This film is part of Free
View from an Engine Front - Barnstaple
A 'phantom ride' along a fondly remembered Devon railway, crossing the distinctive Taw Bridge into Barnstaple on the way to Ilfracombe
Overview
Take a lost railway journey into Victorian Devon. As the cameraman clung to the front of a train in 1898, cranking the film by hand, things were looking up for Devon railways. In May the new Barnstaple Town station had opened to share a home with the narrow gauge Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. In the film you can see the older, empty Barnstaple Quay station after crossing the distinctive iron bridge over the River Taw.
To retrace the Ilfracombe Line from Barnstaple today you would have to be on foot or cycle as the line was closed in 1970. The bridge was demolished in 1977, but both stations still stand, repurposed as a café and a sixth form out-building for the nearby Pathfield School.
Related
Tram Journey through Southampton Tram Journey through Southampton
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
A moving tour through lively turn-of-the-century Southampton.
Churned Waters Churned Waters
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent
A hypnotic study of the wake of a ship at sea
Panorama of the Paris Exhibition No. 3 Panorama of the Paris Exhibition No. 3
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
An unusual view of Paris, shot from a boat travelling down the Seine. You can even see the Eiffel tower - almost!
Railway Ride over the Tay Bridge Railway Ride over the Tay Bridge
Non-Fiction 1897 5 mins Silent Location: Tay Bridge
Stunning train's eye views across the Tay rail bridge from Fife to Dundee
Phantom Ride - Chamonix Phantom Ride - Chamonix
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent
Admire the view but don't look down, as this short film takes you on a breathtaking trip through the Alps
A Steamship Passes By A Steamship Passes By
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins
With energetic waving of handkerchiefs to those on shore, a large steamship heads off
Halloween Hubble Bubble Halloween Hubble Bubble
Current affairs 1968 5 mins Location: Barnstaple
Children of a Devon primary school try to explain what happens on All Hallows Eve.
Barnstaple Fair Barnstaple Fair
Non-Fiction 1915 3 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Roll up, the fair's in town - even with a war on.
Barnstaple Fair in the 1920s Barnstaple Fair in the 1920s
Amateur film 1926 5 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Join the crowds in Barnstaple for fairground attractions
Barnstaple Town v Exeter City Barnstaple Town v Exeter City
Non-Fiction 1980 0 mins Location: Barnstaple
Barnstaple in pre-season friendly against Exeter City
Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple
Non-Fiction 1918 5 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Barnstaple's experimental concrete-hulled ship gets a visit from a jolly Italian admiral.
Barnstaple Skateboard Park Competition Barnstaple Skateboard Park Competition
News 1978 1 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Sidewalk surfing - Skatepark holds a tournament
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.