Peter Handford & Transacord records

Peter Handford has greatly enriched the archive of material relating to the steam age through his brilliant recordings which were initially made with heavy equipment that was difficult to transport to suitable locations. One of his specialities was that recordings frequently included local colour: the sound of semaphore signals changing position, sheep, bird song, bells and railwaymen exchanging information. The marvelous diction of the lady station announcer at York is caught wonderfully. He was born on 21 March 1919 and died in November 2007..

Handford joined the Denham Film Studios as a trainee sound recordist in 1936, had an interesting War, followed by working for the prestigious Crown Film Unit before joining MGM at Borehamwood. In the 1950s he started to record the sound of steam locomotives and began marketing his output on a small scale in November 1955 by placing small advertisements in Railway Magazine and Trains Illustrated.

A great affection was developed for the V2 class: "they were a recordist's dream and for shear variety of sound had no equal". Like photographers, he was frequently unlucky: bad weather, the class of locomotive was not used that day, and equipment failure (which was far more prevalent than that of cameras). He only just managed to capture the sound of the Midland 0-10-0 working on the Lickey Incline.

His own book: Sounds of railways and their recording. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1980 covers his career excellently and the discography which follows was taken from it. Since then much of the material has appeared in CD format. KPJ's father was generously plied with Transacord records for his assistance in providing lineside permits: naturally these gravitated into his collection. His youngest grandson greatly enjoys falling to sleep whilst listening to a CD compilation which begins at Durham, travels via "This is York", and if we are lucky is asleep before Peterborough, but hopefully not before we hear a V2 syncopating its way to Stoke Summit.

Appreciations of Peter Handford and his work by Mel Holley, who notes that he received an Oscar for the Best Sound in Out of Africa in 1985; and from Nigel Harris in Steam World, 2008 (248). Some of this page has been enhanced with the aid of this material. Nigel Harris's favourite recording is of a V2 climbing past Steele Road on the long ascent through the Cheviots. Nigel Harris had the enormous good fortune to know Peter Handford well. Mel notes that there is a Handford Archive at the NRM..

Discography

Serial numbers were allocated to several records which, for various reasons, were either not completed or were never issued, therefore there are some breaks in the sequence of the 10 inch Transacord records.

The Argo Transacord record catalogue numbers were shared with other Argo records and consequently catalogue numbers of records produced by Transacord for Argo did not necessarily follow in sequence.

Records issued independently by Transacord Umited, between November 1955 and November 1961 and sold only by direct mail order. All deleted by December 1961.

10 inch 78rpm records
E/426-7 FREIGHT TRAINS
E/428-9 BIRMINGHAM-LEAMINGTON
E/440-1 THE CLASS A3 PACIFIC LOCOMOTIVE
E/442-3 FROM LONDON (EUSTON)
E/444-5 VENICE-MESTRE
E/451-2 THE LlCKEY INCLINE-FREIGHT TRAINS
E/453-4 THE LlCKEY INCLINE-PASSENGER TRAINS
E/455-6 THE KING CLASS LOCOMOTIVE

10 inch 33irpm LP records
5021-2 THE BULLEID PACIFIC LOCOMOTIVE
5023-4 THE CLASS A4 PACIFIC LOCOMOTIVE
5025-6 THE DUKEDOGS ,
5030-1 VICTORIA-CHATHAM
5032-3 THE LlCKEY INCLINE
5034-5 THE WATLINGTON BRANCH
5036-7 THE LNW 0-8-0
5038-9 SOUNDS OF SHUNTING
5040-1 GREAT CENTRAL
5042-3 CASTLES
5044-5 KINGS
5046-7 A3 PACIFICS
5048-9 ON THE FOOTPLATE
5050-1 THE MIDLAND COMPOUND
5052-3 TRAMWAY SOUNDS

7 inch 33 rpm records
c/1000-1 EDWARD'S DAY OUT and EDWARD AND GORDON.
Railway stories, narrated by the author, the Reverend Awdry, with sound effects. Produced for and issuedii'by Chiltern Records Ltd.

1002-3 LlCKEY 1955
1004-5 BULLEID PACIFICS

12 inch 33 rpm LP records. Originally issued independently by Transacordj re-cut, re-pressed and re-issued by Argo, with new and improved sleeves, in November 1961,
6000-1 THE WEST HIGHLAND LINE
6002-3 SHAP
6004-5 SOMERSET AND DORSET

