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Sound Recordings

This valuable resource comprises audio recordings of the railways, made on the lineside, in stations or on locomotive footplates in a range of formats from gramophone records to digital recordings. It also includes the National Archive of Railway Oral History.

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Audio cassette, 'Alf's Teeth' produced for British Rail Red Star parcels services

Audio cassette, 'Alf's Teeth' produced for British Rail Red Star parcels services

1985-11
Original sound recordings of steam trains recorded by John Burnie

Original sound recordings of steam trains recorded by John Burnie

1960-1970
Audio cassette, recording of locomotives operating on the last day before the closure of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway line

Audio cassette, recording of locomotives operating on the last day before the closure of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway line

1966-03-05
Original sound recording 'Steam north of the River 1A'

Original sound recording 'Steam north of the River 1A'

1960-1970
10-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'O praise the Lord with one Consent'

10-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'O praise the Lord with one Consent'

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Songs of the Sea'

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Songs of the Sea'

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Address to the Woodlark'

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Address to the Woodlark'

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Overture 'Ruy Blas''

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Overture 'Ruy Blas''

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Ah! Fors e lui'

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Ah! Fors e lui'

One magnetic reel-to-reel 1/4" audio tape, copy of segment with Joseph Duddington extracted from BBC radio programme, 'The World Goes By', broadcast on BBC Home Service on 15/04/1944 at 6:30pm and presented by Frederick Henry Grisewood. In this extract, Joseph Duddington talks about his experience as the driver of the A4 class locomotive Mallard when setting a new world speed record at 126 mph on 3 July 1938.

Sound recording copy of Joseph Duddington extract in BBC radio programme 'The World Goes By'

1944-04-15
Audio cassette, copy of a 25 minutes extract from BBC Radio 4 programme 'Down Your Way' broadcast on 22 February 1976. In this extract, the presenter, Brian Johnston, who is visiting Shildon for this specific broadcast, is interviewing Jeff Brecknell (Shildon railway works manager), as well as David Kell, Ethel Malcolm, Cecil Atwood, Bill Giles, Frank Thompson and Charlie Raine. Detailed content: Introduction: Shildon, population 15000, between Darlington and Bishop Auckland, first railway town, industries, countryside around [00:01:10] British Rail Engineering Works; interview with Works’s Manager Jeff Brecknell (JB), 58 acre site, 11 acres covered, 2600 staff, repair and make wagons, freight works entirely, modern wagon design, workforce background, family atmosphere, site of place where first passenger train in the World left (1825), why Shildon, first passenger train details, details of engine Locomotion, details of Timothy Hackworth, Timothy Hackworth’s house/museum details; [00:06:00] interview with David Kell (DK), writer of the song The Iron Road; song written with a friend from the group Geordie Penker, explanation of “Penker”, DK works in Accounts section at the Works, family background, memories of 150th Celebrations, DK runs Methodist Youth Club, little socially for young people, boxing club in Shildon; [00:09:40] interview with Miss Ethel Malcolm, ex-school mistress, employed from 1922, seeing miners in the town, memories of father (a miner), memories of children, boot fund for children, memories of depression, fun in the classroom; [00:13:30] interview with Cecil Atwood (CA), Managing Director of paint factory; view from factory includes first railway station in the World, 750 employees, mostly local people, reasons CA has a paint factory, types of paint produced, views about Shildon, interest in horses, show jumping and horse racing links, horse breeding details [00:17:50] interview with Bill Giles, a railway man, pigeon breeder, details of breeding, pigeon fanciers in the North-East, racing pigeons; [00:20:00] interview with Frankie Thompson, a railway man, whippet Club member, whippet racing details, whippet sizes [00:21:10] interview with Charlie Raine, entertainer, ex-boxer, Railway Championship boxing winner, decline in number of boxers, experience as a comedian, singing of George Roby’s song “In other Words”, memories of George Roby, performances now [00:25:32] [end of recording]

Audio cassette, copy of BBC Radio 4 programme 'Down Your Way' on Shildon

1976
Master tapes of sound recordings taken on the railways from the 1950s to the 1970s. Second batch received 26th March 2004.

the peter handford archive

circa 1950-2003
Audio CD, commercially released and distributed by BMG records in 1990, music made and produced by Leon Redbone. A leaflet published by Central Advertising Services (BRB) is enclosed in the CD case. The leaflet promotes InterCity services with text and photographs. The CD contains three tracks: 1. Relax, 2. Untwist and 3. 14th Street Blues.

