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

1966-03-05

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

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

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

Original sound recordings of steam trains recorded by John Burnie

1960-1970

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

1985-11

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

1960-1970

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

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

various Scotsman brochures including one with 7” record. Papers of Brian Hastings, 1960s. Brian Hastings was former publicity officer for Flying Scotsman Enterprises and the 4472 Club, and a railtour organiser.

Papers of Brian Hastings

1960s
Three audiocassettes recorded during the seminar 'APT-E Past & Future' organised by the Institute of Railway Studies on 28 September 1996. Two audiocassettes cover the morning session (tape 1, sides A and B, tape 2, sides A and B), one tape the afternoon session (tape 3, sides A and B).

Audio recording of Institute of Railway Studies seminar, APT-E Past & Future

1996-09-28
Cassette tape, magnetic tape in plastic casing with plastic box and card insert, 'The Farewell Party', comedy starring John Wells, written and produced by Infomericals 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, 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
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
Handwritten on case: Uganda railways / Handwritten on leader: Uganda, train, [Dybeck]

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" (acetate base) 'Uganda railways'

1958-1964
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
BBC Recording service label, Ref. No. KLO 67880, 1 ; Wats rewind ; Take 1: Train leaving Volos ; Take 2: Enroute to Milee / Location: Greece

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Train leaving Volos, enroute to Milee'

1958-1964
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
BBC Recording service label, nothing written on the label

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" '?'

1958-1963
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
BBC Recording service label, Ref. No. KLO 62880, Reel No. 3 ; Take 1: H'Chief game at Milee station ; Take 2: Train leaving Milee station (3.15 pm) ; Take 3: For Volos crossing bridge (students singing) ; Take 5: Sounds in streets of Volos ; Take 6: A. Fish market, B. Street behind harbour, horses and larts crossing railway line in street / Note: this could correspond to sound recordings of Pelion railway, a Greek railway connection the city of Volos with the town of Mileai in Greece (AB, 21/11/2016) / Location: Greece

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'H'chief game at Milee station, etc.'

1958-1964
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
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 cassette, corporate material produced by European Rail Catering (1996-1997, previously known as the OBS Company, formed by the management team of Intercity Onboard Services, following the privatisation of British Rail in 1994-1995). The audio cassette is an introduction to European Rail Catering, where its Managing Director, Terry Coyle, addresses new starters. He presents the organisation, people and products made by the company.

Audio cassette, ‘Terry Coyle introduces European Rail catering to new entrants’

1996-1997
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Written on reel: RW Commentary

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape '5900B'

1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Red leader- Copy of Flying Scotsman Edinburgh to Perth; Lancastrian Rail Toad; White leader- Severn Valley Railway; Hellefield Green leader Arrow; LMS Goods; Rag Bone Cart; Budgie Talk; Leander; Bamford

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape '1974 K'

1974
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Red leader- Ruwenzori- Rain Maker BBC TV Wed 28th April 7.30pm REVERSE- Iceland Sounds

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'RD Rainmaker'

1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Green leader- Silloth copy; 123 to Ordon Carnstairs; Double Head Scottish Rambler; More silloth; Flying Scotsman From Train.

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Silloth'

1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Green leader leader- Vintage Rally; Harewood House soundtrack; Iceland;

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'T1800I'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Green leader leader- Polish Loco; LMS 0-6-0; Standard BR Class; whistles; cranking; Standard V and USA in distance; Lion approach Red leader leader- Lord Nelson in Giggleswick; Duchess at Ribblehead; whistles. Detailed commentary in box

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape '1981 A'

1981
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Soundtrack Ch1, Cue track Ch2. 23.40 mins, 24fps

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Soundtrack for The Little Northwestern'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Soundtrack CH1, Cue track CH2- Film/Soundtrack 19. 24fps

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Soundtrack for Thoroughbreds of Steam Part Five'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Bahamas at Ramsbottom; Duchess at Skipton; Princess Margaret Rose at North Cote; Sit Nigel at Rawtenstall

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape '1994/1997'

1994-1997
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Soundtrack CH1, Cue Track CH2- Film/Soundtrack 16

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Soundtrack for Thoroughbreds of Steam Part Two'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Soundtrack CH1, Cue Track CH2- Film/Soundtrack 15

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Soundtrack for Thoroughbreds of Steam Part One'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. 24 fps.

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Great Steam Tours Soundtrack'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Red leader leader side- blank

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Film Track for Flying Scotsman'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Revised 11/09/2000. 25fps. Film No10. From Exeter to end of film

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Steam in the Sixties Part Two- Video Speed Soundtrack'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Natural Sounds Ch1, Cue Comments Ch2/ 25min/ 24fps.

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Soundtrack for Steam in the Sixties part Two'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Natural Sounds Ch1, Cue Comments Ch2 30 min 30 sec. 24fps. (Start delayed 1min 10 sec to allow insert of titles on film version)

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Soundtrack for Steam in the Sixties part One'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham.

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'CRICH Extravaganza'

1960-1985
BBC Recording service label, Railway [Roundup], Reel No. 3, User John Adams, 29/06/1963 ; 3 ; Bluebell Railway, journey from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes behind SECR No. 27 ; 14min 10sec

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Railway [Roundup]'

1963
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
Handwritten on case: 15 / Handwritten on paper (fibre product)s attached to case, description of Band I to XXX: Paddington, Band I. 9460 pulling empty stock for Paddington-Plymouth train into platform 1 ; II. 4:10 Birmingham 6027 Richard I ; III. 4:15 Barburry Brecon Castle (single C...) ; IV. No. 1504 whistles impatiently and leaves with train of empty stock ; V. May flower leaving hauled by D858 Val... followed by 9405 hauling out empty stock and 9460 pssing light being engine which pulled in empty stock for May Flower (see Bnad I) ;VI. 4:35 leaving with Alderban Hall ... etc...

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Paddington'

1958-1964
BBC Recording service label, Reel No. 1, User John Adams, 03/04/1964 ; 31 ; District Engineer Saloon ; Journey between Shrewsbury and Saltley with Mr Rees the district engineer, 11 bands including 2min35sec interview

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'District engineer saloon'

1964
Small reel, Philips brand, no label, no canister

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'untitled'

BBC Recording service label, ref no. 3, 15/09/1963 ; Ashington

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Ashington'

1963
BBC Recording service label, Q6, User John Adams, 09/1963 ; 29 ; Q6 Ashington to Cambois, Blythe, Shunting at Ashington [Cam], ascending bank at [Cam], arriving at [P…] 63386 / Typed note enclosed: Q6 63386 ; 1. Taking empties to top of yard ; 2. Running light back to Marshalling Yard and waiting for instruction ; 3. Procceding light intoyard to pick up van ; 4. Shunting van ; 5. Backing on to load ; 6. Taking load (blowing off stops half way through tape) ; 7. Working hard on bank in Colliery and easing off at top prior to taking on brake vam ; 8. Restarting having picked up van and running free after getting train under way ; 9. Check for signals and pulling away ; 10. Shunting off train

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Q6'

1963
BBC Recording service label, Railway [Roundup], Reel No. 5, User John Adams, 30/06/1963 ; Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch light railway, recording of complete journey from St Mary's Bay to New Romney behind Green Gordon with driver George Barlow

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Railway [Roundup]'

1963
Handwritten on case: Tyseley open day, 28/09/1969

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Tyseley Open Day'

1969