Transacord 7 inch extended play 45rpm records issued by Argo. Argo catalogue numbers and titles.
Many of these recordings were electronically reprocessed ,and re-issued on LP records in the Argo SPA 'World of Railways' series.)
EAF 33 GRESLEY PACIFICS
EAF 34 N7 ON THE JAZZ
EAF 35 SOUTH EASTERN STEAM
EAF 36 NARROW GAUGE ON THE COSTA BRAVA
EAF 37 DUKEDOGS AND THE CITY
EAF 38 STEAM TRACTION ENGINES
EAF 39 JEANIE DEANS AND OXFORD (Clyde and Thames Steamers)
EAF 43 SOUTH WESTERN STEAM
EAF 59 ON THE ABERDEEN FLYER
EAF 70 HUNTS, SHIRES AND SANDRINGHAMS
EAF 71 G5s ON THE PUSH AND PULL
EAF 72 THE 11.15 FOR TORPANTAU
EAF 73 WITH THE MAIL TO AVIEMORE
EAF 74 CALEDONIAN ENGINES
EAF 75 ON THE FOOTPLATE OF A KING
EAF 76 THE SOUTHERN SCHOOLS
EAF 77 PACIFIC POWER
EAF 78 THE GLENFIELD GOODS
EAF 79 THE SNOWDON MOUNTAIN RAILWAY
EAF 80 GREAT NORTHERN ENGINES
EAF 81 GRANGES AND MANORS
EAF 82 THE ATLANTICS AND THE TERRIER
EAF 83 NORTH EASTERN ENGINES
EAF 84 CASTLES IN THE CHILTERNS
EAF 86 GRANTHAM — 1957
EAF 88 STANIER PACIFICS
EAF 87 BULLEID PACIFICS
EAF 97 TRAINS ON THE NARROW GAUGE
EAF 98 D FOR DIESELS
EAF 99 LNW ENGINES
EAF 116 GREAT CENTRAL ENGINES
EAF 100 TWO CASTLES FROM PLYMOUTH
EAF 117 TRAINS IN TROUBLE
EAF 118 ENGINES ON THE CONTINENT
EAF 119 THE SOUNDS OF SHUNTING
EAF 121 TRAMWAY SOUNDS
EAF 124 THE 02 TANKS
EAF 125 CHANGE AT TEMPLECOMBE
EAF 126 THE HIGHLANDERS
EAF 127 MIDLAND ENGINES
EAF 128 PANNIERS AND PRAIRIES
EAF 129 ROYAL SCOTS AND JUBILEES
EAF 130 THIS IS YORK
EAF 131 TRAINS FROM TYNE DOCK
EAF 132 THE BRITANNIAS AND THE CLANS
EAF 135 SOUTHERN ENGINES
EAF 136 DOUBLE HEADED
EAF 137 KINGS IN THE CHILTERNS
EAF 138 ON A BANKER FROM BEATTOCK
EAF 139 MIXED TRAIN TO ROSPORDEN
EAF 140 INDUSTRIAL ENGINES
EAF 141 THE WDs
EAF 144 EXHIBITIONIST ENGINES
EAF 145 LNER PACIFICS
EAF 146 THE SOUNDS OF BRESSINGHAM
EAF 148 NORTH BRITISH ENGINES
EAF 149 STEAM IN THE WORTH VALLEY
EAF 150 THE HALLS
EAF 151 WORTH VALLEY ENGINES
EAF 152 CLUN CASTLE AND KOLHAPUR

Argo Transacord recordings
Sounds of the Steam Age

TR 101 THE WEST HIGHLAND LINE
Steam locomotives ofthe former NBR. LNER and LMS, at work at various locations on the West Highland line, during winter and spring, in the 1950s.

TR 102 SHAP
Ex LMS and other steam locomotives, heard from the lineside, at various locations between Tebay and Shap Summit, between 1958 and 1960.

TR 103 THE SOMERSET AND DORSET
Steam locomotives of various types, at work on the S&D line, at different locations between Evercreech Junction and Masbury in 1956 and a journey on the double headed Pines Express, between Bath and Evercreech Junction.

TR 104 WEST OF EXETER
Ex GWR steam locomotives, of various classes, heard from the lineside at Dainton and Exeter and from inside the signal boxes at Tigley and Exeter, in 1957 and 1958.

ZTR 105 TRAINS IN THE NIGHT
Steam hauled trains in the night, in winter and summer, in 1959, 1961 and 1962, at Bromsgrove, on the GW& GC line, on the Central Wales line and on the Carlisle-Edinburgh line.

ZTR 106 NEWFOUNDLAND HEADS THE WAVERLEY
A journey on the Waverley Express, hauled by Jubilee 4-6-0 Newfoundland, between Hellifield and Blea Moor and lineside recordings at Dent and Ribblehead, in 1960.

TR 107 THE GREAT EASTERN
Steam locomotives of various ex Great Eastern classes, at work on Great Eastern lines in the 1950s.

ZTR 108 THE TRIUMPH OF AN A4 PACIFIC
A journey on the SLS special train, headed by Sir Nigel Gresley driven by Bill Hoole, on the record breaking run between Kings Cross and Doncaster and Kings Cross, in May 1959. Further information from sleeve note

ZTR 109 TRAINS IN THE HILLS
Steam locomotives of the London Midland and Western regions, heard from the lineside at Shap, Blea Moor, Abergavenny and on the Lickey Incline.

ZTR 113 RHYTHMS OF STEAM
Steam locomotives, of various types, heard from the lineside, at Tyndrum, Tyne Dock, Hitchin, Templecombe, Montrose, and Barkston Junction. A journey on a special train, hauled by the Midland Compound 4-4-0, No 1000.

TR 114 WORKING ON THE FOOTPLATE
Journeys on th.e footplate of four steam locomotives. An A4 Pacific with Aberdeen-Glasgow express, a V2 2-6-2 with an Edinburgh-Dundee freight train, a Class 5 4-6-0 with a Swansea-Shrewsbury passenger train and an 8F 2-8-0 with a Shrewsbury-Swansea freight train. Complete sleeve note.

ZTR,115 THE POWER OF STEAM
Steam locomotiyes of various types, heard from the lineside at Ardlui, Scout Green, Basingstoke, Minnavey Colliery, Bargany, on the Lickey Incline and on the Carlisle-Edinburgh line.

TR 117 THE GREAT WESTERN
Various classes of ex Great Western steam locomotives, heard from the lineside at Hatton, Abergavenny, Chalford, Princes Risborough and Evershot.

ZTR 118 TRAINS TO REMEMBER
Steam hauled trains remembered. During a night at Grantham Station, on the Scarborough-Whitby-Pickering line, on the Central Wales line, on the Lickey Incline, on the Stranraer-Ayr line and at Talerddig Station.

