Description

W.A. “Cam” Camwell was one of the most active railway enthusiasts during the 1950s & 60s, the period during which British Rail ways moved from steam to diesel and electric traction and many railway lines and branches passed into history. His membership of the Stephenson Locomotive Society led him to organise many tours of threatened or interesting railway lines and he recorded as much of the network as possible both in photographs and on 16mm cine film. The latter forms the basis of this series as Cam filmed many remote and obscure lines, as well as interesting developments, on the main lines.

Volume 6 North West England and Wales Starting with 46201 in Carlisle Cam brings us footage of railways from the western side of the country. A quick return to the Stainmore line is followed by a record of the lines around South – port and Blackpool including the old L&Y engines used to provide steam heating at Central station. The last Midland 3P 4-4-0 is seen at Chinley and Caprotti 5s appear along the North Wales Main Line, which we see at Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Jct, Prestatyn and Bangor. The Amlwch branch is seen from the train and then a visit to the Caernarfon line takes us to Pwhelli. A brief visit to the Festiniog in 1955 and the Snowdon Mountain Railway is followed by the early days of preservation at Welshpool, whilst GWR tanks around the Wrexham area. We follow the Central Wales line through Knighton and Llandrindod Wells where we see ‘Super Ds’ at work and then explore many of the famous ‘Valley’ lines in South Wales, the emphasis this time being on the Swansea area including the famous Mumbles Railway and the LMS lines, both Midland and LNWR, to the town. Various mid 1950s railtours explored the dense net – works around the Valleys and we even cross the famous Crumlin Viaduct. Many more lines are covered in this programme.