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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 recording 'Steam north of the River 1A'

1960-1970

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

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

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

1969
BBC Recording service label, reel 2 ; NBR [North British Railway?] ; 25

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" (acetate + polyester base) 'NBR'

1958-1964
BBC Recording service label, Reel No. 1 ; 33 ; No. 70016 Ariel goes to Stafford ; Return yo John Adams

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" '70016 Ariel foes to Stafford'

1958-1964
BBC Recording service label, Reel No. 1, User John Adams, 16/09/1963 ; Newcastle Central station ; Take 1. J72 [… movement] ; 2. [N/Cle - Newcastle] […] ; 24

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Newcastle Central station'

1963
BBC Recording service label, Reel No. 2 , User John Adams, 29/07/1964 ; Festiniog Railway ; Take 1. Booking office sounds ; 2. ME backing onto train at harbour ; 3. ME leaving harbour with 2:15pm ; 4. Prince passing signal on [WB] ; 5. ME approaching and stopping at Pewryn ;6. ME leaving Pewryn

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Festiniog Railway'

1964
BBC Recording service label, User John Adams, 26/09/1964 ; E ; Take 1. TR Special Talerddig bank (4555 and Manor) ; 2. Welshpool shunting (Llanfair) ; 3. Welshpool leaving Llanfair ; 4. Welshpool [approach and pass] ; 6. Welshpoll approach Castle Caereinion ; Welshpool locomotive 'Earl'

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Welshpool & Llanfair'

1964
Handwritten note on case is crossed over: Vale of Rheidol

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" '[untitled]'

Handwritten on case: Track [I.2], Brienz-Rothorn / Switzerland

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Brienz-Rothorn'

1958-1964
Handwritten on case: I.O.W [Isle of Wight] ; 7 1/2 ips one track only ; I.O.W [IOW] tape III [tape 3] ; / Detail of tracks on case: A: notes for Shirley, B: section A, C: section B, D: section C, E: section D, F: section E, G: re-recording section D

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Isle of Wight'

1958-1964
Handwritten note on case: Recordings made on the J11 'Farewell Special' (The Gainsborough Model Railway Society), Saturday 13th October 1962, 13/10/1962 / Location: East Midlands and East England / See information on a website about this specific trip: http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/621013gm.html

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Farewell Special, Gainsborough Model Railway Society'

1962
BBC Recording service label, Talyllyn Railway, Reel No. 1, User: PBW, 01/08/1964 ; Take 1: Dolgoch passing Rhydyronen (4.10 ex Wharf) ; Take 2: No. 4 (Edward Thomas) and No. 1 (Talyllyn) leaving Pendre ; Take 3: No. 4 (Edward Thomas) entering Abergynolwyn and running round ; Take 4: No. 4 (Edward Thomas) at Brynglas ; Take 5: No. 4 (Edward Thomas) back up from Wharf / Location: Wales

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Talyllyn Railway'

1964
Handwritten on case: Cromford + High Peak ; 7 1/2 ips, single track ; 41 ; handwritten notes crossed over [likely a re-used case] / Typed note enclosed: Band I. No. 68006 working 15 empty wagons from High Peak Junction to Cromford Bottom ; II. Wagons being hauled up Sheep-pasture incline ; III. Sheep-pasture incline gravity winding ; IV. Sheep-pasture incline stam winding ; V. No. 47007 shunting at Sheep-pasture ; VI. No. 47007 shunting at Sheep-pasture ; VII. No. 47007 shunting at Sheep-pasture ; VIII. No. 47007 running between Sheep-pasture and Black Rock ; IX. Middleton incline winding engine built by the Butterley Iron Company, 1825 ; X. No. 68079 leaving Middleton top ; XI. No. 68079 asending Hopton bank (1st take) ; XII. No. 68079 asending Hopton bank (2nd take)

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'Cromford and High Peak'

1958-1964
BBC Recording service label, SLS Special 49361 + 8 coaches full, Reel No. 2, User: PBW, 22/06/1963 ; Take 1: Walsall, Darlaston, Wednesbury ; Take 2: Walsall, Norton Junction, East ; Take 3: Cannock Junction, Hednesford, Rugby TV ; Take 4: Lichfield TV - LL - HL ; Take 5: Lichfield Town / Location: West Midlands, England

Magnetic audio tape 1/4" 'SLS Special 49361 and 8 coaches full'

1963