1956: The END OF THE LINE? BBC Documentary on future of NI railways

[Flying Snail]

Recently I've been getting some suggestions in my Youtube feed from the BBC Archive. This documentary from 1956 looks at the problems facing NI railways. Could ,or indeed should, anything be done to save the railways?

We all the know what the answer ultimately was ... but this is a fascinating look at how the issue was presented at the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjEgPbUGTQ

Even more fascinating for someone whose parents were just toddlers in 1956, this video also shows in detail how trains and buses operated in the 1950s  - have a look from 10:32 for all that goes into a journey.

Edited February 9 by Flying Snail

[Flying Snail]

There some interesting footage of SLNCR cattle trains at 18:30 in the video also

And  the Enterprise (AEC railcars) at 22.30

Edited February 9 by Flying Snail

[Galteemore]

also a lovely - and rare - segment of a QL class at work 

[Patrick Davey]

So much of interest in this one - shots of the disused BCDR Tullymurry station and one of the Derry-Strabane NG stations (Cullion I think) as well as a nice sequence at Trew & Moy with a young soldier presumably coming home on leave.  Pure gold!

[Mol_PMB]

Around 3:45, some interesting footage of container traffic by road.

12:50, shunting and the MaK, followed by how not to load a wagon with sacks.

15:30, great view of the bread containers being loaded with loaves.

Of particular interest to me building a layout based on a flour mill is to see how the sacks of grain, flour and meal were handled.

Later on, fascinating to see the detailed footage of the MEDs in use.

Interior shots of the meal and drinks service on the Enterprise - priceless! I hope the RPSI will match that at the end of Feb!

25:00 onwards, give those gangers some gloves!

 

Overall, a wonderful view of a bygone age. Thank you!

[Galteemore]

14 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said:

So much of interest in this one - shots of the disused BCDR Tullymurry station and one of the Derry-Strabane NG stations (Cullion I think) as well as a nice sequence at Trew & Moy with a young soldier presumably coming home on leave.  Pure gold!

Yes. Royal Irish Fusilier. Unarmed and alone. Clearly before the IRAs 1956 campaign kicked off !

[jhb171achill]

On 9/2/2026 at 4:50 PM, Flying Snail said:

 

Even more fascinating for someone whose parents were just toddlers in 1956, this video also shows in detail how trains and buses operated in the 1950s  - have a look from 10:32 for all that goes into a journey.

I count myself very lucky that my very earliest railway memories just about date back to the tail end of that “traditional” era - bells and clanking levers in signal cabins, the last few steam engines, old wooden carriages with compartments, etc etc… shunting of loose-coupled goods vans in rural stations, old fashioned ticket offices and creosote smell off newly replaced sleepers in warm summer days….

And NO graffiti ANYWHERE.

[16miller]

It's full of good images for the modeller, that's the only good thing to say about it. I'm sure any motorist now who's stuck in bad traffic in a town that had its railway removed is not quite in agreement with the 'car is the future' idea. 

[Branchline121]

Somewhat old but a shot of an NCC Mogul is at the beginning of this video. 

 

[leslie10646]

@airfixfan will not be pleased that you missed the CDRJC train at 1min 50-ish.

Lovely film - everyone who likes British steam should take three minutes to watch it!

PS Thanks for spotting it!

Edited March 5 by leslie10646

[airfixfan]

Will watch now and thanks