This film is a compilation of amateur footage taken by railway enthusiast and filmmaker Chris Lawson showing mainly steam engines operating on the British Rail network especially in the North East. The film opens with a slow diesel shunting engine manoeuvering a small train of goods wagons. This is followed by a distance view taken across a busy road, partially obscured by trees as the same engine pulls a goods train slowly over a concrete bridge, then moves along an embankment across...

This film is a compilation of amateur footage taken by railway enthusiast and filmmaker Chris Lawson showing mainly steam engines operating on the British Rail network especially in the North East. The film opens with a slow diesel shunting engine manoeuvering a small train of goods wagons. This is followed by a distance view taken across a busy road, partially obscured by trees as the same engine pulls a goods train slowly over a concrete bridge, then moves along an embankment across countryside. A winter scene follows with snow covering tracks as a steam engine producing huge plumes of steam,  pulls a train of snow covered wagons. The film cuts to the same train(?) running along an embankment. A long distance view follows as another steam train approaches the camera, heavy grey skies dominating the scene and contrasting with the white snow. The film cuts to a deep railway cutting through rock as a steam train approaches. The engine is number 48327 an 8F-A Stanier 2-8-0. A longer distance view follows as a locomotive is about to pass a signal box as it travels towards the camera. The film cuts to the same engine heading away from the camera. A long view follows of another steam train as it makes its way along an embankment pulling coal(?) wagons. Another view follows into the deep railway cutting as a steam engine hauls a long good train. The film then shows what appears to be a vent pipe for a railway tunnel in moorland terrain. A distance view follows over snow covered hills as a steam train makes its way across the landscape, the following view is similar. Next, a double header or two steam trains reverses its way along a railway cutting. One of the engines pulls 48117 an 8F-A Stanier 2-8-0. Cut to a train of coal trucks as it makes its way past a signal box. A change in weather and a distant view of a marshalling yard as a train of coal wagons is hauled past a signal box, by a reversing engine. A brief distant view of another engine with a train of trucks. A station platform follows as a lone steam engine goes beneath a road bridge then into a tunnel. From the same vantage point a steam engine approaches the opposite platform, again without a train.  A trackside view follows as an engine pulling a brake van(?) moves away from the camera. A high angle view follows in misty conditions as a steam train crosses a viaduct onto an embankment , pulling wagons.  The film cuts to a marshalling yard as a steam engine is turned on a engine turntable (blurred image). Cut to a trackside view as a steam train makes its way towards the camera in a railway cutting. Another similar shot follows, from a low angle at the trackside followed by another general view of a steam train . Snow on the ground again, as a shunting engine reverses pulling some wooden trucks. A number of keen photographers in amongst tracks with lots of heavy industry around seem to risk life and limb getting good shots of working engines. A shunting engine pushes coal trucks along a track. A low angle view follows of the same engine travelling along the top of a steep embankment.  The film cuts to a view of a boat on a river, possibly the riverTyne,  then cuts to a long distance shot of a steam passenger train travelling at high speed across country on an embankment. A high angle view follows of the same steam train travelling over a viaduct.  The film cuts to a steam train making progress along a deep snow covered cutting, pulling wagons loaded with a light coloured material. The film cuts to a wide cutting which has three or four rail tracks,as a steam engine with a short train of goods wagons speeds past. A trackside shot ends the film as in a deep cutting a lone steam engine goes past.