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Vol.246: Southern Steam Miscellany No.8 - The Brian Parnell Collection No.5
The fifth and final instalment in our series of all new and never previously seen, high quality cine films taken by the late Brian Parnell. Here we feature footage taken from one side of the erstwhile Southern Region to the other; from Kent, Sussex and Surrey to Hampshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
We begin on the Withered Arm at Barnstaple Junction, with film of trains crossing the Torridge at Torrington, T9 4-4-0s at Wadebridge and ‘Beattie Tanks’ on the Wenford Bridge china clay line.
The fearsome grade between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central is well covered and includes ‘W’ class 0-8-0T bankers. A short sequence then follows at Tipton St Johns.
Somerset & Dorset material comprises film at Bath Green Park, Midford Viaduct (near Shepton Mallet), Wincanton & Templecombe.
A route very well covered by Brian in Spring and early Summer of 1963 was the ‘H’ class 0-4-4T operated push-pull service between Oxted and Tunbridge Wells West. This also includes film taken at Hurst Green Junction, Edenbridge Town, Hever and Groombridge.
On Sunday 24th March 1963 Brian spent the morning watching engineering work close to Wimbledon including filming pre-assembled 60ft track lengths being lowered into position with the help of two ‘Q1’ 0-6-0s. Plenty of action is seen on the main line including the down ‘Bournemouth Belle’ plus shed visits to Nine Elms and Feltham. Locations visited along the North Downs line include Gomshall & Shere, Dorking Town, Deepdene, Betchworth and Reigate
At the end of 1963, Redhill was the Central Division’s principle steam depot and time is spent here watching the comings and goings. There is also footage inside one of the signal boxes here. Other locations visited in and around London were Banstead, Epsom Downs, Sutton, London Waterloo, Vauxhall, Clapham Junction and Latchmere Junction.
Finally, we visit Isle of Wight for steam action at Ryde Pierhead, Ryde Esplande, Ryde St.Johns Road, Smallbrook Junction, Newport, Cowes, Shanklin and Ventnor. Watch those ‘O2’ 0-4-4T tanks scurrying about!
The film was taken mainly between 1961 and 1967. Motive power includes ex-SR Bulleid Pacifics of the ‘Merchant Navy’, ‘West Country’ & ‘Battle of Britain’ classes, Maunsell 2-6-0 N and U moguls, Q1, H, S15, M7, O2, W classes, ‘Beattie’ well tank 0298, ex-GWR 45xx and ex-LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2Ts. Plus BR Standard Classes 4 & 5 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-0s, Class 4 2-6-4T and Class 3 2-6-2T. EMUs and even the occasional diesel make appearances.
This nostalgic look at the last years of Southern steam is entirely in colour and as usual includes a informative commentary and an authentic sound track.
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