AT Talerddlg, on the Aberystwyth-Shrewsbury line.
Chickens peck contentedly around the yard of the tiny station, drowsing in the sunshine of a May morning in 1964, while, in the signal box, the signalman takes his morning tea with the permanent way lengthman. The up Cambrian Coast Express is rung through from the direction of Machynlleth and the signalman sets the points and signals for the express, then walks down the signal box steps, carrying the single line token; he strolls past the station cottages, inside which the radio drones w.ith the drama ofthe morning serial, places the token in the lines ide holder and walks back to the signal box. The express, headed by a 'Manor' class 4-6-0, is faintly heard in the distance, slogging up the valley on the 1 in 52, 1 in 56 climb from Llanbrynmair; whistling from the deep rock cutting, No. 7803 Barcote Manor, brings the Cambrian Coast Express out into the open and on through the station, where the fireman drops off the token for the previous section and deftly picks up the new one; the signalman., having collected the dropped token, walks back to the signal box, to ring 'train out of section', as the express accelerates into the distance on the falling gradients towarqs Carno.

Band Two
Night on the East Coast main line, at the north end of Grantham Station, on a drizzly Friday night in August 1961.
Just before midnight, a  V2 class 2-6-2 No. 60867 slips away from the station with a northbound goods train; another V2 passes by, running light towards the sheds, as No. 60867, giving a somewhat strangled whistle, passes behind the North Signal Box to head down the gradient towards Peascliffe Tunnel and Barkston Junction. After clearing Barr Road Junction, just to the north of Grantham Station, an L1 class 2-6-4 tank engine .opens up, briefly, then clanks past towards the station with the 12.2 a.m, train from Nottingham. A signal arm clatters 'on' and an A4 class 'Pacific' whistles beside the North Box, moves away on the down line and whistles again, distantly; meanwhile, another light engine has moved out from the sh.eds and with cylinder cocks open, moves on, past the North Box: in the opposite direction another engine clanks slowly past, whistling before moving on towards the sheds.At the down platform A4 Pacific No. 60014 Silver Link has taken over the 12.37 a.m. Kings Cross-Edinburgh-Dundee sleeping car train; slipping occasionally on the greasy, drizzle dampened rails, Silver Link takes the heavy train out of the station, passing behind the North Box and on towards Peascliffe Tunnel while, in the background darkness, another A4 stands simmering gently. Buffers clang as a van is shunted nearby and an L1 runs past on shunting duties; in the background an O2 class 2.8-0 shuffles past with an up train of iron ore wagons, while the L1 shunts back and a B1 class 4-6-0 No. 61202 runs past, light, on the down line. A V2 swings round the curve from Peascliffe, heading an up fitted freight on the 1 in 330 rising gradient: whistling briefly through the station, the V2 heads for Stoke Tunnel and the south. A shunter blows his whistle and an A4 whistles distantly, then, from the station, comes the powerful bark ofa single chimnied 9F class 2-10-0, starting a heavy goods train on its journey north. It is now after 2.0 a.m., some engines have finished their shifts while others are just beginning: an L1 runs past light in the background and whistles; a B1 clatters past on the down line and another engine moves back towards the sheds. A relief express for Newcastle waits at the down platform: the signal clears and the V2 which heads the train, whistles, slips madly and heads north into the drizzling darkness beyond the North Box, not apparently inconvenienced by an appalling knock from the connecting rods.

SIDE TWO

Band One
Morning at Llangunllo Station, on the Central Wales line,
This little station lies hidden in a fold of the hills, almost 1,000 ft. above sea level and about a quarter of a mile. from the summit of this section at Llangunllo Tunnel, which takes the line on, down the valley, towards Knucklas and Knighton. Standard 'Class 5' 4-6-0 No. 73049, heading the Swansea (Victoria)-Shrewsbury passenger train, drifts round the curve towards Llangunllo where, on the station platform, the signalman stands, holding the.single line token; as the fireman catches the token, the engine quickly comes to life, barking up the 1 in 100 gradient between the hills and whistling, in the cutting, before. diving into the tunnel. 8F class 2-8-0 No.. 48761, at the head of an early morning goods train, starts slowly out of the loop at Llangunllo Station; the hills reverberate with the deep throated exhaust beats and the rumble of trucks, as the engine takes the heavy train up the 1 in 100 grad ient into the tunnel. The recording of No. 73049 was made in June 1961 and that of No. 48761 in April 1964.

Band Two
A July afternoon in 1959, about half a mile from Blackwell Station, on the 1 in 37¾ lickey Incline.
The Pines Express is climbing out of Bromsgrove, 1½ miles away, down the Incline; occasional traffic passes under the bridge on the nearby road as the express, double headed by Stanier 'Class 5' 4-6-0 No. 45280 as pilot to Standard Class 5 No. 73031, comes on up the 1 in 37¾ gradient; the banking engine, double chimnied 9F class 2-10-0 No. 92231, whistles a gentle acknowledgment to some boys who stand, waving, near the farm crossing; the sounds of the train soon die away after it enters the deep cutting, which leads up to Blackwell Station; at Blackwell the banking engine will drop back, leaving The Pines Express to continue its journey towards Birmingham and Manchester.

