All Episodes

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. Produced with the full co-operation of British Rail – an unrivalled and authoritative source of reference and entertainment. Volume 1 includes features on the Rylstone branch, Warrington yard, the West coast main line, and around Carlisle area. Other topics include Manchester area and a closer look at Preston Dock, double-headed 37s at Peak Forest, the little known Deepdale branch, Trafford Park, Workington Dock, Sellafield and the Cumbrian coast. Locomotives featured include: 08s, Class 20s, 31s, 37s, 47s, 56s, 58s, 81s, 85s, 86s, and 87s. With lineside action, cab rides interviews and site visits to many private locations.

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. Produced with the full co-operation of British Rail – an unrivalled and authoritative source of reference and entertainment. As well as showing traffic on the WCML and ECML, this volume includes a close look at the Ironbridge branch, Rugeley and the Birmingham area featuring Bescot, Wednesbury and Washwood Heath. Also profiled the Nottinghamshire coal field, the Coalville line and Toton. Other topics include Mountsorrel stone trains, RMC Birmingham, British Steel Corby and Rover Longbridge. BR Locomotive types shown at work – 08s, Class 20s, 31s, 37s, 47s, 56s, 58s, 60s, 85s, 86s, 87s, plus many industrial shunters. With lineside action, cab rides interviews and site visits to many private locations.

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. An unrivalled source of reference and entertainment contrasting superb Scottish scenery with many unique industrial site visits. As well as the WCML & ECML, this volume features freight traffic on the scenic Highland lines, including Fort William, Crianlarich, Oban, Stirling, Montrose, Aberdeen and Inverness. Also a close look at fascinating site operations at British Steel Ravenscraig, and Blue Circle Cement near Dunbar. Many little used branch lines such as Auchmuty, Crombie, and Menstrie are also featured. Current Speedlink and trip workings are examined in detail, including Stranraer, Ayr, Glasgow and Edinburgh areas. Also coal traffic from the Blindwells and the Ayrshire coalfield. Other features include yard operations at Thornton and Mossend. BR Locomotive types shown at work: 08s, Class 20s, 26s, 37s, 47s, 56s, 85s, 87s, 90s, plus many industrial shunters. With plenty of lineside action , cab rides and site visits to key private user locations.

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. Produced with the full co-operation of both British Rail and many key freight users, this programme is an unrivalled source of reference and entertainment, to an area rich in railway heritage. Contrasting the scenic rural freight only branch lines to Eastgate and Redmire with Teesside, one of the largest industrial complexes in Europe. This volume features many different freight traffics including Alumina, Cement, Glue, Chemicals, Oil, Steel, Potash and Coal. Also a close look at the fascinating site operations at Murton, Boulby, Eastgate, Billingham and Lackenby. Remaining Speedlink and trip workings are also examined, as are East Coast main line movements. Traffic flows from both the Blyth and Sunderland coal fields are also examined in detail. Other features include yard operations at Teesside, and an interview with the Area Freight Manager. BR Locomotive types shown at work include: Class 08, 31, 37, 47, 56 and the newly commissioned class 60 heavy freight locos, plus many industrial shunters. With plenty of lineside action, superb snow scenes, and cab rides (including class 60) all produced to our usual unsurpassed standard.

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. Produced with the full co-operation of both British Rail and many key users, this programme is an unrivalled source of reference and entertainment. Although not a major area of heavy industry, the densely populated South East does however, see considerable and varied amounts of rail freight traffic. This video contrasts the regular flows that can be seen passing through the centre of London, with many scenic locations in the Home counties, including the little known rural freight only branch line to Akeman Street near Aylesbury, and Lydd near Dungeness. A wide variety of freight traffic flows are examined, including: Oil, Steel, Cement, Fertiliser, Aggregates, Refuse, RFD, Coal, MOD and Freightliner. Topics include: site operations at Northfleet, Sheerness Steel, Dover, and European traffic aboard the cross Channel rail ferry, even a feature shows how the capital’s rubbish is collected and disposed of! Also examined in an exclusive visit to Bicester, is the extensive MOD railway operation. Other topics include: Eastleigh, main line movements in and out of London, and a close look at Freightliners. BR Locomotive types shown at work include: Class 08, 09, 31, 33, 37, 47, 56, 58, 59, 60, 73, 85, 86, 90 plus many industrial shunters. With plenty of lineside action, cab rides and site visits to key private user locations.

