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Photographs, Manuals and Brochures for GEC Electric Locomotives

941 boxes, 458 drawing folders, 37 drawers

GEC Traction Archive

A large number of brochures produced by AEI Ltd, AEI Traction, GEC Ltd, GEC Traction Ltd, GEC Diesels Ltd, Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co. Ltd, English Electric Co., English Electric-AEI Traction Ltd., Ruston Paxman and MetroTec relating to railway locomotives, mainly diesel-electric locomotives; articles from the Railway Gazette, and Engineering. Included in the series of printed material is a report from the Traction projects department which investigated Trolleybus Data and includes data and reports on various makes of electric vehicle looked at in June, 1945. Customers covered by the brochures include British Railways, New Zealand Government Railways, Bolivian Government Railways, Western Railway (India), Central Railway of Brazil, New South Wales Government Railways, Pakistan Western Railway, Malayan Railways, and Ghana Railway and Ports.

Trade literature for GEC Traction Ltd and Predecessor Companies

1 box, 5 volumes, 4 files

Order books

6 boxes, 4 files

Quality standards

3 16mm film prints (foreign languages versions)

Film - The Locomotive Builders

45 boxes, 1 bundle and 4 files

Administration records

26 boxes

Files

37 boxes, 1 volume

Spare parts catalogues

3 folders, 1 book

Diagram books

17 boxes, 6 volumes

Test specifications

60 boxes

Tenders and specifications

5 boxes

Films

40 boxes, 33 drawers

Microfiche

84 boxes

Manuals

4 16mm film prints (including foreign language versions)

Film - GEC Traction

10 mins 30 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - Eurostar: The Way Ahead

21 mins 30 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - GEC Centenary

4 mins video on 1 Betacam SP tape

Film - Eurostar Trials

Corporate film produced for GEC Transportation Projects Limited by Anvil Film and Recording Group Limited, directed by David Stevens. The film addresses British and foreign clients and offers an insight into the teams behind GEC TPL. The film is presented by actor Clifford Earl, who visits GEC TPL headquarters in St Albans and meets with a series of GEC managers and employees who go through their jobs and responsibilities in the making of modern electric railways. The film starts with shots introducing presenter Clifford Earl getting off British Rail Inter-City Class 87 87034 William Shakespeare at a station. Clifford Earl is filmed in GEC TPL St Albans offices where he meets with a GEC TPL representative. This last introduces GEC TPL and the different disciplines behind it: power supplies, substations, overhead catenaries, rolling stocks, signalling, controls and telecommunications which are produced and supplied by companies within the GEC Group. Following Clifford Earl, the film focuses on the human side of GEC TPL and how each discipline and employee roles are tied together to bring up modern railway projects to life for their clients. Using footage taken of the different sites, close up shots of workers and shots of talk with employees, the film go through the different aspects of building a modern electric railway. The activities represented include a project group in a meeting, engineers conducting survey on site, employees operating computers for calculation and power study. Shots present the project engineering offices at St Albans. Further footage taken on British Rail illustrates construction work coordinated by GEC TPL: track laying; catenaries, overhead lines and pantographs construction and tests. Images are taken of an operating control centre on British Rail. Clifford Earl goes on various sites and meets with representatives of various companies of the GEC Group. His visits are filmed at GEC High Voltage Switch Gear Limited factory located in Trafalgar Park in Manchester, GEC Traction offices, including the computer aided design centre and the electronics control lab. Also in Stafford, where are presented GEC Power Transformers and GEC Rectifiers roles. Footage then introduces GEC Development section and engineers researching new methods of propulsions. Additional companies of the group are filmed: GEC General Signal Limited, GEC Telecommunication Limited and GEC Research Centre where research and development is undergone for fibre optic cables. GEC TPL presents in this film the people in the GEC group they entrust to carry on the modernisation and electrification projects clients would commission them to build and coordinate. The end credits acknowledge the following companies for their help in the making of the film: The GEC Group of companies, Balfour Beatty Power Construction Ltd, British Rail, British Transport Films, Costain Concrete Co. Ltd, Grant Lyon Eagre Ltd, Hylton Warner, London Transport Executive, and the Railways of Brazil, India, New-Zealand, South Africa, Spain and Taiwan

Film - It's Experience that Counts

11 mins 35 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - Safe Journey! A Report on the Proposed Riverside Guided-Bus System

