British team in the 1950s and 1960s is exactly what it says. British Steam in the 1950s and 1960s.
It has to be said that the music chosen is not particularly good library music and that the titles seem to be rather low quality and amateurish. The quality of the sound of the narrator is very poor, being both muddy and rather faint.
However, the programme rather redeems itself by showing uncut amateur footage form all four regions of British Rail during the 1950s and 1960s. Am I biased because the programme starts at Snow Hill Station in Birmingham, the station where my Dad used to take me every Sunday to see the trains? Yes! Of course I am!
The programme then features Clapham Junction (interesting to see a tank engine juxtaposed with a diesel electric locomotive. Whatever happened to the diesel electrics?
Other locomotives seen are the Bullied Battle of Britain class locomotive, 602 Squadron, some ex-LMS tank locomotives, are seen, moved to BR Southern region, as is the Nine Elms Engine Sheds, filmed from the window of a passing train. There's also footage of a minor derailment, just outside Waterloo Station, complete with heavy-duty rail crane helping to sort out the mess.
It was interesting to see the old Lion on the wheel British Rail logo, so much better than the weedy (and very expensive!) dual arrows which some unkind people suggested meant British rail really didn't have a clue in which direction it was going in!
The first part features footage taken at Birmingham New Street Station, the West coast Mainline and other varied and mixed locations.
Part two is a little different as it concentrates on the Midland Mainline (that's Wellingborough in the East Midlands, rather than the West Midlands) Britannia locomotives at Liverpool Street Station, London, plus lots more, including freight only steam locomotives.
I can recommend this DVD if you are a really serious steam nut. But it is let down by the production. I know that the source material used was amateur cinifilm footage, but I fear that this situation was marred by the way the material was transferred to video/DVD and the very amateurish sound quality which really doesn't enhance the enjoyment. Still, turning the sound down on the DVD player, putting a CD of your favourite music on and drinking a few bottles of something nice will perhaps help negate those niggles!
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