Railways for Ever!

British Transport Films was an organisation set up in 1949 to make documentary films on the general subject of British transport, in the same way as the GPO Film Unit had been set up in the 1930s to make films about the work of the Post Office. "Railways for Ever" is one of their productions, celebrating the phasing out of steam on the British railway network. The official end of mainline steam operation is generally regarded as having come 11th August 1968, the date of a steam-drawn journey from Liverpool to Carlisle and back. The film does not say that this was not a scheduled trip- the last scheduled journey by steam train had taken place eight days earlier- but a special excursion organised for enthusiasts, who were charged fifteen guineas, equivalent to around £240 today, for the privilege.

Among those making the trip was the poet Sir John Betjeman, one of Britain's best-known conservationists and nostalgists- and the film is centred upon him. Steam trains were one of his enthusiasms, but he admits that regardless of what sort of engine is pulling the train he greatly prefers travelling by rail to going by road; it is more relaxing and the views of the scenery are better. Not all the film's short running length is devoted to the trip; we also see Sir John looking round a photographic exhibition and ruminating on railway history. A film well worth seeing for lovers of steam trains and Betjeman.