Diesel Train Ride 1959

Through the forward-looking windows of the new diesel multiple-unit trains reveals a new world of signs, signals and railway sights to those who ride behind the driver. For children, particularly, find this is a fascinating experience. This film communicates something of their excitement and wonder as well as some of the wry, un-conscious humour with which their pertinent and amusing questions and comments are so often interlerded.

Further Notes: Duncan Wilcox advises that the North Eastern views were taken on the Newcastle to Carlisle line. The bridge with the wrought iron arch suspending the railway was on the North Wylam line, where it crossed the River Tyne. The film cuts just before the westbound train trails over the junction with the line that runs (still) via Blaydon. The long scene showing a curving station with painted edge stones, starts just before Great Corby. The train runs over a level crossing before going round a curve and over Corby Burn viaduct. On other side of the viaduct is the crossing at Great Corby, the train runs past the signal box at the crossing, past the small goods yard and then over the River Eden viaduct and through the station at Wetheral. There are then some rather nice views of the Cockermouth Keswick and Penrith Railway including the station at Penruddock. The train runs past Blencathra with its destinctive 'Saddle Back' and you get views of the slopes of Skiddaw accross Bassenthwaite Lake.

The short tunnel scene is probably Whitchester tunnel, just before Haltwhistle, on the Newcastle - Carlisle line. You get a really short glimpse of the River South Tyne once the train has left the tunnel.