An amateur film by railway enthusiast Chris Lawson concentrates steam rail operations up and down the country as well as the North East. The film includes a special excursion by the Flying Scotsman and views of shunting engines believed to be at Southampton Docks. The film opens on a four track railway, possibly a main line, and a steam passenger train heading towards a high angle camera position. From the track side engine no. 35008 MN [Merchant Navy] class 4-6-2 speeding by on its own...

An amateur film by railway enthusiast Chris Lawson concentrates steam rail operations up and down the country as well as the North East. The film includes a special excursion by the Flying Scotsman and views of shunting engines believed to be at Southampton Docks. The film opens on a four track railway, possibly a main line, and a steam passenger train heading towards a high angle camera position. From the track side engine no. 35008 MN [Merchant Navy] class 4-6-2 speeding by on its own without a train. Travelling in the opposite direction with a passenger train is another steam engine, followed by a diesel multiple unit. The film cuts to another steam train in pristine condition LNER 4472 an A3 class engine better known as the Flying Scotsman. It hauls a passenger train and heads off around a left handed curve. A track side shot shows the special Flying Scotsman excursion leaving a main station. The film cuts to the train going through another station and then through another covered station without carriages. The Flying Scotsman heading away from the camera at another station, possibly Edinburgh Waverley. The film cuts to a much smaller engine beautifully preserved with a number 3 on the cab side. This is followed by a large engine reversing in sidings,probably at Southampton docks. This is engine no. 34090 a WCBB [West Country and Battle of Britain] class 4-6-2, which eventually hooks up with some goods wagons then leaves the docks area. A high angle view shows it travelling up the main line out of the city. A general view of similar engine, no. 35030 a MN [Merchant Navy] class 4-6-2. The next view shows the engine and train at Salisbury station. Next a car park at a small rural station as 35030 speeds through hauling a passenger train. The film cuts to a track side view of an oncoming steam train as it passes. General views of various shunting engines working around Southampton Dock. Engines identified include number 34090, 30069 the USA class 0-6-0T and 30071. Another steam train comes along a cutting followed by another on an embankment which crosses a main road. A diesel train crosses the embankment in the opposite direction. Returning  to Southampton docks a quayside view of a ship, the 'United States', at it's moorings. A view follows of the stern of the ship, with a United States flag flying. The camera pans right to show the dockside cranes. A closer view of the prow of the ship follows. A steam goods train passes through open country at speed. It is followed by a blue A4 Pacific class, on the same route.  The film cuts to a track side view of an approaching steam train about to go under a stone bridge. This is probably the A4 Pacific seen earlier and could be the Dwight D Eisenhower. A steam train comes out of a tunnel, the engine is number 92009 a BR9F class, 2-10-0, carrying loaded metal trucks. Another steam goods train is seen in a cutting, followed quickly by a high angle view of a steam passenger train coming over a bridge into a railway cutting. The engine is likely to be no. 45562 'Alberta' that is seen steaming off into the distance. Next a track side view taken in a station next to a signal box, as steam engine no. 45593 a Jubilee class Stanier 4-6-0 named 'Kolhapur', pulls a passenger train. The film cuts to open country again and a steam train pushing a goods train along a railway embankment. Along another embankment a green steam engine pulls a passenger train. A track side view shows Flying Scotsman pulling into a station and then slowly making its way past other engines.  A brief view follows of Flying Scotsman in another station before the film cuts again to another engine, number 3442, a Gresley K4, 2-6-0, named The Great Marquess pulling a passenger train, probably an enthusiasts excursion as at the time of filming this is a preserved engine. The film ends with enthusiasts gathering on station platforms as the Great Marquess passes the stationary Flying Scotsman.