Corporate film produced by the film division of English Electric for English Electric Traction, in Stafford. Spanish version of the film (title, commentary, captions and credits: all in Spanish). The film presents English Electric services and targets foreign clients. It details how locomotive construction projects are conducted, from the analysis of the local site to conveyance of the finished product and customer service. The film commentary is told by a traction engineer. The film starts with shots of diesel locomotive Class 55, Deltic D9021 ‘Argyll & Sutherland Highlander’, in green livery in station. Passengers are getting on board of carriages, guard and porters are seen on the platform, the train is filmed leaving the station. The following shots show the landscape from the moving train, the rails as well as inside carriage views. The train passes one of the English Electric buildings alongside the tracks. The commentary expresses the superiority of diesel and electric power to steam and lists the manufacturing covered by English Electric, from locomotive, power station to the household washing machine. This is accompanied with footage of locomotive frame at Vulcan foundry in Newton-le-Willow and footage of traction engineer office. A brief history of the company is also given. A map is featured with the location of its 24 factory sites in the United Kingdom and mention is made of the other six overseas locations. This also includes footage of a scrap yard and a steam locomotive being dismantled, trackside shots of electric and diesel locomotives, shots taken at Clapham Junction station and a train on a viaduct (possibly Meldon viaduct). Following the introduction, the film details the electric and diesel locomotives on offer and how English Electric proceeds with an order from foreign railways. Footage illustrates how an English Electric expert team goes on site in the foreign country to analyse the feasibility and needs of the specific site and prepare a report. The report is evaluated in the United Kingdom by engineers who prepare a project to submit to the client according to the site analysis. The project submitted is enhanced with numerous drawings of locomotive and parts. A standard contract can use up to 5000 drawings. The footage shows engineer drawing office. The manufacture of the locomotive and its parts is documented with many shots of the various stages of the process, close up shots of the machines and workers and large views at Preston works and the Vulcan factory. Footage also features the tests made in the factory and the first run on the special test tracks of the Vulcan factory with adjustable gauge. The locomotive filmed is prepared for delivery to the East African Railways and Harbours, the camera follows it being transported on road and lifted onto the ship to travel by sea. Once delivered, on a first order, English Electric ensures a team of British engineers is accompanying the locomotive on site to help the client bring the locomotive in service. Footage shows English Electric engineers explaining maintenance required and how to operate and drive the new locomotive to the East African railwaymen. A shot shows the new locomotive in its red livery passing an Equator sign on the trackside. A series of footage then illustrates how English Electric serves clients worldwide, featuring English Electric made locomotives in New-Zealand (freight train), Malaysia (passenger train), Sudan (freight train in the desert) , Australia (passenger train), Spain (coal and iron-ore train in the mountains), India (overcrowded passenger train) and in the United Kingdom. The film ends by reminding the history of the English Electric company and its importance in electric traction and rail transport history. The opening credits include a mention of English Electric acknowledging the following companies for their help in the making of the film: British Railways, Central Electricity Generating Board, Science Museum London, Indian Railways, Malaysian Railways, New-Zealand Railways, Queensland Railways in Australia, Spanish Railways, Sudan Railways, and East African Railways and Harbours for their special cooperation.

Film - Los Constructores de Locomotoras

11 mins 15 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - At Your Service