Audio CD 'Relax' compilation of three music by Leon Redbone

1990
Three 10 inch lacquer discs (aka acetate discs), railway sound recordings made by Peter Handford/Transacord Ltd., in the United Kingdom, in the 1950s. These are early editions of Transacord Ltd discs. The discs titles and references are: "Birmingham-Leamington" E/428-429, "The Class A3 'Pacific' locomotive" E/440-441and "From London (Euston)" E/442-443. Typed notes detailing the content of the discs are enclosed in the discs sleeves.

Transacord Ltd. 10 inch lacquer discs of Peter Handford railway sound recordings

1950-1960
One 10 inch lacquer disc, album "Birmingham-Leamington" published in 1955 by Transacord Limited as E/428-429. Recordings made by Peter Handford.

Transacord Ltd. 10 inch disc, Birmingham-Leamington

1955
One magnetic reel-to-reel 1/4" audio tape, copy of '30' Station Announcer', likely a reel of test/practice station announcements (different female voices). The reel seemed to have been accidenttally left on recording ambient background sound and background conversation at points.

Sound recording copy of Station Announcer

Audio cassette titled 'The InterCity 21st Anniversary Album', issued by British Rail InterCity in April-May 1987, narrated by Sir Michael Hordern. Issued to mark the 21st anniversary of BR InterCity services and distributed on all InterCity trains.

Audio cassette, The InterCity 21st Anniversary Album

1987-04
Original sound recording on 1/4 inch reel-to-reel magnetic audio tape, recorded by John Burnie. Sounds of a steam train and whistle, recorded in the North of River Clyde, likely in 1964. Handwritten note enclosed: Central low level Friday 2 October, day before withdrawal of passenger services. 0-22 3.57pm train to Dalmuir riverside starting from the station on the last day of the working; 22-301 On the footplate of 44898, on the train to Dumbarton Central, leaving low level at 4.42

Original sound recording 'Steam north of the River 1B'

1960-1970
One 10 inch lacquer disc, album "From London (Euston)" published in 1956 by Transacord Limited as E/442 and E/443. Recordings made by Peter Handford.

Transacord Ltd. 10 inch disc, From London (Euston)

1956
Master tapes of sound recordings taken on the railway from the 1950s to the 1970s. Approx 1500 master tapes (reel-to-reel).

the peter handford archive

c.1950-2003
One magnetic reel-to-reel 1/4" audio tape, containing extract of BBC Radio London monthly programme for railway enthusiast ‘Rail’, broadcast on 26 October 1975. This is the extract of the programme covering the opening of the National Railway Museum in York. 7 inch audio reel, recorded at 7 ½ ips This is a complementary copy supplied by BBC Radio London to the NRM as the museum was the topic of the programme, it is likely that it contains interviews of people involved with the museum at the time.

Sound recording extract of BBC Radio London programme ‘Rail’ about the opening of the National Railway Museum

1975-10-26
Original sound recording on 1/4 inch reel-to-reel magnetic audio tape, recorded by John Burnie in the 1960s. Unidentified steam recording, belibed to be recorded on a steam ship, likely a paddle steamer (potentially PS Waverley on Clyde river), includes recording of steam engine room (movement of pistons), bells (in engine room?), accordion music (buskers?), anchor, announcements to passengers (Scottish accent?), passenger voices in background, ship horn. Duration: 16 minutes

Original sound recording of unidentified steam ship

1960-1970
Original sound recording on 1/4 inch reel-to-reel magnetic audio tape, recorded by John Burnie in the 1960s. Unidentified steam train recording, recorded from the footplate (includes sound of fireman shovelling coal at the beginning of recording). Duration: 9 minutes

Original sound recording of unidentified steam train

1960-1970
Audio cassette ‘Cuneo: Railway painter of the century talking to Narisa Chakra’ published by Richard Lucraft Limited in 1990. This audio cassette was likely released to accompany the book ‘Terrence Cuneo: railway painter of the century’ by Narisa Chakra (London : New Cavendish Books, 1990; ISBN 0904568741), as insert inside the case refers to book pages on specific posters and paintings.