Band Three
The Whitby Moors special train, on the Scarborough-Whitby line on 6th March, 1965: the train organised by the Stephenson Locomotive Society and the Manchester Locomotive Society, was double headed by K4 class 2-6-0 No. 3442 The Great Marquess, restored to LNER condition by Lord Garnock, as pilot to K1 class 2-6-0 No. 62005. South of Ravenscar, a number of people have turned out to watch the train and encouraged by the fitful sunshine, a photographer, standing on the road bridge, asks his friends to 'wave to the train', now coming up the valley, against the wind, on the 2¼ mile, 1 in 41, climb from Stainton Dale. An aircraft flies high across the moors as the two engines, whistling their greetings to everybody at the lineside, bring the train under the road bridge where, after the train has passed, car doors slam as photographers move off to new vantage points; the exhaust beat of the 3 cylinder K4 contrasts with the heavier beat of the 2 cylinder K1 as the engines approach the end of the 1 in 41 climb, reaching the summit at Ravenscar Station, 631 ft. above sea level, just as a thick curtain of sleet and s.now sweeps in from the sea.

Band Four
The Whitby Moors special train, again double headed by The Great Marquess as pilot to No. 62005, on the Whitby-Pickering line, on the evening of 6th March, 1965. With the evening comes a hard frost to glaze the recently fallen snow, which covers the fields around Abbot's House, half a mile from Goathland Station: in the deepening dusk a pheasant rockets for cover as, in the distance, The Whitby Moors special climbs up the valley from Grosmont; soon, as the engines tackle the last part of the 2¾ mile, 1 in 49, climb towards Goathland, the sound of their whistles echoes over the moors. Heading the train through the station and under the road bridge, the two engines are on easier gradients of 1 in 136, 1 in 90 and are working less hard as they bring the train, rlimbling over the two bridges which cross the Brocks Beck, towards Abbot's House; passing behind it to enter a cutting which soon deadens all sounds of the train as, in the near darkness, it climbs out across Goathland Moor and on towards Fen Moor, Levisham and Pickering.

Band Five
The up Northern Irishman, double headed by Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No. 45490 and 'Britannia' class 'Pacific' No. 70041 Sir John Moore on the Stranraer-Ayr line, on an August night in 1965.
It is just after 11.0 p.m. at the closed station of Killochan, some 2½ miles from Girvan; the express has made its conditional stop at Girvan and almost immediately after the start, faces a continuous 2¾ mile climb, mostly at 1 in 72, to the summit about ½ mile beyond Killochan Station. Making light of the climb, the two engines slam up the 1 in 72 gradient towards Killochan, suddenly blasting under the road bridge, which has masked their approach and on through the deserted station; still climbing at 1 in 72 the train roars through the woods towards the summit, where the engines are eased for the run down to Bargany, conserving some of their strength for the switchback line ahead on the journey towards Ayr and Carlisle.

ZTR 121 ECHOES OF ENGINES
Steam locomotives at work during an evening, night and morning at Gresford. at Montrose, Okehampton and on the Carlisle-Edinburgh line. Inside the signal box at Meldon Junction.

At Gresford Station, after its closure, in May 1961: a 57XX class 0-6-0PT No. 3789, running light, approaches up the gradient from Rossett; a Standard Class 4 4-6-0 clanks past with the late evening passenger train from Shrewsbury; after midnight a goods train approaches up the gradient from Rossett, staggers past Gresford at little more than walking pace, 4-6-0 No. 6861 Crynant Grange with wheels slipping frequently on the damp, rails, drags the heavy train past, rumbling away over the road bridge and on round the curve into the darkness. By dawn No. 5091 Cleeve Abbey runs gently past, light, down the gradient towards Rossett; at 4.30 a.m., a goods train approaches in the distance, coming up the gradient from Rossett; headed by 8F 2-8-0 No. 48253 a train climbs steadily towards Gresford as, from the opposite direction, a 'Crab' 2-6-0 rattles past with a down goods train; the 2-6-0 whistles away into the distance, towards Rossett and Chester, as the 8F climbs steadily past towards Wrexham. No. 5091 Cleeve Abbey, now heads up the gradient from Rossett with the 7.10 a.m. express from Chester to Shrewsbury and Paddington.

To the west of Okehampton Station on a day in May 1961. A 43XX class 2-6-0 No. 7311 on train of empty ballast wagons starts gently, and moves slowly past on the 1 in 77 climb towards Meldon Quarry. An N class 2-6-0 approaches down the gradient from Meldon, heading an up goods train; clattering past, the train squeaks to a stop just outside Okehampton Station. Another N class No. 31835, approaches from the station and comes slowly past, propelling a van towards a siding; leaving the van in the siding it returns light, wheel flanges creaking and groaning over points and crossovers at the station. A rebuilt Battle of Britain class Pacific No. 34056 Croydon, leaves the station with the through train from Brighton; bringing the train past, and accelerates away up the gradient. N class 31839 comes down the gradient with a train from the North Cornwall line, slowing to a stop in Okehampton Station as a 'T.9.' class 4-4-0 No. 30313, starts from the station with a train for the North Cornwall line and vigorously attacked the 1 in 77 climb towards Meldon Junction.

Inside Meldon Junction Signal Box on a wild March morning in 1961. Signal box activity followed by passage (picking up staff and ticket) of T9 class 4-4-0 No. 30709 hauled train moving towards single track section towards Ashbury and Halwill Junction.

To the south of Montrose Station, on the single line section which climbs on a gradient of 1 in 88 to Usan Signal Box. On an April afternoon in 1959 a single chimney A3 class Pacific No. 60089 Felstead, pulls out of the station with a passenger train for Dundee; strongly attacking the gradient.

Same locomotive, but now fitted with a double chimney, brings a northbound goods train past Steele Road Station, roughly halfway between Newcastleton and Riccarton Junction, on the 8 mile, 1 in 75, climb from Newcastleton in May 1961. At same time a Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 78046 made a brief call with an inspection saloon; and whistles and moves off towards Newcastleton whilst Felstead, continues the long climb.

