A film showing a day in the life of York Station in 1953. When I was a young man working for British Rail I used to show this film as a BR projectionist (princely sum of £5 per visit!) to Women's Institute groups, etc.
First saw this film in 1960 when I was a 13 Yr old schoolboy. I've watched it many times since and each time I remember the first viewing. It was already dated by 1960 but looking back now it seems like a totally different world. I love the steam locomotive and worked on the railways but in the days of steam there was a lot of hard and dirty work involved that few would tolerate today. The big thing that I notice is the way we all pulled together then, whereas now everyone seems to be an expert on everything and they all know better than the guy who's actually doing the job. Makes me wonder where we went wrong. Thanks for the memories of days long gone!
Probably in my late 20s when I first saw this I'm not sure if I have the words to describe the beauty, and then you forgets and every few years you're taken back to this wonderful film, and it's just possible it gets a little bit better every time
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams
British Railways seen as a huge organisation back then with everything working together. All the regions,their land transport,ferries,hotels and more. I’m 59 but missed this by a good few years and wished I could have been there.
Brings back many memories, both painful and exciting . Trains still, at age 77, can easily turn me to tears as much of my childhood, being an Army brat, meant moving and leaving one place or another. Beeching pulled service from my North Yorkshire town of Kirkbymoorside and the station was torn down a couple of years ago so a physical representation of my life vanishes but it leaves strong memories to recall. Old films such as these also remind us of the horrible pollution which was exacted upon everything by this marvelous invention. It make one wonder how long it will be when existence on this Earth will come to an end for humans.
The interesting thing is that the Victorian road bridge over the station tracks (single span) is still in operation. It wouldn't have been designed for the ‘Very Heavy Loads’ currently carried from the engineering works at the bottom of Ings Lane. This is a testament to Victorian engineering, but it has been pointed out there is a very slight “dip” at the apex! You used to be able to climb on all the engines in the old museum and York station reeked of smoke in the "good old days", not conveyed by a video!!
Its always interesting to look at the credits on films, such as this lovely one, produced by an organisation's in-house film unit, as they include names of technicians who went on the greater and bigger things. The assistant cameraman on this film, Bob Paynter, became a highly respected DoP on many famous films such as Trading Places, American Werewolf in London and Michael Jackson's Thriller. The Coal Board also had its own film dept where highly esteemed cameraman and photographer Wolfgang Suschitzky (Get Carter 1971) worked early in his career. As for York Station itself, I recall being taken there by my father in the late 1950s and being thrilled by express steam trains thundering through its magnificent and beautiful curved structure. It has featured in several movies including Chariots of Fire and a Harry Potter film.
The general look at York station still looks the same Fantastic atmosphere with the big trains coming down from Scotland to London,not Deltics or A4 but still great to watch.Just beware of the chavs coming down from Newcastle at the weekend.York is still the most interesting City in GB with the walls , Barbican. Minster Old churches and of course,Pubs.Just choose your times,Atmosphere just before Christmas is fabulous indeed Greatest City in Britain
Agreed. Beautiful Jorvik, the central pillar of our proud Counties of Yorkshire. My Son, a Royal Signalman, is stationed at Jorvik, and absolutely loves the town, as do we, being Wessies.
I am glad that I visited that original railway museum...maybe where the first station had been. When I next went o the museum it was where I had visited the locos in the shed back in '64...a bit more pristine.
David, you wil find this film on the British Transport Films Collection DVD VOL 1 Titled - On and off the Rails. I bought mine on Amazon but have seen them on E-Bay. There are other short films on the DVD which i am sure would delight you too!
Once upon a time, England had the beat skilled men in the world. Nothing was too much for our legendary grafters. Replacing bomb damage in a heartbeat doesn't surprise me one bit for this generation.
13:20 "now the passengers have taken to buses, and the parcels by van": sorry, they're trying to make that a selling point? "We've closed your station! It's so much more efficient and user-friendly! 😋"?
Pity the dubbing wasn't as well informed as the train spotters; there was a Jubilee on the Sheffield train at 4:20, but the sound effects library couldn't seem to find a Stanier whistle
I also worked as a BR projectionist out of Waterloo station around 1954 to early 1960s. B.T.Fs admin manager was also named Potter. Any relation David?
Hi just seen your comment. No relation but I too was a projectionist and also showed this film at various places including on the travelling cine coach. I was based in York in the 70s when I did some projection work but my career on the railway was also spent in London Euston and Manchester Picadilly. Happy days.
Can’t help but think that God the railway companies were cheap skates even back then, charging a ‘platform fee’ to kids wanting to train spot. It’s not as if the cost of the platform ticket was going to exactly make the difference between keeping them solvent.
Just wondering if anyone can help me. I had a video growing up whereby there was a history of the UK railways and the types of trains and then a procession of locomotives with commentary. This piece of film ‘This is York’ featured at the end of the video as the last piece. Does anyone know the name of it? Ive been looking and looking and cant find it and reminds me of my childhood. Any help would be gratefully received. Thanks
The announcer with her forced RP accent and thinking that closing the lines and using a van is an improvement. Ha ha. I love steam like the next person but we should have got rid of it far earlier than we did!
The credits at 0:19 say that the music was composed by Leighton Lucas (who also wrote the score for _The Dam Busters_, though not the famous march which was by Eric Coates).