Audio cassette 'Cuneo: Railway painter of the century talking to Narisa Chakra'

1990
Original sound recording on 1/4 inch reel-to-reel magnetic audio tape, recorded by John Burnie on 13 August 1964. Handwritten note enclosed: Terminus Glasgow’s terminal stations. Dull, dry 13 August 1964. Central. 0-12 11.19 electric M.U leaves station for the inner circle. 12-27 12.25 to Wemyss Bay leaving plat 12 behind 80061 the train emerges from beneath the echoing roof passes the microphone and [starts] off across the bridge. 27-39 Electric M.U departing for [Hellston?] with the 12.36. 40-57 73061 [Propels?] the coaches of the 1.5 to Gourock into plat 13. 57-78 Out of plat 12 comes the 12.50 to Gourock being 73075. 78-89 While D215 comes right into the station, the 80060 enters plat 12 with the 1.0 from Gourock. 89-95 80086 backs down into plat 12 96-112 73061 leaves plat 13 on 1.5 for Gourock while a diesel waits in the bay. 112-135 While an electric M.U leaves the station, 80086 passes on the 1.20 to Gourock from plat 12 a diesel M.U enters 13, then 80066 leaves light. 135-145 80066 leaves the station light. 145-159 80110 takes a train of empty stock out of the station St Enoch. 160-209 73063 leave on 2pm to Carlisle hardly has the train 9[entered?] the Clyde bridge when D[sl?] leaves, to the accompaniment of a ‘staff announcement’. 209-253 80024 leaves with coaches ex 11am Carlisle 253-264 44726 leaves light. Buchanan street. 264-308 A gaggle of ‘enthusiasts’ watches the 3.15pm for Dundee wave behind 45313 while 45214 simmers 2 platforms away

Original sound recording 'Terminus Glasgow’s terminal stations'

1964-08-13
Cassette tape, complimentary, British Rail, entitled ‘Paying the Piper’, words and music for the traveller from Barry Took and British Rail, boxed with Barry Took autograph, copyright 1986, 193mm x 121mm x 20mm.

Barry Took Paying the Piper

1986
Commercial 45 rpm EP (extended play) disc titled Folk Train released in 1970, produced by Folk Heritage Recordings for The Yorkshire Dales Railway Society, with musicians/artists Mike Donald, Ian Clark, and Christopher Rowe The EP contains 4 tracks: 'Settle-Carlisle Railway', 'Visions of Cumbria', 'Night Express-North Bound' and 'The Permanent Way'. With music, words and likely railway sound recordings

45 rpm EP disc ‘Folk Train’

1970
Original sound recording on 1/4 inch reel-to-reel magnetic audio tape, recorded by John Burnie in the 1960s. Side 1: unidentified steam train recordings. Side 2: recording of BBC radio broadcast from 11/02/1965, ‘The Awful Calamity’ story told by Eleanor Ransome (about the 1st railway death, William Huskisson, golden snuffbox offered by widow Mrs Huskisson to Doctor Ransome who tried to rescue Huskinson on the day). Duration: 37 minutes on each side.

Original sound recording of unidentified steam train and BBC radio broadcast 'The Awful Calamity'

1965
Album of music released for the centenary of the railway trade union Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), published by Pigeon Music (ASLEF 100) in 1980. 7 inch 45 rpm EP disc recorded on two sides, with music interpreted by Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Side 1: The Centenary, specially composed for ASLEF Centenary 1980 by James Quomo; Side 2: The Boy I love is on the engine, composed by Owen Quomo, interpreted by Lorraine Hart, accompanied by Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

45 rpm EP disc released for ASLEF centenary

1980
Cassette tape, magnetic tape in plastic casing with plastic box and card insert, 'Hancock's Parcel Service', comedy starring Trevor Bannister as Tony Hancock, written and produced by Infomericals for British Rail Red Star parcels services. Summarised "Anthony Aloysius Hancock has set himself up in opposition to Red Star. Unfortunately his trained carrier pigeons have ideas above their station." Recorded before a live audience on 22 Nov. 1985.