ZTR 123 COPPER CAPPED ENGINES
Various ex GWR steam locomotives at work at Talerddig, Basingstoke, Llanvihangel, Princes Risborough, Gresford and Evershot Tunnel.

TR 124 VIVE LA VAPEUR
SNCF steam locomotives of various types at Breaute, Beuzeville, Argentan, St Germain des Fosses and Eygurande. A steam hauled journey on a steeply graded line in Auvergne.

ZTR 125 THE KNOTTY
A musical documentary which, in words, songs and sounds, tells the story of early railway days, from the stage coach to the amalgamation. Adapted from Peter Cheeseman's production at the Victoria Theatre, Stoke on Trent.

ZTR 126 THE RAILWAY TO RICCARTON
Steam locomotives of various ex LNER types, at work on the steeply graded Carlisle-Edinburgh line, the Waverley route, between Newcastleton and Hawick, in the spring of 1961.

ZTR 128 Steam on the Lickey Incline
Steam locomotives of various types, working goods and passenger trains on the Lickey Incline, between Bromsgrove and Blackwell, in 1959. Tracks:
A1 At Bromsgrove: a passenger train leaving the South Yard, headed by a 'Black Five' 4-6-0 and banked by an 0-6-0PT. The double headed Devonian express leaving the South Yard, banked by three 0-6-0PTs
A2 On The Incline Near Blackwell: A 'Jubilee' 4-6-0 With A Passenger Train, Banked By Two 0-6-0PT.s
A3 On The Incline Near Blackwell: A '4.F.' Class 0-6-0 With A Goods Train, Banked By An 0-6-0PT
B1 A Passenger Train Leaving The South Yard, Headed By A Standard 'Class5' 4-6-0 And Banked By An 0-6-0PT
B2 On The Incline Near Blackwell: A Passenger Train Headed By A Standard 'Class 5' 4-6-0 And Banked By An 0-6-0PT
B3 On The Incline Near Blackwell: A Goods Train Climbing From Bromsgrove, Headed By A 'Crab' 2-6-0 And Banked By An 0-6-0PT.; A 2P Class 4-4-0 Heading A Passenger Train Down The Gradient As A '9.F.' Class 2-10-0 Heads Another Goods Train Up The Gradient, Banked By An 0-6-0 PT

ZTR 129 ENGINES ON THE BUNDESBAHN
Steam locomotives of various types, working goods and passenger trains at many different locations on the DB, in West Germany in 1970.

TR 130 ORIENT EXPRESS
A steam hauled journey on the Orient Express through the Balkans to Istanbul. Steam locomotives of Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey heard from the train and from the lineside, en route.

ZTR 131 TRAINS IN THE FIFTIES
Steam locomotives at work on BR, in the closing years of the 1950s. At Hitchin, Durham, Abergavenny, Beattock, Basingstoke and Llangunllo.

TR 134 NORTH OF KINGS CROSS
A variety of ex LNER steam locomotives, at work in the 1950s and in 1961. At Kings Cross, Hitchin, Peterborough, Stoke Tunnel. Retford, Edinburgh and Whitrope.

ZTR 138 ENGINES IN GERMANY
East German and West German Pacific locomotives and various other steam locoplotive types, at work on the DB in West Germany. A companion record to ZTR 129 Engines on the Bundesbahn.

DA139 The Ballad of John Axon, 1965

TR 140 ENGINES FROM DERBY AND CREWE
Steam locomotives of a variety of ex LMS types, at work at many different locations on British Railways, during the years between 1955 and 1965.

ZTR 143 RAILWAYS ROUND THE CLOCK
Steam locomotives at work on British Railways, by day and night. at Gresford, Templecombe, Ribblehead, Barkston Junction and Scout Green. A footplate journey, on a Britannia Pacific, on the Ayr-Stranraer line.

ZTR 148 STEAM IN ALL DIRECTIONS
Steam locomotives of many different types, at work on railways in England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Italy, Romania and Yugoslavia.

ZTR 149 STEAM THROUGH ALL SEASONS
Steam locomotives at work in the spring, summer, autumn and winter. On British Railways at Barkston Junction, Llanvihangel, Princes Risborough, Bromsgrove, Knucklas and on the climb to Whitrope Summit. One of the famous Maffei Pacifics in Romania, a 2-8-0 in the Dolomites and a 2-10-0 in Germany.

ZFA 77 PACIFIC POWER
LNER, LMS, SR and BR Pacifics at work on British Railways.

ZFA 153 Talyllyn trains
Five steam locomotives at work on the narrow gauge Talyllyn Railway in Wales during May 1972. Tracks:
A1: Engines No. 6 and No. 4 at Abergynolwyn
A2 No. 1 at Brynglas
A3 No. 2 leaving Rhydyronen
Nos. 6 and 4 at Hendy Halt
B1 No. 3 at Dolgoch
Nos. 1 and 2 at Brynglas
No. 3 at Towyn

ZFA 154 Sounds of the Festiniog
Four of the FR steam locomotives at work on the narrow gauge Festiniog Railway, in Wales, with passenger and goods trains in August 1973.

The 'World of Railways' records
SPA 103 THE WORLD OF STEAM
Steam locomotives at work on railways in Britain, at Templecombe, on the Paddington-Birmingham line, at Bromsgrove, on the Waverley route and at Shap Summit. On railways abroad, in Spain, Germany and Turkey.

SPA 211 THE WORLD OF STEAM VOL 2
Steam locomotives at work on railways in Britain, at Basingstoke, near Montrose and at Blea Moor. On railways abroad, in Romania, Yugoslavia, France and Germany.