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. Produced with the full co-operation of both British Rail and many key users, this programme provides an unrivalled source of reference and entertainment to one of the most attractive parts of the British Isles. Besides being a deservedly popular holiday area, the West Country also boasts some less well known, but equally appealing, rail freight operations. This DVD features in some detail, the unique china clay traffic and rural scenic locations, which dominate rail freight activities in Cornwall. Also examined, near to Frome, are site operations at the important main Merehead and Whatley quarries of Foster Yeoman and ARC. There’s also a visit to MOD Ludgershall, and Taunton cider. As well as China Clay and Aggregate traffic, other rail freight flows featured include: Cider, Oil, Fertiliser, Automotive, Freightliner, Nuclear, LPG, and Waste. Additional topics include traffic in the Bristol area and the new Tiger Rail services. BR Locomotive types shown at work include: Class 08, 37, 47, 56, 59, 60, plus industrial shunters. With plenty of lineside action, cab rides and site visits to key private user locations.

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. Produced with the full co-operation of both British Rail and many key users, this programme provides an unrivalled source of reference and entertainment to a particularly fascinating area. Renowned for steel production throughout the world, the Northern part of the ‘Eastern Counties’ are still dominated by this important basic industry. This volume takes a close look at rail freight operations on site at the giant Steel works at Scunthorpe, and on the little known nearby Flixborough branch. Also examined, are the important coal fields around Selby, and the power stations in the Aire valley. Significant trans Pennine traffic flows are observed, as well as site operations at Hope where one of the country’s largest cement works is situated. Steel traffic around the industrialised Rotherham area is contrasted with the substantial traffic flows to be found in the more rural parts of East Anglia. As well as steel and coal traffic, other rail freight flows featured include:- oil from Immingham, chemical traffic, Freightliner traffic, cement, nuclear and aggregates, petfood, and sand. BR Locomotive types shown at work include:- Class 08, 20, 31, 37, 47, 56, 58, 60, 90 plus many unique industrial shunters. With plenty of lineside action, cab rides (Class 20 and industrial) and site visits to key private user locations.

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. Produced with the full co-operation of both British Rail and many key users, this programme provides an unrivalled source of reference and entertainment to a particularly appealing region. This volume covers the most interesting freight flows in Wales, where for generations, steel and coal, have been the traditional twin mainstays of rail freight. Featuring many stunning views of rail freight action in South Wales and ‘the valleys’, there’s also a close look at oil to Aberystwyth in Central Wales, and Anglesey traffic along the picturesque branch to Amlwch. Other featured traffic flows include iron ore to Llanwern, coke at Anglesey Aluminium, Mostyn Docks, Ebbw Vale, Newport, freightliner traffic, and coal from Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. Also a site visit to British Steel Port Talbot, and Allied Steel Cardiff. As well as nuclear traffic from Valley, and coal from Cwmmawr, Penallta and Taff Merthyr. BR Locomotive types shown at work include:- Class 08, 31,37 47, 56, 60, plus many industrial shunters. Featuring class 47 and industrial cab rides, with plenty of lineside action, and site visits to key private user locations.

The Rail Freight Today series was an immediate hit when it was first launched in the late 1980's. Inevitably though an incredible amount has changed over the years and this authoritative series now provides an interesting historic comparison with today’s traffic flows and loco classes. Some remarkable changes have occurred during the short time it has taken to produce the entire first series of Rail Freight Today. While there have been a few notable gains, many freight flows have ceased. Wagon load traffic in the form of the Speedlink network has been abandoned, although several private companies have tried (and failed) to market viable Rail freight services. Scottish rail freight has been decimated, and much of the remaining MGR traffic is now at risk. These major changes plus privatisation, probably the most important change to rail freight ever announced, are examined in this programme. Shot mainly during the Summer of 1992, for the well established and popular Rail Freight Today series, it covers all the most appealing freight flows including:- Coal traffic flows from Plenmellor, Padiham, Gladstone Docks, Parkside, Longannet, Pontchymmer. Requiem for the Class 20 and 26, with action in the North West and the last remaining Class 26 freight working in Scotland. Freightconnection 1992, a review of the most interesting exhibits. Scotland, what future now for rail freight? A look at traffic flows since the closure of Ravenscraig. Freightliner services. Wagon load traffic review, including the old Speedlink services, compared with Tiger Rail, Charterail and the new RFD services, including grain on the Burghead branch in Scotland, Bulklink, Albright and Wilson, and the new block wood service to Shotton. A comparison with some interesting European traffic flows, including French and German wagon load traffic and a nostalgic look at the last steam hauled rail freight to work regularly in Eastern Germany.

Throughout the early 1980s TeleRail charted the entire rail freight operations of the UK in one of our most popular series to date - Rail Freight Today. Due to the immense changes since privatisation, these programmes have now become a part of history. The early volumes featured Speedlink operations with many historic pick up operations, as well as many flows that have long since been lost. Throughout the series it was possible to literally witness the decline of rail freight in the UK as BR set about rationalising it's freight network in preparation for privatisation. As well as some traffics, many of the locos; like the class 20s and 26s are no longer to be seen in revenue earning service and of course, all of the liveries featured are all redundant.