Audio cassette, 'Hancock's Parcel Service' produced for British Rail Red Star parcels services

1985-11
6 magnetic 1/4" audio tapes, BBC engineering copies of recordings made at Shildon during Rail 150 celebration and cavalcade, on 31/08/1975 by BBC Radio Cleveland (renamed BBC Tees in 2007). The tapes are not a complete set. Five tapes cover the commentary (by commentators: Mike Hollingworch, Graeme Aldons, and in background, public address by Alan Pegler), effects and base recordings. One tape is a copy of the BBC Radio Cleveland broadcast of the opening of the Timothy Hackworth Museum by H. M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on 17/07/1975 (commentator: Mike Hollingworth).

BBC engineering copies of sound recordings relating to Rail 150 event in Shildon

1975
Wallet, complimentary, red plastic, entitled ‘Railway Confidence for the business traveller’, British Rail Intercity, with audio cassette tape entitled ‘Travelling Time A Miscellany in Words, Music and Song’ by Barry Took and information cards regarding the recording, Intercity, travelling first class and business journey vouchers, copyright 1984, 132mm x 89mm x 23mm.

Railway Confidence for the business traveller

1984
One 10 inch lacquer disc, album "The Class A3 'Pacific' locomotive" published in 1956 by Transacord Limited as E/440 and E/441. Recordings made by Peter Handford.

Transacord Ltd. 10 inch disc, The Class A3 'Pacific' locomotive

1956
Original sound recording on 1/4 inch reel-to-reel magnetic audio tape, recorded by John Burnie in the 1960s. Sound of a steam train including whistles, puffing and breaks screaming.

Original sound recording 'The East Fife Rail Tour'

1960-1970
Cassette tape, magnetic tape in plastic casing with plastic box and card insert, 'The Farewell Party', comedy starring John Wells, written and produced by Infomercials for British Rail Red Star parcels services. Summarised "After thirty years of service to Plotkins, the trusty old despatch manager is retiring. Unfortunately, when the vino flows, so does the veritas." Recorded before a live audience on 22 Nov. 1985.

Audio cassette, 'The Farewell Party' produced for British Rail Red Star parcels services

1985-11
Cassette tape 'Travelling time: A miscellany in words, music and song', a compilation by Barry Took for British Rail, produced in 1984.

Audio cassette, 'Travelling Time'

1984
Four magnetic 1/4" audio tapes, original master railway sound recordings and interviews made by freelance sound recordist Michael Farr for use in the BBC Radio Bristol programme 'Rail' presented by Jim Palm. Content according information enclosed with the recordings: Tape 1: Bressingham, c 1972, Alan Bloom; BR Mystery Tour from Bristol, c 1972, passenger vox pop, Talyllyn c 1970, David Woodhouse (a volunteer); Dart Valley, c1970, Barry Woodman; Cranmore, East Somerset Railway, Royal Opening, David Shepherd, Prince Bernhard Tape 2: Narrow gauge on film, John Huntley; InterCity 125 test run Bristol-London, Gerry Marshall; Bristol Tram Centenary, John Appleby. Railways on film, John Huntley. Cranmore and Black Prince, David Shepherd. Tape 3: Industrial archaeology, Geoff Body; Monkwearmouth, Paul Talbot; InterCity 125 high speed run Bristol-London, O.S. Nork, etc.; Cranmore, George Davies. Tape 4: Railways of Hampshire, Edwin Course; Southern Railway, reg. signalling, George Pryer; 'Little lines' Edward Griffith; Weymouth Quay, Jim Palm/Michael Farr.

Railway sound recordings and interviews recorded for BBC Radio Bristol programme 'Rail'

1970-1979
Original sound recording on 1/4 inch reel-to-reel magnetic audio tape, recorded by John Burnie in the 1960s. Sound of a train travelling on a windy day

Original sound recording 'Port Road Eastern section'

1960-1970
Cassette tape, magnetic tape in plastic casing with plastic box and card insert, 'Red Star over Whitehall', comedy starring Geoffrey Palmer, written and produced by Infomercials for British Rail Red Star parcels services. Summarised "Paranoia stalks the corridors of power when a junior official misinterprets the Red Stars on the parcels leaving the MI-9 department." Recorded before a live audience on 22 Nov. 1985.

