to Whitby, 33 207 working over the Chiltern Line…and South West Trains’ 73 235 shunting a charter train at Weymouth.

THERE’S ALSO: 20 189 & 20 227 on hire to GBRf delivering new London Underground S stock from Old Dalby to Neasden, Virgin Class 57s hauling Class 321 EMU’s to Eastleigh Works, 20 306 hauling a buffet car coach from Southampton Eastern Docks to Eastleigh Works – bonnet first, 86 401 shunting coaching stock at Willesden TMD, 33 202 returns to action at the Mangapps Farm Railway, Class 27 D5394 hauling its first trains in ten years at Bo’ness, 50 008 returns to action at the Nene Valley, 56 101 re-emerges at Barrow Hill while 20 059 & 37 264 do likewise at the Severn Valley.

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Price: £16.63 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

TOTON: The Works (??-mins) ()

Ref: LP423D

TOTON TRACTION MAINTENANCE DEPOT in Nottinghamshire is the single largest locomotive workshop in the UK. In the summer of 1998 (when this programme was filmed) the depot had an allocation of more than 200 locomotives and it undertook a variety of work ranging from A Exams and re-fuelling to engine re-builds and general overhauls. Under the early years of English, Welsh & Scottish Railway, Toton became the centre of the company’s diesel locomotive maintenance operations and had its role extended to include work previously carried out at major works. This programme provides a unique and comprehensive insight into the UK’s premier traction depot, including:

* TOTON SPOT CHECK: You’d be amazed at what goes on at Toton at any given time…..like engine repairs to Virgin’s 47 825, the overhaul of Freightliner’s 47 308, fuel leak attention to 58 001, an A exam for 37 116, a B exam for 31 163, a bogie swap for 37 798, fire damage repairs to 60 056…and the arrival of a graffiti-covered 56 011.

* CLASS 56 GENERAL OVERHAUL: from start to finish, 56 094’s three month residency at Toton. Includes the power unit removal, cleaning and re-painting the engine room, re-fitting the overhauled power unit, load bank testing, the application of EWS livery and the re-fitting of the locos Eggborough Power Station nameplates.

* THE NIGHT SHIFT: the depot goes into overdrive as a seemingly endless queue of locos visit the refuelling point throughout the night, while inside the depot fitters ensure repairs and exams are completed in time for the morning shift.

* MAINTENANCE ASPECTS: Toton’s Production Engineer provides a fascinating insight into the pros and cons of each loco class maintained at Toton. Find out how classes 08, 31, 37, 47, 56, 58 and 60 are really rated by the professionals!

* THE NEW CLASS 66: The first of EWS’ Class 66s had only just arrived from Canada. The project engineer responsible for their introduction provides a detailed and authoritative guided tour of 66 001 before it had even entered traffic.

* THERE’S ALSO: locomotive performance statistics, the 2 converted Class 37 ‘transporter units’, the Toton traincrew operation, how locos are called for exams, power unit overhauls, the wheel lathe….and the nameplate storeroom!

Price: £19.96 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £16.63 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

National Grid (115-mins) ()

Ref: LP415D

Join the footplate of 56096 for a spectacular and nostalgic 104-mile coast-to-coast trip across the lowlands of Scotland from the Firth of Clyde to the shores of the Forth. The Grid was in fine fettle for this “Wired for Sound” cab ride for which it is hauling the 7G80 merry-go-round, conveying 1,200 tonnes of imported coal from Hunterston to Longannet power station in Fife.

The journey begins with the stiff climb out of the Hunterston loading terminal up to West Kilbride. After skirting the coast at Saltcoats, the train heads north through Dalry and Lochwinnoch to reach the outskirts of Glasgow at Paisley, which marks the start of a complex 20-mile trek across the city suburbs via Shields Junction, Polmadie, Rutherglen, Coatbridge and Garnqueen North Junction.

At Cumbernauld, the 7G80 continues onto the then freight-only line to Greenhill Lower Junction, followed by the semaphore-signalled junctions of Carmuirs West and Carmuirs East. The coal continues via Falkirk Grahamston, Polmont, Linlithgow and Dalmeny before reaching one of Britain’s greatest railway structures - the Forth Bridge. After North Queensferry, full power is resumed for the run through Inverkeithing, Rosyth and Dunfermline – where the Grid is at near-meltdown on the notoriously steep bank! The 7G80 then enters Townhill loop to enable the 56 to run round its HAA hoppers before completing the final leg of the journey.

After heading back through Dunfermline, the train diverges onto the truncated remains of the line to Alloa. This 10-mile freight-only branch provides some delightful scenery as it skirts the banks of the Firth of Forth before reaching Longannet power station. Today, Class 56s on coal traffic are but a memory…as is the routing of the Longannet coal traffic via the Forth Bridge and Dunfermline. Today, it all travels via Stirling and Alloa.

Price: £19.96 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £16.63 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

Traction 2003 Part 1 (??-mins) ()

Ref: LP403D

Features action from January to May of 2003, including Freight Traffic and Traction; Passenger Traction, Workings, Railtours and Specials; plus miscellaneous action.

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Traction 2003 Part 2 (??-mins) ()

Ref: LP402D

Covers the period June to December and includes Freight Traffic and Traction; Passenger Traction; Workings, Railtours and Specials; plus a number of other items.

