This film records one of the first British main line steam locomotives to be purchased privately (by the late Captain Bill Smith) directly from British Railways in the late 1950s. The engine was ex-Great Northern Railway 0-6-0 saddle tank (GNR No.1247) originally built in 1899. The engine is seen steaming along 'somewhere in Hertfordshire.' The engine is shown in close up to show its builder's plate, which is inscribed Sharp Stewart & Co., Glasgow, 4492 - 1899, followed...

This film records one of the first British main line steam locomotives to be purchased privately (by the late Captain Bill Smith) directly from British Railways in the late 1950s. The engine was ex-Great Northern Railway 0-6-0 saddle tank (GNR No.1247) originally built in 1899. The engine is seen steaming along 'somewhere in Hertfordshire.' The engine is shown in close up to show its builder's plate, which is inscribed Sharp Stewart & Co., Glasgow, 4492 - 1899, followed by details of the injector, cabside, and front buffer beam. The driver (not in regulation costume) descends from the cab and oils round the engine in time honoured fashion. The engine reverses, slipping in the process. The fireman opens the level crossing gate. In the background on the East Coast Main Line, a brand new English Electric Co. 'Baby Deltic' passes with a train formed of BR Mk1 and ex-LNER stock in crimson livery. 1247 reverses, and beyond, an English Electric Type 4 (later Class 40) passes with an express on the main line. Another diesel, D5070, stands in Hatfield Station. From a footbridge ex-LNER Class A3 4-6-2 No.60047 Donovan can be seen passing beneath. This is followed by an unidentified Class V2 2-6-2 with a train of wooden bodied Gresley ex-LNER stock. 1247 shunts next to some cement wagons, backs into station, and then moves with a train formed of eight goods brake vans. On the platform stand many waiting railway enthusiasts. The fireman places an oil lamp on the topmost bracket in front of the chimney while the driver accepts the token for single line working. The level crossing gate is opened in order for the train to proceed to Cuffley, and its rear is seen next to an overgrown platform. The train is next seen approaching St Albans Abbey station and as it enters a railwayman takes the token from the driver. There is a close up of the station nameboard with three children. 1247 reverses light engine, runs round the train, couples up, and sets off on the return journey. END Historical Note: This film records a typical specially chartered train for railway enthusiasts during the late 1950s/early 1960s over a little used stretch of rural railway line threatened with closure. A feature of some such trains was the use of goods brake vans to convey the clientele, themselves now long gone. Oddly enough one of the most interesting features of the film, now seen from an historical perspective, is the incidental glimpse of the brand new 'Baby Deltic' and train. The ten locomotives in question enjoyed a distinctly chequered history and lasted only approximately ten years.