SPA 337 THE WORLD OF STEAM VOL 3
Steam Traction Engines and a Fairground Roundabout Organ, of the Victorian era. On board a Paddle Steamer in Switzerland. Steam locomotives on railways in Italy, Germany and England.

SPA 438 CHANGING TRAINS
Steam and Diesel locomotives, of various types, at work at different locations on BR between 1957 and 1966. A journey in the cab ofthe High Speed Train, during a 125mph test run, in February 1975.

SPA 439 STEAM LOCOMOTION - Rail 150
The Locomotion replica and a variety of other steam locomotives, the majority of which either took part in the Rail 150 Anniversary Cavalcade, or are representative of types exhibited at Shildon, during the 150th Anniversary celebrations.

SPA 440 GWR
Steam locomotives of various ex GWR classes, at work on BR between 1955 and 1963 at Abergavenny, Dainton, Tigley, Ruabon, Saunderton,Crumlin, Aberystwyth, Talerddig, Princes Risborough and Hatton and on a journey between Totnes and Plymouth.

SPA 461 GREAT CENTRAL
Steam locomotives of the former GCR and LNER lines at work on former Great Central and other lines on British Railways, during the 1950s.

SPA 462 SOUTHERN STEAM
Steam locomotives of many ex Southern Railway classes at work at various locations on BR with goods and passeng~r trains, in the 1950s.

SPA 463 LMS
Steam locomotives of the former LMS at work on BR at Euston Station in 1955. At Blea Moor, Ribblehead, Marsden and Bromsgrove. On the climb to Shap Summit. On the Abergavenny~Merthyr line and between Perth and Gleneagles.

SPA 499 VAPEUR EN FRANCE
Steam locomotives of various classes, at work on the SNCF and other lines, in Northern, Central and Southern France, between 1959 and 1975.

SPA 506 LNER
Steam locomotives of the London & North Eastern Railway, at work on British Railways between 1956 and 1961 at Grantham, Peterborough, Whitrope Summit and Hitchin.

SPA 529 THIS IS YORK
The sounds of a great station: York during the steam age, in 1957 and with diesel traction, including Inter City 125 in 1977, the centenary year of the present station.

SPA 530 A DOUBLE HEAD OF STEAM
Steam locomotives, whh passenger and goods trains, mostly double headed, at many different locations on British Railways, between 1956 and 1966. The GNR Atlantic Henry Oakley with double headed trains on the KWVR in 1977.

SPA 557 CASTLES AND KINGS
GWR Castle class and King class 4-6-0 locomotives at work on British Railways between 1956 and 1967 at Hatton, Bristol Temple Meads, Dainton Tunnel, Coton Hill, Sapperton, in the Chiltern Hills, at Exeter St Davids, and on the footplate of King Edward VIII.

SPA 563 PACIFIC POWER
LNER, LMS, SR and BR Pacifics at work on BR between 1956 and 1976; including most of the recordings previously issued on the EP ZFA 77, with other recordings not previously issued. SNCF, DB, and DR Pacifics at work in France and in Germany.

SPA 564 TRAINS IN TROUBLE
Steam locomotives in various kinds of difficulties, with passenger and goods trains, on British Railways and in Austria and Yugoslavia.

SPA 572 MIDLAND AND NORTH WESTERN
Steam locomotives of the Midland, London & North Western and LMS railways at work at various locations on 'BR between 1955 and 1975.

TR = 12 inch LP Mono recording
ZTR = 12 inch LP Stereo recording
ZFA = 7 inch EP Stereo recording
SPA = 12 inch LP Stereo or electronically re-processed stereo recordings

DA 21 sleeve notes
The Triumph of an A.4 Pacific
Recordings made from a special Stephenson Locomotive Society train on 23 May 1959 when 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley driven by Bill Hoole achieved a speed of 112 mile/h in the neighbourhood of Little Bytham. The sleeve note was largely written by C.J. Allen. The user was advised to be play the record at a high volume level.

EAF86 sleeve notes
Recordings of class A.3, A.4, V.2 and other ex L.N.E.R. locomotives at Grantham Station in July and August 1957 .

At Grantham, 105 miles North of London on the East coast main line, a large proportion of North and Southbound expresses stopped for a change of engines.

These recordings were made at the South end of Grantham Station. The engines heard are all as fitted with single chimney, with the exception of Class 'A.2' No. 60508 and Class 'A.4' No. 60022.

SIDE ONE
Class 'A.4' Pacific No. 60025 Falcon stands at the up platform heading an express from Newcastle, which it has just taken over; Falcon whistles and starts away, rapidly gathering speed on the 1/200 climb towards Stoke Summ,it, five miles away. In the background another 'A.4' whistles while moving away from the sheds on the down side of the station.

A 'C.12' class 4-4-2:T. No. 67391 clatters down the yard with a few trucks as 'V.2' class 2-6-2 No. 60963 waits at the platform; in drizzling rain, with the up 'Scarborough Flyer'.

No. 60963 starts out, slipping madly on the wet greasy rails by the water column at the platform end;

after more bouts of violent slipping No. 60963 settles down and gets to grips .with the wet rails. As the train passes 'V.2' No. 60893 moves into the up siding to wait until required to take over a train and another'V.2' No. 60961 comes past, running light back to the sheds.

Class 'A.4' Pacific No. 60010 Dominion of Canada whistles and slips away from the platform end, then, with the continuing tendency to slip being most expertly controlled, heads lustily up the gradient with an express for Kings Cross.

'V.2' class No. 60914 backs down towards the station to take over a waiting train as an 'A.4' Pacific, which has just been relieved by the 'V.2', clanks past on the way back to the sheds.

