The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
The Long Drag
Not just a chance to see locomotives steaming over viaducts, with the axe hanging over both, here we have the full glory of the Settle to Carlisle line, and its place in rural life.
From the collection of:
Overview
A real labour of love, this film is a fine demonstration of how amateur filmmakers could play a part in campaigning for local services. With the impending Beeching Report of 1963 there could hardly have been a better plea for the retention of the Settle to Carlisle railway and all its services than this traversing of the whole length of the line by train and by foot, stopping off to reveal its many wonders and recording the fascinating history of the line and of those who built it.
This award winning film was made by members of Halifax Cine Club, founded in 1938 and having at its height nearly a hundred members (and still going). Although not overtly a referring to the impending Beeching Report, the filmmakers clearly had this in mind in making the film, highlighting the plight of the 6,000 navvies who built the line. Despite the Beeching recommendation to withdraw all passenger services from the line being shelved, there were soon plans to close the line. An announcement to close the line in 1983 was successfully campaigned against by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line, stations have been re-opened and the line now thrives with some 1.2 million passengers a year.
Related
Watch for free
Farewell to Steam Farewell to Steam
Amateur film 1966 3 mins Silent Location: Hampshire
A film maker's attempt to record the last steam-hauled passenger and freight trains running along the West of England mainline from Waterloo
Watch for free
Track Testing Track Testing
1976 8 mins Silent
Testing times as we make a journey on board British Rail's High Speed Track Recording Coach.
Watch for free
Training Diesel Drivers Training Diesel Drivers
News 1962 6 mins Location: Derby
Farewell to the faithful steam war-horse as modernisation brings diesel power to the railways of Britain.
Watch for free
Inter-city Magic Inter-city Magic
Documentary 1977 1 mins Silent
Not-so-special special effects add the magic touch to this kitsch British Rail commercial.
Watch for free
Blue Pullman Blue Pullman
Industry sponsored film 1960 24 mins
A new luxury express is put through its paces. This film looks over the shoulders of the select band of craftsmen, engineers and operators, whose combined skills try to ensure that a train journey is a delightful experience.
Watch for free
A Future on Rail A Future on Rail
Industry sponsored film 1957 9 mins
A 1957 film examining the future for British Railways, and some of the opportunities provided by a new modernisation plan.
Watch for free
Settle Wings for Victory Settle Wings for Victory
Amateur film 1943 12 mins Silent Location: Settle
The people of Settle fly past their governmental financial target in this endearing record of community spirit during the Second World War.
Watch for free
Village of Wray After the Floods 1967 Village of Wray After the Floods 1967
Amateur film 1967 9 mins Silent Location: Wray
The freak flash flooding in the village of Wray wreaks havoc.
Watch for free
End of the Line? End of the Line?
Documentary 1985 26 mins Location: Dent Sta
The battle lines are drawn up for and against closing a historic railway line, with the latter proving the more determined and persuasive.
Watch for free
Where and What to See in the Yorkshire Dales Where and What to See in the Yorkshire Dales
Travelogue 1972 24 mins Location: Butter Tubs
A magical mystery tour through the rich history of abbeys, cathedrals and druid temples nestled among the even more ancient Yorkshire landscape of scars, crags and caverns.
Watch for free
Settle Warships Week Settle Warships Week
Non-Fiction 1942 14 mins Silent Location: Settle
This is a fine example of an amateur filmmaker giving a real feel of their local town; here pulling together to raise money for a warship, and providing a glimpse into wartime life.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.