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Traction 2004 Part 1 (90-mins) (DVD)

Ref: LP399D

Freight Traffic & Traction

Passenger Traction, Railtours and Specials The returnof Class 31 hauled passenger trains in the North West; the end of EWS Class 47s for First North Western; "top & tail" Class 37/4s workings to Merthyr Tydfill 45112 on Midland Main Line passenger duties; Class 87s going into store at Bicester; 37203 working to Rhymney; Virgin's 47851 on an EWS charter train to South Wales; 37675 rescuing the VSOE; 31601 in Wessex Trains livery; 47635 reinstated to work a Cardiff to York charter and 40145 storming the South Devon banks. Plus extensive coverage of the two final Class 56 railtours, the Sarum Flyer and the Twilight Grids.

ALSO "Royal" 47799 on Serco test train duties; 31106 venturing to Mallaig with an inspection saloon; the return of former Tinsley favourite 47145; Network Rail's 73213 on Serco duties; 73109 rescuing Wessex Class 31s after they run out of fuel; 47635 hauling Railnet units from Crewe to Wembley; 47355 hauling a Voyager unit; Network Rail's yellow HST power car on a Midland Main Line test train; Cromptons return to the Meldon Quarry branch; six Spain bound Class 58s at Newport Docks; 57601 on an inspection saloon in Suffolk plus coverage of the North York Moors, West Somerset and Mid-Hants diesel galas.

Price: £19.96 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £16.63 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

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Royal Scots Grey, All the Way

Ref: LP427D

Price: £20.40 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £17.00 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

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Black & Blue (90-mins) (DVD-R)

Ref: LP400D

Class 56s have been a familiar sight hauling coal trains on Humberside for more than 20 years.

This programme features BR corporate blue-liveried 56 006 ‘WIRED FOR SOUND’ on a working synonymous with the class in more recent years - the Immingham to Scunthorpe coal.

The outward 7C77 working conveys imported coal from Immingham Bulk Terminal to the Corus steelworks at Scunthorpe. The trailing load is 1,600 tonnes, which provides a stiff test for the Rumanian-built 56. The train first weaves its way through the fascinating rail complex serving lmmingham Docks before heading towards Ulceby and Brocklesby Junction. At Barnetby, a location renowned for its superb collection of semaphore signals, the 7C77 bears right at Wrawby Junction to tackle the short but sharp climb of Elsham bank.

Manual crossing gates and more semaphores follow at Elsham and Appleby before the 56 encounters the most challenging part of the journey - the severe climb of Appleby bank which has the Grid at ‘full chat’. After that comes Scunthorpe and another fascinating maze of trackwork. After negotiating its way across an almost endless series of points, the 7C77 finally arrives in Scunthorpe Yard to deliver its wagon-loads of ‘black gold’. 56 006 then swaps trains by attaching to the 6C75 empties for a spirited non-stop run back to lmmingham Bulk Terminal.

The 46-mile round trip was filmed on a glorious winter’s afternoon, the blue Grid reviving memories of the late 1970s and early ‘5Os. With Class 56 operation on the Scunthorpe coal now at an end, this programme provides a nostalgic reminder of what was once an everyday sight.

Price: £20.40 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £17.00 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

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Double O (??-mins) ()

Ref: LP401D

Features 2 wired-for-sound cab rides: 37055 from Cardiff to Rhymney & 37131 & 37229 from Cardiff to Aberthaw Power Station.

Price: £20.40 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £17.00 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

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North Star South West (120-mins) (DVD-R)

Ref: LP404D

47 840 "North Star" was the fifth and final Virgin Trains Class 47 to be repainted into an historic livery to commemorate the end of Class 47 haulage on Cross Country services. Representing the corporate blue era, the locomotive was a regular performer on Western Region passenger services during the 1970s and early 1980s when it was numbered 47 077. On 19th.August 2002, the loco reverted to this historic identity wehn together with 47 847, it departed from penzance with Virgin's final loco-hauled 1M56 08:46 service to Manchester. Three days earlier, North Star was given a final solo outing on the same train. This programme combines cab and lineside footage from both journeys to provide a nostalgic record of Virgin's last long distance Class 47 hauled service.

To capture 47 840's "Sulzer" engine hard at work, the loco was specially "Wired for Sound". With a demanding set of timings, North Star is soon put through its paces as it tackles a series of Cornish gradients - the 10 mile climb from Hayle to Redruth, the 1 in 78 standing start from Truro, the short sharp climb from Par to Treverrin Tunnel and the impressive slog up to Largin Bank. After crossing the Royal Albert Bridge, 1M56 passes through the Plymouth suburbs before encountering the fearsome banks of Hemerdon and Dainton. There's a broef respite for the 47 as the train skirts the coastline aloing the seawall at Teignmouth and Dawlish before reaching Exeter, after which there is a spirited run up to Whiteball summit. Some fast running ensues to Bristol from where there is a rouding ascent to Filton. At Westerleigh Junction, 1M56 heads north through Yate and Cheltenham to Bromsgrove which is at the start of the infamous Lickey Incline. After reaching the summit at 40mph, the journey continues through the Birmingham suburbs to reach New Street station via Proof House Junction. The programme concludes with further scenes from 19th.August's commemorative farewell as 47 077 & 47 847 haul an additional 1Z56 Birmingham to Derby before both locos take their place in an historic livery line up at Toton MPD.

A wired-for-sound cab ride from Penzance to Birmingham in blue 47840.

Price: £20.40 (Including VAT at 20%)
Price: £17.00 Excluding VAT (non-EU countries e.g.Australia)

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