SIDE TWO
As a fickle wind whips across the tracks on a grey, damp, summer Saturday morning, 'V.2' No. 60914 whistles, hisses steam and slips violently before moving a heavy train out of the station. After further slipping No. 60914 settles down to tackle the climb towards Stoke Summit as 'A.4' No. 60022 Mallard sounds a warning whistle and trailing a plume of steam from the safety valves, tears down the gradient, heading North with a morning express for Edinburgh.

Another 'A.4' No. 60021 Wild Swan gets quickly away from the station, after a slippery start and heads for Kings Cross with an express from Leeds.

Class 'A.3' Pacific No. 60054 Prince of Wales backs down towards the up platform, where a relief express from Edinburgh is waiting and a 'V.2' moves into the up siding; as the 'V.2' gradually squeals to a stop class 'A.2' Pacific No. 60508 Duke of Rothesay starts away from signals and heads slowly past, towards the station, with a down express.

The 'A.3' Prince of Wales gets the 'right away' from the up platform and heads the Edinburgh-London express out of the station for the last lap of the journey South.

The cover photograph by Colin Walker shows a 'V.2' leaving Grantham with an express for London.

EAF 127 Midland engines
Side 1: near summit of Lickey Incline freight train hauled by Class 5 No. 44747 and banked by 0-10-0 No. 58100 in December 1955; Scout Green Class 2P No. 40657 pilot to Jubilee No. 45634 Trinidad on climb to Shap in May 1958; 2P 4-4-0 No. 40601 on Poole to Bristol train climbing 1 in 75 between Creek Moor Halt and Broadstone in September 1957; LMS 4P compound No. 41100 on Midland main line with evening train for Bedford in August 1956; 3F 0-6-0 No. 43440 on northbound freight near Sundon in August 1956: Side 2: 2F Class 0-6-0 No. 58143 on Glenfield goods in May 1962; 4F 0-6-0 No. 44552 on Birmingham to Yarmouth Beach buffet car train on climb from Wymondham Junction towards Edmondthorpe and Bourne in February 1959; at Saxby 4F 0-6-0 No. 44518 shunts a goods train while Beyer-Garratt 2-6-6-2 No. 47982 heads empties down gradient toards Melton Mowbray in February 1957; Beyer-Garratt 2-6-6-2 No. 47973 running light near Clay Cross in March 1957; 4P compound No. 41063 leaving Shipley station with train for Bradford Forster Square in April 1956.

Working on the footplate (DA 31)
THE sounds heard in the closely confined cab of a locomotive are quite different to those heard on the train. The sound of the engine's exhaust is, in general, much less sharp than it is when heard from the train, tending at times to be felt rather than heard and the whistle, being mounted just in front of the cab, except in the case of the 'A4 Pacifics', drowns nearly all other sounds when it is used.

Among sounds unfamiliar to passengers are the sharp hiss as the vacuum brake is applied and the more gentle and prolonged sighing hiss of the injectors, feeding water to the boiler.

Perhaps the most characteristic of all footplate sounds are those of the fireman at work; the clink and scrape of the shovel and the clanging of the firebox door, the rattle of coal being brought forward from the tender and the sound of the coal hammer, used to break up the larger lumps.

Apart from the general hiss of steam from various points, there is also a great deal of vibration which, at times, creates various metallic sounds. The general level of sound on the footplate of a moving locomotive is very high and at times quite deafening, consequently this record should be played at a reasonably high volume level in order to create the correct impression.

SIDE ONE Band One

'5 M-T' class 4-6-0 No. 45283 with a Swansea-Shrewsbury passenger train on the Central Wales line which, from Llandovery, climbs for some four miles on gradients of between 1/80 and 1/200 to Cynghordy; then, on an unbroken gradient of 1/60 for a further four miles to Sugar Loaf Summit, 820 ft above sea level. The line is single throughout. No. 45283 stands in Llandovery Station with the train of three coaches and a van; it is raining hard, but this does not dampen the spirit of the fireman who, finishing his song, comments on the 'bits and pieces' of coal which he has just uncovered on the tender.

The driver sounds the whistle and gently eases the engine forward to the signal box, where the fireman calls out 'good morning' as he collects the single line token from the signalman.

No. 45283 slips a little on the wet rails, but soon settles down and the beat of the exhaust quickens as the engine accelerates on the rising gradients, curving up the valley away from Llandovery.

Soon the driver sounds the whistle, as a warning to the signalman at Cynghordy: the train is not booked to stop at the little station, but must slow down so that the fireman can collect the single line token for the next section. Catching the token the fireman turns to the driver, saying 'right, away we go', the driver sounds the whistle, to show that all is well and No. 45283 accelerates again, over a high viaduct, then twisting through narrow, steep-sided, cuttings on the continuous 1/60 rising gradient.

The fireman is constantly busy as the train climbs on, skirting the desolately barren slopes of Bryn Nichol while approaching the entrance to Sugar Loaf Tunnel, tucked into the mountainside ahead. .

Whistling a warning, the engine plunges into the 1,000 yard long tunnel, inside which the driver gently applies the brake, finally bringing the train to a stop for adverse signals, just outside the tunnel, at the lonely Sugar Loaf Summit Signal Box. The signalman comes down to apologise for the delay caused by 'a goods train down at Llanwrtyd'.

This particular turn is a very tough one for the engine crew who, after a half hour break at Shrewsbury, will work the next passenger train back to Swansea.

Band Two

'V.2' class 2-6-2s: No. 60931 with a 270 ton Edinburgh (Millerhill)-Perth afternoon freight train and No. 60822 with a 220 ton Edinburgh (Millerhill)-Dundee evening freight train.