Corporate film produced by the film division of English Electric for English Electric Traction, in Stafford. French version of the film (title, commentary, captions and credits: all in French). The film presents English Electric services and targets foreign clients. It details how locomotive construction projects are conducted, from the analysis of the local site to conveyance of the finished product and customer service. The film commentary is told by a traction engineer. The film starts with shots of diesel locomotive Class 55, Deltic D9021 ‘Argyll & Sutherland Highlander’, in green livery in station. Passengers are getting on board of carriages, guard and porters are seen on the platform, the train is filmed leaving the station. The following shots show the landscape from the moving train, the rails as well as inside carriage views. The train passes one of the English Electric buildings alongside the tracks. The commentary expresses the superiority of diesel and electric power to steam and lists the manufacturing covered by English Electric, from locomotive, power station to the household washing machine. This is accompanied with footage of locomotive frame at Vulcan foundry in Newton-le-Willow and footage of traction engineer office. A brief history of the company is also given. A map is featured with the location of its 24 factory sites in the United Kingdom and mention is made of the other six overseas locations. This also includes footage of a scrap yard and a steam locomotive being dismantled, trackside shots of electric and diesel locomotives, shots taken at Clapham Junction station and a train on a viaduct (possibly Meldon viaduct). Following the introduction, the film details the electric and diesel locomotives on offer and how English Electric proceeds with an order from foreign railways. Footage illustrates how an English Electric expert team goes on site in the foreign country to analyse the feasibility and needs of the specific site and prepare a report. The report is evaluated in the United Kingdom by engineers who prepare a project to submit to the client according to the site analysis. The project submitted is enhanced with numerous drawings of locomotive and parts. A standard contract can use up to 5000 drawings. The footage shows engineer drawing office. The manufacture of the locomotive and its parts is documented with many shots of the various stages of the process, close up shots of the machines and workers and large views at Preston works and the Vulcan factory. Footage also features the tests made in the factory and the first run on the special test tracks of the Vulcan factory with adjustable gauge. The locomotive filmed is prepared for delivery to the East African Railways and Harbours, the camera follows it being transported on road and lifted onto the ship to travel by sea. Once delivered, on a first order, English Electric ensures a team of British engineers is accompanying the locomotive on site to help the client bring the locomotive in service. Footage shows English Electric engineers explaining maintenance required and how to operate and drive the new locomotive to the East African railwaymen. A shot shows the new locomotive in its red livery passing an Equator sign on the trackside. A series of footage then illustrates how English Electric serves clients worldwide, featuring English Electric made locomotives in New-Zealand (freight train), Malaysia (passenger train), Sudan (freight train in the desert) , Australia (passenger train), Spain (coal and iron-ore train in the mountains), India (overcrowded passenger train) and in the United Kingdom. The film ends by reminding the history of the English Electric company and its importance in electric traction and rail transport history. The opening credits include a mention of English Electric acknowledging the following companies for their help in the making of the film: British Railways, Central Electricity Generating Board, Science Museum London, Indian Railways, Malaysian Railways, New-Zealand Railways, Queensland Railways in Australia, Spanish Railways, Sudan Railways, and East African Railways and Harbours for their special cooperation.

Film - Les Constructeurs de Locomotives

Research footage taken by British Railway Research for GEC Traction Limited. Silent footage (unedited rushes) of tests made in Hornsey between 1977 and 1979 on coupler, autocoupler. Each test is shot starting with an handwritten sign precising the test number, the location and the date.

Footage of autocoupler test

41 mins 15 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - Building of MTRC Cars in Hong Kong

21 mins 20 seconds video on VHS cassette (2 copies)

Film - The London Docklands Light Railway

11 mins 15 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - 515.3

4 mins 35 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Footage of Metropolitan Transit trains in Melbourne, Australia

Corporate film produced for GEC Transportation Projects Limited by Anvil Film and Recording Group Limited, directed by Peter Hopkinson. Brazilian Portuguese version for Brazil. 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

Film - Railways for the World

Corporate film produced for GEC Transportation Projects Limited by Anvil Film and Recording Group Limited, directed by Peter Hopkinson. 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

Film - Railways for the World

Commercial corporate film produced for GEC Traction by Barker Taylor Sharp (BTS, Leeds and Manchester), created by Chetwynd Advertising Manchester and directed by Jeff Grant. Spanish version for Latin America (title, commentary, captions and credits: all in Spanish) The film presents the services offered by GEC Traction to potential customers, the large range of products and equipments supplied, example of undergoing projects, and training offers for customers to learn how to use and maintain the products acquired. The film includes footage of GEC workshops and foreign electric railways (MTRC Hong Kong, Spain, New-Zealand, Canada, South Africa, etc.) The film was made with the assistance of: British Railways Board, British Steel, Indian Railways, New-Zealand Government Railways, RENFE (Spain), Sudan Railways, Tyne and Wear Metro, and Union Carriage and Wagon.

Film - GEC Traction

11 mins video on 1 VHS cassette

Footage of the building of London Underground 1996 stock on Metro-Cammell workshops

17 mins 55 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - Maglev

10 mins 25 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - Working Together

18 mins video on 1 VHS cassette

Film - GEC Power Engineering: Is Anyone Going to Change?

