The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Steam Again in Devon
Steam Again in Devon - the Iconic Flying Scotsman
In partnership with:
Overview
The famous green steam locomotive the Flying Scotsman 4472 returns to tour along the English Riviera at Torbay with a distinct 1970s wish you are here picture postcard feel. A steam train still operates on part of this line from Paignton at Goodrington Sands to Dartmouth. Operated by London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) from 1923 the Flying Scotsman was put up for scrap by British Rail in 1962 and survived a further 10 years before being shipped to tour in America and Canada.
The Flying Scotsman famed for its London to Edinburgh journey is part of our popular culture; it appears in a 1929 film of the same; in 2000, the trusty locomotive prepares to haul the Orient Express in 102 Dalmatians; it features in Rev. W. Awdry's the Railway Series Books; it is a Hornby bestseller; it stars in a British Rail TV advert in 1986; it is an engraving on the London 2012 Olympics special edition five pound coin; and is the name of a Ceilidh dance! In 1934, it breaks the land speed record for rail achieving 100 miles an hour and in 1989 sets the record in Australia for the longest nonstop run at 422 miles. Built by the Doncaster Railway Works it is now in York's National Railway Museum (NRM).
Related
Among the Rails of Wales Among the Rails of Wales
Amateur film 1952 12 mins Location: Welshpool/Y Trallwng
Jim Fraser of Bristol, with great affection for his subject, introduces the viewer to the “quaint little railways and tramways” of Wales.
Trail of The Iron Horse Trail of The Iron Horse
Amateur film 1966 37 mins Location: Maldon
Shy and testy retired signalman Wally Trigg chats to amateur filmmaker and railway enthusiast Chib Thorp, as Micky the Collie happily ambles along the overgrown railway line.
The Rocket The Rocket
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Darlington
A full size replica of Robert Stephenson’s world famous locomotive, The Rocket, steams up a 1920s crowd at the North Road Works in Darlington.
Railway with a Heart of Gold Railway with a Heart of Gold
Documentary 1965 15 mins Location: Talyllyn Railway
At the heart of the Talyllyn Railway are the volunteers – e.g. schoolboys, bus drivers, actors – whose commitment ensures the line’s continuance, despite the odd derailment.
A Special Event A Special Event
Amateur film 1958 2 mins Silent
The West Sussex Downsman railtour visits Midhurst, eminent Victorians appear in Petersfield and part of the town's railway fabric is demolished just before its centenary
Railway Vicar Railway Vicar
News 1978 7 mins Location: Royal Leamington Spa
Church bells, organs and choirs are all sounds you'd expect to hear at a church - but what about the sound of a steam locomotive at full tilt?
Torquay to Brixham Swim Torquay to Brixham Swim
News 1963 1 mins Silent Location: Torbay
Competitors take to the water for the annual Torquay to Brixham swim.
Fish and Trip with Angler Ted Tuckerman and Irish Band the Bachelors Fish and Trip with Angler Ted Tuckerman and Irish Band the Bachelors
Current affairs 1980 4 mins Location: Torbay
Fisherman Ted Tuckerman's catch of the day!
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.