Film - Railways for the World

The film presents the services offered by GEC TPL and targets potential foreign clients. Using footage of modern railway projects conducted by GEC TPL and animated drawings, the film argues the superiority of rail transport and diesel and electric traction while showcasing GEC TPL services to run railway modernisation and electrification projects entirely.

Numerous shots were taken of various railway systems around the world, especially on Taiwan Railways, British Railways and London Underground. Film footage and animated drawings feature and compare examples of freight transportation by aircraft, barge, ship, road and rail. The film exposes and compares the existing options for modern railway: diesel, diesel electric or electric traction. GEC TPL is presented as an all-in-one company which can coordinate all aspects of building a new or modernise a railway system: design, construction, equipping, training, commissioning and funding.

A map reveals the various railway companies around the world with which GEC TPL already works closely in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, etc.

The film reviews the steps through how a modern electric railway is created. An assessment is made by specialists, consultants and local experts on site and a feasibility report is produced. This is illustrated with shots showing paper proposals previously produced by GEC TPL: Tender for Electrification of the Trunk Line from Keelung to Kaohsiung for Taiwan Railway Administration; Modernisation, Electrification and Development of the Kowloon-Canton Railway System (Hong Kong); Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway System; Carajas Railway Project (Brazil); Rede Ferroviaria Federal S.A (Brazil); Ferrocarril Suburban en Areas Metropolitanas del Valle de Mexico; Iranian State Railways, Modernisation and Electrification of Tehran-Tabriz Line.

Close up shots of British Railways electric locomotives demonstrate the difference between low voltage DC third rail system and overhead high voltage AC system, and the existence of dual standard system with manual or automatic changeover.

Footage of the London’s financial building illustrates GEC TPL ability to help clients with seeking funding and negotiations.

Further step in making a modern railway is the actual construction or modernisation of tracks, which can be coordinated by GEC TPL, commissioning local contractors. This is shown using footage of track laying, construction, bridge and tunnel work around the world. Further footage shows computers in offices as well as tests, surveys and measurements conducted on site, checking ground conditions, rail alignment. These data are used to assess the best choice of structure and line side equipment according to the specific site.

A segment explains the path of power, how it is conveyed and transformed from the power station to the railways. Some footage shows substation cabins, vacuum circuit breakers and modern interrupters necessary for underground railway.

A modern signalling system is featured; cable circuits lodged along the trackside are filmed. Some shots were taken inside a control centre for Taiwan Railways.

In parallel to track construction, power and telecommunication equipment build on site, locomotive and rolling stock are built and delivered as told by large shots of a factory followed by shots of carriage being unloaded from a ship in Taiwan.

After delivery, GEC TPL ensures modern workshops are available to take care of the necessary maintenance on the locomotive and rolling stock and delivers a technical and managerial training scheme for the local workers.

Using footage of the London Underground, the film also promotes GEC TPL service to help organising a network.

Finally, GEC TPL is understood as a full package services in one single company handling all the aspects of the construction or modernisation of a railway for its clients.

The end credits acknowledge the following companies for their help in the making of the film:

British Railways, British Transport Films, Central Electricity Generating Board, Film Australia, London Transport Executive, Rede Ferroviaria Federal S.A (Brazil), South African Railways, Taiwan Railway Administration