The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
To Build an Island's Future
Through blazing sun and monsoon rain new British built diesel locomotives keep communications open on the far off island of Ceylon.
From the collection of:
Overview
Sri Lanka's rail network was built by the British in the second half of the 19th century. When this film was made in 1954 the island was still known as Ceylon and its railways were making the transition from steam to diesel. Brush Bagnall Traction Ltd of Loughborough made this promotional film to celebrate the delivery of the first main line diesel locomotives to the island. Designed for the testing monsoon conditions these locomotives ran on into the 1980s.
Related
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Regimental Sports Regimental Sports
Amateur film 1938 11 mins Silent Location: Loughborough
A last gasp for the British Army's cavalry: the skilled horsemen of the Leicestershire Yeomanry perform for a local audience.
Workforce of Brush Electric Co. Falcon Works, Loughborough (1900) Workforce of Brush Electric Co. Falcon Works, Loughborough (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent Location: Loughborough
A well-staged exit of workers from a Leicestershire manufacturer for the transport industry.
Workforce Leaving Cartwright & Warner Hosiery Works, Loughborough (1900) Workforce Leaving Cartwright & Warner Hosiery Works, Loughborough (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Loughborough
Victorian women workers (and a few men) hasten through the gates of the hosiery works after their shift.
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.