27 mins video on 1 VHS cassette

Footage of stocks of the London underground Jubilee and Northern lines and CAD-CAM designs

3 bundles

GEC Traction Limited card indexes

Corporate film produced by the film division of English Electric for English Electric Traction, in Stafford. Chinese (Mandarin) version of the film (title, commentary, captions and credits: all in Chinese). The film presents English Electric services and targets foreign clients. It details how locomotive construction projects are conducted, from the analysis of the local site to conveyance of the finished product and customer service. The film commentary is told by a traction engineer. The film starts with shots of diesel locomotive Class 55, Deltic D9021 ‘Argyll & Sutherland Highlander’, in green livery in station. Passengers are getting on board of carriages, guard and porters are seen on the platform, the train is filmed leaving the station. The following shots show the landscape from the moving train, the rails as well as inside carriage views. The train passes one of the English Electric buildings alongside the tracks. The commentary expresses the superiority of diesel and electric power to steam and lists the manufacturing covered by English Electric, from locomotive, power station to the household washing machine. This is accompanied with footage of locomotive frame at Vulcan foundry in Newton-le-Willow and footage of traction engineer office. A brief history of the company is also given. A map is featured with the location of its 24 factory sites in the United Kingdom and mention is made of the other six overseas locations. This also includes footage of a scrap yard and a steam locomotive being dismantled, trackside shots of electric and diesel locomotives, shots taken at Clapham Junction station and a train on a viaduct (possibly Meldon viaduct). Following the introduction, the film details the electric and diesel locomotives on offer and how English Electric proceeds with an order from foreign railways. Footage illustrates how an English Electric expert team goes on site in the foreign country to analyse the feasibility and needs of the specific site and prepare a report. The report is evaluated in the United Kingdom by engineers who prepare a project to submit to the client according to the site analysis. The project submitted is enhanced with numerous drawings of locomotive and parts. A standard contract can use up to 5000 drawings. The footage shows engineer drawing office. The manufacture of the locomotive and its parts is documented with many shots of the various stages of the process, close up shots of the machines and workers and large views at Preston works and the Vulcan factory. Footage also features the tests made in the factory and the first run on the special test tracks of the Vulcan factory with adjustable gauge. The locomotive filmed is prepared for delivery to the East African Railways and Harbours, the camera follows it being transported on road and lifted onto the ship to travel by sea. Once delivered, on a first order, English Electric ensures a team of British engineers is accompanying the locomotive on site to help the client bring the locomotive in service. Footage shows English Electric engineers explaining maintenance required and how to operate and drive the new locomotive to the East African railwaymen. A shot shows the new locomotive in its red livery passing an Equator sign on the trackside. A series of footage then illustrates how English Electric serves clients worldwide, featuring English Electric made locomotives in New-Zealand (freight train), Malaysia (passenger train), Sudan (freight train in the desert) , Australia (passenger train), Spain (coal and iron-ore train in the mountains), India (overcrowded passenger train) and in the United Kingdom. The film ends by reminding the history of the English Electric company and its importance in electric traction and rail transport history. The opening credits include a mention of English Electric acknowledging the following companies for their help in the making of the film: British Railways, Central Electricity Generating Board, Science Museum London, Indian Railways, Malaysian Railways, New-Zealand Railways, Queensland Railways in Australia, Spanish Railways, Sudan Railways, and East African Railways and Harbours for their special cooperation.

Film - The Locomotive Builders

Corporate film produced for GEC Traction and Signal (Pty) Ltd, co-produced by SABI productions and Group Editors. The film presents GEC Traction and Signal (Pty) Ltd., as the leader manufacturer and supplier for electric traction equipment in South Africa since the invention of the electric train. The company has been the supplier for South African Railways for more than 50 years. It supplies and manufactures traction equipment for locomotives, motor coaches (suburban railways) and provides signalling engineering services. The film starts with a selection of still images (drawings, paintings) of early steam locomotives. Most footage was shot on the company’s work site near Johannesburg, showing employees and machines at work manufacturing electrical traction equipment. The various phases of manufacturing are filmed: winding, welding, testing. Further shots show the completed equipment leaving the works for Union Carriage & Wagon, based in Nigel, to be fitted on locomotive bogies. Some footage also illustrates the company’s signalling services and shots were taken of the centralised traffic control system based in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. There are also images of South African electric locomotives and motor coaches running on the lines.

Film - GEC Traction South Africa

14 mins 55 seconds video on 1 VHS cassette

Footage of Networker's motor water immersion test

1 roll

Axle box guide casting drawings

1 roll

Bogie co-co drawings for South Africa 7E class

1 roll

0-6-0 locomotive mechanical details

1 roll

Conduits and cables, cleats and brackets drawings

1 roll

Pakistan Eastern Railway diesel electric locomotive

1 roll

British Steel Corporation diesel electric steel work shunter outlines and general arrangements

1 roll

Layout of GEC Traction offices, and electrical equipment details

1 roll

Electrical parts drawings for industrial overseas locomotives

1 roll

Underframe details