Nick Nicholls
2021Under the Wires
Nick Nicholls
The electrification of the London Midland Region main line between London, Manchester and Liverpool at 25KV AC, using overhead wires and drawing supply from the National Grid, was a major undertaking involving civil, electrical, mechanical and signal engineering of a complex and advanced nature. This film depicts some aspects of the problems involved and of the unprecedented operations which were carried out.
Under the Wires
Rail Report 8: The New Tradition
Nick Nicholls
Anthony Marsh
Report No. 8 in a series of 13 topical films, produced since the far reaching plan for the modernisation and re-equipment of British Railways in 1955 started to take effect, to log the many developments - new services, equipment, techniques - wherever these have been introduced. They provide a unique pictorial record of the progress of British Railways.
Rail Report 8: The New Tradition
Contact: With the Heart of England
Nick Nicholls
Introducing the new electric services between the West Midlands, Stoke, London and the North-West. A service which started 6th March 1967 which is second to none in this country, and indeed of its type, second to none in the world. Bringing with it a number of new facilities for the passengers together with speed, frequency and electric reliability. Moving travellers across the country at 100 miles an hour much of the time.
Contact: With the Heart of England
Rail Report 6: The Good Way to Travel
John Taylor, Nick Nicholls
Anthony Marsh
Neptune, an automatic and electronically equipped track fault recorder; Tinsley marshalling yard; freight trains - cement, limestone, cars; Reading station and signal box; the laying of long welded rails; Toton diesel maintainance depot; new electrification multiple unit rolling stock for service from Euston, locomotive cab training simulator, Willesden control room; Cross-Channel - launching the SS Dover... are topics featured in this film.
Rail Report 6: The Good Way to Travel
Inter-City 125
Nick Nicholls
The film tells the story of the building of a new generation of high speed Inter-City trains. As well as providing speed and air-conditioned comfort, the design philosophy behind the trains was to extend the modular replacement concept as far as possible. Complete engines, alternators, cooling and brake systems, and electronic controls had to be modified so that they could be disconnected quickly and replaced, thus allowing fast, easy maintenance with a high degree of reliability. The film was made for the equipment manufacturers and British Rail.
Inter-City 125
Speedrail to the South
Nick Nicholls
The newest Southern electrified route, London-Southampton-Bournemouth, is the subject of this film. After a glimpse of the old days of steam, we follow travellers of all kinds as they experience the pleasures of travel which is clean, quiet, fast and frequent.
Speedrail to the South
Spick and Span
Nick Nicholls
Two and a half million passengers every day all over the country; thousands of trains, each to be cleaned at the end of its journey. This film shows in detail the various types of cleaning undertaken at stations, between journeys and at cleaning depots.
Spick and Span
Old Sam the Signalman
Nick Nicholls
Made for school children, Old Sam reminisces over the old days of the railways and tells of the modern railway of today and how modernisation has brought new level crossings. he explains how they work and how to use them.
Old Sam the Signalman
Partners In Prosperity
Nick Nicholls
Marks an era of rail advancement in Scotland 1979/80, in both passenger and freight markets. For showing to opinion formers in local government, and potential customers. A film, narrated by actor Iain Cuthbertson, setting out a plan for an integrated road and rail transport structure in Scotland, to make it a modern, efficient country while keeping it "a land fit for folk to live in".
Partners In Prosperity
Midland Country
Nick Nicholls
Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire - eleven Midland counties which can offer the holidaymaker a variety of pleasures and some of the lovliest English countryside.
Midland Country
Mishap
Nick Nicholls
This film shows the operating procedures necessary for protection on a double track in the event of a mishap affecting the opposite line. We see the safety measures to be taken by station staff in such an emergency, and then how normal working is resumed.
Mishap