It is late afternoon as No. 60931, beset by signal checks on the journey towards Perth, stands at signals near Kinross Junction. The driver is anxious to get a move on and the fireman, anticipating some hard work with the shovel, remarks on the effect that this exercise will have on his figure.

'We're away this time', says the driver, opening the regulator as the signal clears; then, as the engine moves slowly forward on rising gradients, the hollow 'off beat' sound of the exhaust is heard through the open firebox door.

The fireman is busy with the shovel as yet another adverse signal is sighted; No. 60931 whistles and clanks on towards the signal box where the driver calls out details ofthe train, identifying it to the signalman, then turns to the fireman with a pessimistic comment on the chances of now getting a clear run.

Passing Kinross Junction the metallic sounds of the motion and valve gear are reflected from surrounding buildings: then, as the train gathers speed, the rhythmic thump of a bearing blends with the rhythm of the exhaust, hollow-sounding when heard through the open firebox door.

The train is soon checked again and the injector is turned on as No. 60931 clanks slowly past Milnathort Station; the fireman deals with a large lump of. coal and the safety valves lift as the train is brought to a stand at the signals.

Now on the footplate of No. 60822 with the Edinburgh-Dundee train, standing at signals near Wormit. Another 'V.2' comes off the Tay Bridge and as it roars past into the darkness, with an Edinburgh bound freight train, the signal clears. No. 60822 whistles and moves slowly forward, to squeal round the curve before rumbling on to the Tay Bridge.

Having cheerfully invited his mate to 'jump off', the fireman looks down at the lights on the river, speculating on the effect that the new road bridge will have on the old Tay Ferry.

Checked again, on the bridge, No. 60822 squeaks to a stop; the signal soon clears and the train moves off, rattling and rumbling over the central spans, towards the end of the bridge and Dundee Esplanade, near where the train is again stopped by signals.

SIDE TWO Band One

Class '8.F' 2-8-0 No. 48020 with a 400 ton Shrewsbury-Llanelly freight train, on the Central Wales line, from Knighton.

Torrential rain falls from a sullen morning sky as No: 48020 stands in Knighton Station, having taken water in readiness for the hard six mile climb to Llangunllo. The driver and fireman chat to the inspector as they wait for the 'right away', the driver sounds the whistle and No. 48020 moves out of the station, driving wheels slipping slightly on the wet rails. As the train gathers speed on the 1/194 rising gradient along the valley of the Teme, the driver again sounds the whistle in acknowledgment of the guard's hand signal.

The fireman is busy with the shovel as the train heads towards the tiny Halt at Knucklas, here the gradient stiffens to 1/60 which continues, without a break, for the next three miles; from the Halt the single line curves round to cross the valley on the stately 75 ft high Knucklas Viaduct, beautiful even in the rain.

The rain cascades off the cab roof and the sound of the exhaust and clanking side rods is flung back from rocky cutting sides as No. 48020 thrusts on, up the twisting single track through the narrowing valley, where each change of curvature affects the resistance of the train and accordingly slightly alters its speed.

The fireman frequently tends the fire, then turns his attention to the injector, clears the loose coal from the footplate and takes a final look at the fire, as the engine, whistling twice, plunges into the damp darkness of Llangunllo Tunnel which, for 640 yards, burrows under 1,800 ft high Beacon Hill.

Inside the tunnel the line curves to the South East and continues to climb, though on an easier gradient of 1/100, to the summit, 980 ft above sea level, just beyond the tunnel mouth.

Once over the summit the engine is eased, to clank through the station-at Builth Road, 19 miles further down the line-where gentle brake applications bring the train to a halt at signals. Taking advantage of the stop, the crew decide to take water in order to save time for the relief crew, who will be taking over at Llandovery to continue the journey to Llanelly.

Band Two

Class 'A.4 Pacifics' on the Aberdeen-Glasgow express service; No. 60010 Dominion of Canada running light from St Rollox to take over a train at Buchanan Street Station, Glasgow and No. 60012 Commonwealth of Australia leaving Stonehaven on an AberdeenGlasgow express.

On the footplate of No. 60010, which has been checked by signals while running, tender first, from St Rollox Sheds towards Buchanan Street. The signals c1ear and No. 60010 moves off, clanking down the 1/79 gradient, over points and crossings, as the driver sings softly to himself, thinking perhaps of a fast run on this fine spring evening. Approaching the tunnel the driver sounds the whistle, sounding it again inside; before leaving the tunnel the whistle is sounded again as the engine is slowed, to back gently down towards the coaches of the 5.30 p.m. 'St Mungo', waiting in the platform at Buchanan Street.

Now on the footplate of No. 60012, the fireman is busy while the engine stands in Stonehaven Station at the head of the 250 ton 'Bon Accord', the 7.10 a.m. Aberdeen-Glasgow express. As he gets the 'right away' the driver opens the regulator and No. 60012 moves smoothly out of Stonehaven Station .on the 1/149 rising gradient, suddenly the driving wheels slip violently, but the slip is expertly controlled and, to the accompaniment of the fireman's busy shovel, the engine steadily accelerates on the rising gradients which stiffen from 1/149 to 1/103, 1/85 and 1/92; on this journey No. 60012 passed Mile Post 220, five uphill miles from the start, at 60 m.p.h., eight minutes after leaving Stonehaven.

Finally, on the footplate of No. 60010, the whistle is sounded as the engine approaches Forfar, to stop there with the 'St Mungo' express on the Glasgow-Aberdeen journey.

2019-01-17