Decades Of Steam (UK-import)
Triple pack of programmes focusing on steam trains over the decades. 'Decades of Steam - 1920s' looks at the amalgamation of the Victorian companies in 1923 to form the 'Big four' railways: The Great Western, the Southern, the London, Midland and Scottish and the London and North Eastern. Both common and rare locomotive types are featured including Great Western 'Dukes', 'M7s' and 'A1' Pacifics. 'Decades of Steam - 1930s' focuses on the following decade, a period of austerity for the railways as they tried to meet the competition of the roads. The GWR, LMS and LNER embarked on massive steam locomotive construction programmes whilst the Southern pursued its own agenda of electrification. Finally, 'British Steam of Yesteryear' looks at the official retirement of steam trains and the efforts of a dedicated band of enthusiasts to keep the tradition alive during the 50s and 60s. From the North East to Bournemouth, the programme features a selection of the most interesting lines from the old British Railways network.