In this volume we feature the first instalment of all new, and never previously seen, high quality cine films taken by the late Brian Parnell. Compiled in the running order of the original cine film, it forms the seventh episode covering Southern steam within our popular “Miscellany” series and includes footage across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset.

We begin at Oxted with the “H” Class push-pull service to Tunbridge Wells West. Other locations along this route include Hever and the junction station at Groombridge. At Upper Waringham we see passenger trains in action plus the local freight service shunting the yard followed by steam activity in and around Norward Junction engine shed. At Three Bridges, Motor Set 618 is coupled to an “H” Class tank ready for the East Grinstead auto train.

Then to the area in and around Brighton during 1962 and 1963 for plenty of steam action with a bonus of seeing the “Lancing Belle” double headed at Hove on two occasions during August 1962.

Redhill became the SR Central Division’s principle steam depot at the end of 1963. It’s allocation of locomotives included 21 Standard Class 4 2-6-4Ts. A number of visits are made to this busy station as well as around Tonbridge, Eastbourne, Polegate, Hailsham and Hellingly stations.

Next we visit the LSWR main line from London with many scenes of Waterloo, Nine Elms Shed, Clapham Junction, Wimbledon, Raynes Par, Surbiton, Woking and Basingstoke. Plus some excellent footage of the “Bournemouth Belle” including some taken from parallel running services.

A route covered in some detail is the picturesque line along the southern scarp of the North Downs from Redhill to Reigate, Betchworth, Gomshall & Shere and Guildford. Here there is a  wealth of steam hauled passenger and freight trains and even a BRCW Type 3 (the later Class 33) hauling a cement train. And coverage of the Central Division’s 1964 “Visitor of the Year”  surprise at Canklow: ex-LNER B1 No.61313 (allocated to Rotherham) on a passenger service at Reigate! Other locations visited are the Hayling Island branch, Brockenhurst, Bournemouth   Central, Bournemouth West and Swanage.

Motive power featured includes (in no particular order) ex-SR Bulleid pacifics from the Merchant Navy, West Country and Battle of Britain classes, Schools 4-4-0s, Maunsell 2-6-0 N U & U1  moguls, USA tanks, Q, Q1, H, S15, M7, A1x “Terrier”, C, K, E4, E6, H16, W classes and even  Beattie well tank 0298 along with ex-LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2Ts. Plus BR Standard Classes 4 & 5  4-6-0, Class 4 2-6-0, Class 4 2-6-4T and Class 3 2-6-2T. And, of course, the ex-LNER B1!