In 2008 I wrote ‘Single Track Obsession - A Book of Extraordinary Railway Journeys’. While researching this book I watched the video camera footage I had taken while making some of the journeys in the book.
Each recording captures a moment in the history of a particular railway, and I decided they deserved a wider coverage. Some lines have closed, others have changed their liveries or rolling-stock.
These are ‘raw’ DVDs with original ‘railway noises’ as originally recorded and no extra added soundtrack.
France is of course well known for the TGV, but these DVDs take you to some of the country’s slowest lines: those operated by enthusiasts, often with steam traction, and some of the more unusual public service railways, both standard and narrow gauge.
| CHEMIN DE FER DE LA BAIE DE SOMME In April 2009, the railway hosted an incredible steam extravaganza, with visiting locomotives from across Europe and the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s P-class tank hauling LMS four-wheeler coach 7965 over the section of mixed-gauge track between St Valéry and Noyelles! |
This DVD has been transferred from original digital recordings but is very much in its ‘raw’ state! Ride both branches, to Le Crotoy and Cayeux, See metre-gauge steam locomotives from all over Europe, and road/rail vehicles, visiting standard gauge locos and current SNCF rolling stock. There are also draisine (inspection trolley) rides, a vintage car exhibition and model and miniature railways! Running time about 55 minutes.
| RAILWAYS OF SOUTHERN FRANCE Filmed in September 2005, this covers four preserved railways: Tournon-Lamastre, Dunières-St Agrève, Anduze - St Jean du Gard and Vógüé - St Jean le Centennier (Viaduc 07). Also explore the quaint SNCF Bessèges branch line. |
A 0-4-4-0T Mallet goes from Tournon to Lamastre, on the Vivarais Railway that has sadly been closed to passengers since April 2008. A metre-gauge diesel train runs between Tence and Dunières over what was once part of the same metre-gauge system. Next follows a cab ride over part of the beautiful, but threatened SNCF branch line from Alès to Bessèges, followed by a steam-hauled trip on the nearby Chemin de Fer des Cévennes and a ride on an ex-SNCF X3800 ‘Picasso’ diesel railcar between Vögüé and Saint-Jean-le-Centennier.
Duration: Approximately one hour.
| CHEMIN DE FER DU BLANC A ARGENT Filmed in October 2009, this gives a driver’s eye view of one of France’s few metre-gauge railways to retain a regular passenger service. See also the beautiful château-style station at Valençay. |
Motive power: Metre-gauge X74500 railcar with MAN 410hp diesel engine.
Route: Salbris - Valençay - Luçay-le-Mâle. 67 kms.
Duration: Approximately one hour
Travel beyond France on some amazing railways!
| A JOURNEY TO SWITZERLAND Filmed in May 2001, this trip starts with shots of the CRTL under construction and visits a metre-gauge steam museum in Valmondois, then off to Spiez, Brig, Andermatt, Lucerne, the Brünig line, the Gotthard line, the Centovalli, MOB and others. Trams and trolleybuses too! |
| RAILWAYS OF SOUTH AFRICA Since mainline steam finished, enthusiasts have tended to ignore South Africa’s railways, but this shows what could be seen on the 2’ and 3’6” gauges in 2007. Includes footage of the Apple Express and of the recently-closed Grahamstown to Alicedale line. |
| A JOURNEY TO NEW ZEALAND NZ railways in the year 2000, before the drastic cuts of 2001. Ride the now-closed Rotorua branch and travel on the North and South Island main trunks. See a preserved Mallet in steam at Glenbrook and ride the trams in Christchurch. |
All DVDs £8 each: 2 for £15, 3 for £20,
Available from: Rob Sissons. Please e-mail me via the "Contact" page if interested in buying any DVDs!