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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 'Ah! Fors e lui'

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

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

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

1960-1970

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

1985-11

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

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

Original sound recordings of steam trains recorded by John Burnie

1960-1970
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
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 10 inch and one 12 inch lacquer discs (aka acetate discs), recordings by The MSS Recording Co. Ltd, of broadcast performance by the London & North Eastern Railway Musical Society at the Royal Hall, Harrogate, on 15th March 1936. The LNER Male Voice Choir performing "All The April Evening" (Robertson) and "Linden Lea" on the 10 inch disc, and "Address to the Woodlark" (Wm. Jackson - arrangement by Leslie Woodgate) on the 12 inch lacquer disc

Gramophone records, LNER Musical Society, Male Voice Choir

1936-03-15
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
Double album ‘Severn Valley Railway: Sound & Songs’ produced by John Baxter and Peter Lingwood for the Severn Valley Railway in 1971 (SVR 101 and SVR 102). Two 12 inch 33 1/3 rpm LP stereo discs, each recorded on two sides. One disc contains railway music (songs) and the second contains railways sound recordings with on the Sever Valley Railway. Side 1: Ballad of the Severn Valley line, By the peaceful river Severn, Harry's box, With a whistle and a roar; Side 2: Song of Jessie Bishop, Through the woods and fields, Where the Ferry'll take you, Journey song; Side 3: A montage of Severn Valley railway sounds; Side 4: A montage of Severn Valley railway sounds.

33 1/3 rpm LP discs 'Severn Valley Railway: Sound & Songs'

1971
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
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
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
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
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
Small reel, Philips brand, no label, no canister

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'untitled'

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
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Sound Ch1, Durham Viaduct CH1 and Ch2

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Steam in the Sixties Video Timing Soundtrack'

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

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Stockport Exhibition and Tysley Edited Film Master Tape'

1960-1985
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Video Speed. Linkage Shots Video Tape 14. Keighley Worth Valley Railway Video Tape 9. Master Soundtrack

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape ' Linkage shots'

1960-1985
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
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Green leader- Flying Scotsman at Kings Cross; 142 at Hornsey also North of Carnforth and Hellefield; Reading from Boko Navvies Red leader- Continued Reading from Book Navvies; Flying Scotsman at Ribblehead and Hebden bridge; Shap Wells

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape '1968 E'

1968
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Green leader- Family; curlews; Flying Scotsman at Berwick; Car; Mina Bird; etc. Red leader-Bird calls.

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape '1968'

1968
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Platform doors shutting; Haworth Recording; Oliver Cromwell

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Last Weeks of Steam'

1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Red leader-Commentary 7 days in Wilderness; Land of Fire, Sea, Water WHITE- Music Mars; Sinfonia Antarctica; Crows; Swifts;

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape 'Commentary Iceland Films'

1966
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
1/4 inch open reel magnetic audio tape recorded by Kenneth Oldham. Green leader-Waverley; BBC queen Elizabeth; 21/9/75 York. Red leader- Green leader Arrow 27/3/78; Arnside 4/7/78 Flying Scotsman; MTT Holmes; USA Evening star 2/9/78; 16/9/78 Settle Junction Clan Line.

1/4 inch Open Reel Audio Tape '1975/D/78'