Volume Eight Steam in 1962

1962 was the last year before Dr Beeching changed the face of British Railways for ever – but it was still a year of contrasts. Ivo Peters’ 16mm colour film record of the changing times of the railways starts with a tour of the public industries of the Birmingham area, which boasted a wide variety of fascinating, and often immaculate, small tank engines, working in classic industrial settings. Steam, however, is fun! Who else but Teddy Boston would do his shopping by steam roller ?! A unique film of a unique man. One of Ivo’s favourite films.
On BR Ivo filmed the last of the Great Western’s small Saddle Tank Dock shunters, visited Swindon with the Lord Nelson and recorded the complex workings around Yeovil Town amongst others.
The saddest point of the programme appropriately ends it: the very last Pines Express on the Somerset & Dorset Railway with Evening Star.