Steam on the Grade

One of the finest sights of all is that of a steam locomotive working a heavy train up a steep grandient. This programme brings the challenge to life by using archive film from the 1960's, showing some of the Country's best known gradients.

Starting with the Cromford & High Peak railwy and the remarkable railway crossing of the high moors of Derbyshire, we witness J94s working on both freight and special trains, including scenes of the 1 in 14 Hopton incline.

We then move onto the famout Lickey incline to see Ex LMS, GWR & BR Standard locos attacking the grade during the 1960s. A brief loot at Gresford Bank on the former GWR from Wrexham to Chester follows with Ex GWR and BR Stantards working on heavy freights on the grades to Brymbo.

This film wouldn't be complete without Shap. A wide variety of classes are featured on the legendary 1 in 75, including 'Duchesses' and 9fs on both freight and passenger.

We conclude with film of the 'Long Drag' and 'Ais Gill' on the spectacular Settle and Carlisle during the last days of steam.

PLUS A BONUS PROGRAMME
Main Line Steam on the Grade in the preservation era - scenes throughout the network and on the Devon Banks

60 mins approx plus bonus footage