Audio cassette, 'Red Star over Whitehall' produced for British Rail Red Star parcels services

1985-11
Audio cassette ‘Eavesdrop on 600 years of Highland History: The life and legend of the West Highland Line’ produced by ScotRail Advertising, made and released around 2000. It is an audio compilation recounting the history of the West Highland Line, between Glasgow and Mallaig, using spoken words, sound effects and songs.

Audio cassette 'Eavesdrop on 600 years of Highland History' by ScotRail

1997-2004
Original sound recording on 1/4 inch reel-to-reel magnetic audio tape, recorded by John Burnie in 1965. Sound of birds singing and a steam train in motion. Handwritten note enclosed: Mon 24 May 1965, Beside Loch Libo. 7.49 73106, D28 late, M.U, 45489

Original sound recording 'Beside Loch Libo, 1965'

1965-05-24
Envelope containing correspondences and notes regarding sound recording of Uganda railway, addressed to John Adams, letter from Maurice Dybeck, 15/09/1962, sending tapes and tracks information of sound recording (and filming) made in Uganda, as John Adams may be looking into using it for Railway Roundabout ([Roundup] in notes)

Correspondences 'Uganda'

1962
9 magnetic 1/4" audio tapes, copies of radio programme 'On Railways', broadcast on BBC Third Programme between 1959 and 1961. The programme features sound of foreign and British railways.

Sound recording copies of BBC radio programme 'On Railways'

1959-1961
content: 0-6-0ST Lightcliffe sidings of non-ship Slone Co. (Broche's) ; Bodmin & Wadebride line SR, Wentford bridge, China clay works branch ; Hellifield to Carlisle main line

Notes 'Lightcliffe sidings etc..'

Master tapes of sound recordings taken on the railways from the 1950s to the 1970s. Third batch received 9th June 2004.

the peter handford archive

circa 1950-2003
Gramophone Record, "Address to the Woodlark" (Wm. Jackson Junior, Arrangement Leslie Woodgate) by the LNER Male Voice Choir. Broadcast performance by London & North Eastern Railway Musical Society at the Royal Hall, Harrogate on 15th March 1936. Side 1: “Address to the Woodlark” The LNER Male Voice Choir. Side 2 blank. MSS Recording Co. Ltd. label Broadcast Recording Department. Disc dimensions: 12 inch diameter.

12-inch, 78 rpm EP disc 'Address to the Woodlark'

1936-03-15
One magnetic reel-to-reel 1/4" audio tape, copy of Industrial Welfare Society's 'The Telephone Operator'. This copy is thought to have been used by British Railways Board as audio training material for their staff in the 1970s-1980s. A different title, 'The Receptionist', is written on the reel.

Sound recording copy of The Telephone Operator

1970-1980
Recorded notes on a study relating to ISO containers and Elevated Twist Locks. Includes a description of a model depicting a new style of freigt yard with no cranes.

Audio cassette 'Elevating Twist Lock'

One magnetic reel-to-reel 1/4" audio tape master. 'BR. Y.T.S' is written on the back of the case and a list of 4 songs: 1. Toy Boy, 2. Summer Loving, 3. Save the Last Dance, 4. Spoken Words. This suggests that the tape contains songs interpreted by participants to the British Rail Youth Training Scheme. The tape was recorded by Blue Strike recorders in Harrogate on 26 November 1987 and engineered by Will Jackson. It is a stereo recording, 15 ips, NAB, non Dolby.

Sound recording of music by British Rail Youth Training Scheme participants

1987-11-26
One magnetic reel-to-reel 1/4" audio tape, copy of 'Safety on 25kV AC Electrified Lines: Construction Workers' thought to have been made by British Transport Films as training material for British Railways staff in the 1970s-80s. On the case, this copy are marked '14'. This is a pulsed copy, made to be used in conjunction with a slide projector. This audio production would have been shown with slides.

Sound recording copy of Safety on 25kV AC Electrified Lines: Construction Workers

1970-1980