Filmmaker and steam railway enthusiast Chris Lawson documents steam railway traffic in the North East in the mid Sixties. The film shows trains working in a local coal mine as well as views of the Flying Scotsman. The opening view shows large wagons painted a faded red. One has emblazoned on it 'NCB' [National Coal Board] and the word 'Lambton'.  Beyond the wagons a glimpse of a housing estate. A trackside view follows of an approaching saddle tank steam engine. It goes...

Filmmaker and steam railway enthusiast Chris Lawson documents steam railway traffic in the North East in the mid Sixties. The film shows trains working in a local coal mine as well as views of the Flying Scotsman. The opening view shows large wagons painted a faded red. One has emblazoned on it 'NCB' [National Coal Board] and the word 'Lambton'.  Beyond the wagons a glimpse of a housing estate. A trackside view follows of an approaching saddle tank steam engine. It goes past large cylinders mounted on a steel frame next to the track. The engine is no.63 a Stephenson & Hawthorn 0-6-0ST, above the smoke box is mounted its name 'The Philadelphian'. Initially the engine is pulling a brake van and is stationary in the next view. Some children get down from the drivers cab, as do other enthusiasts who act as though they have been caught doing something they shouldn't! The endless number of bodies leaving the driver's cab suggest an elaborate stunt. The camera pulls back to give a long shot of the stationary engine.  It stands next to a gantry on which coal wagons are parked. Another man leaves the cab and poses for the camera almost unaware of an approaching steam engine on the opposite track. The film cuts to an engine from National Coal Board North Durham Area, No.58 (Vulcan Foundry 5299, built 1945). [When steam finished at Philadelphia shed in 1969 this was one of three locos thought good enough for transfer to Derwenthaugh, who used them until they were eventually scraped them in October 1972.] No. 58 is pulling coal wagons as it goes off into the distance. Indistinct and over exposed footage follows. A trackside view shows the approaching and immaculately turned out 4472 'Flying Scotsman' as it speeds past with a passenger train. The film then cuts to a long view as the 'Scotsman steams across open country along an embankment. The camera pans left revealing a road not too far away from the track where a number of cars are parked. A bridge in the distance shows where the line crosses the road.  Enthusiasts have parked their cars near a level crossing waiting for the Flying Scotsman to cross. Another view follows of the train negotiating a curve near a housing estate. Another trackside view shows the Flying Scotsman approaching at speed, then disappearing rapidly out of view. The film ends with indistinct footage taken from within a car (?) Various shots follow of the back of a seat etc. with the camera left filming accidentally (?)