The Rail Way

Made by Film Australia 1979. Directed by Greg Reading. A wide-ranging look at Australian railways - from the city underground to the railway of the remote outback. We see the six locomotive coal giants of central Queensland and the picturesque Normanton-Croydon rail car, epic journeys of the transcontinental Indian Pacific and a half-day vintage steam train excursion. The film is introduced and narrated by Patsy Adam-Smith, well known for her many books on Australian railways.

[@masteryoda498]

Excellent documentary on Australia’s rail network, I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@itchyvet]

Ah, the nostalgia. Nice video, but sadly does not show any video interviews of the workers themselves particularly the drivers. As a retired driver myself, I can attest it's not all nostalgia. For example, drivers rarely worked normal hours. We worked when people were asleep in their beds, then tried to sleep in the day, which was bloody difficult. Anti social too, cause we couldn't simply drop everything and go to a relatives party or christening, stuff like that. Difficult too, to arrange holidays with friends. Definately required a special breed. Today, with privatisation it's become far far worse with 12 hour shifts being the norm.

[@HeavyHaulagePilbara]

Damn mate your showing your age old man.

[@thegeforce6625]

Unfortunately 12 hour shifts seems to becoming the norm in a lot of industries, especially here since a lot of Australia’s local manufacturing business is going international.

[@scottlang7271]

Thank you for pointing that out. I had wondered, because I saw this clip (kzbin.info/www/bejne/epKYeqiCbsx1fcU), and they appeared to have worked from sunup until after dark. I'd have thought that the unions would have ensured a change of crew somewhere along the way...

[@comradeathiest9873]

I had this on VHS when I was a little kid, I was obsessed with trains and still interested. I watched this doco till the VHS tape wore out and thought I'd never see it again so I was very happy to see I can now share it with my lil boy who now loves trains as much as I did :-D

[@NFSAFilms]

Fantastic. You both need to look at our On The Rails playlist then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6ape6ZjrdSHg68

[@comradeathiest9873]

Thanks, I'm sure he'll love it.

[@Notconceitedjustbetterthanyou]

Likewise. Never thought I’d find it again after doing a clean out of VHS tapes. So glad it’s on KZbin.

[@AllRound_GG]

I had it too on a VHS called "GREAT AUSTRALIAN TRAINS".

[@antronlouquis]

I still have it on VHS 😃

[@deklanwhelan9328]

my great great aunt is Patsy Adam-Smith thats not even a lie lol

[@ThebusofdoomFSX]

What a fantastic little film. I remember watching this plus a number of similar railway films when I was young which helped foster my interest in railway transportation. It's fascinating to watch this and realise how much has changed since 1979. You see the City Loop and the Eastern Suburbs line under construction, you see the old Specer Street station before it was completely rebuilt and renamed Southern Cross, and you see the Hitachi EMU which was only officially withdrawn from service earlier this year. At the same time it's also facinating to watch this and realise what hasn't changed. The S & V set EMU's are still running, the train between Normanton and Croydon still runs on a weekly basis as the 'Gulflander' and K153 still operates various heritage trains throughout Victoria. I love the last clips with her powering out of Spencer Street and through Jolimont Yards paralelling the Hitachi, gives me goosebumps just watching it.

[@NFSAFilms]

Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed the film. If you haven't already, have a look at our On The Rails playlist for more trains and tracks. kzbin.info/aero/PL30B498C5DE275129

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

I got the chance to ride on the little Normanton - Croydon train a few years ago.....it was an experience I will never forget....loved it.. I think it's still operational.

[@hughmcinally907]

Sixty two years old, but the sight, sound or smell of a steam train still gives me a thrill. Patsy says 'you can't go back', but for those who remember them, they can take you back for a few moments at least.

[@benkirkby1931]

I love the symbolism of the final shot. the past and the present alongside one another, and the way the music swells just completes it.

[@willygoat9390]

You can tell Patsy is giddy giddy when she explains the "one mand band" from Normantown to Croydon

[@bigal4919]

what a gem,saw this years ago, if anyone gets the chance ti read patsy Adam-Smiths's "When We Rode the Rails" do it great reading that comes with a tear and a good old belly laugh.

[@raymondwelsh6028]

Patsy Adam Smith RIP, wouldn’t rest sound in her grave if she knew that all successive government are doing all they can to close much of the country railway lines. Great to see the film again. She was one of a kind.

[@internezzo]

LOL the middle-aged guy at 19:30 is reading "Fear of Flying" by Erica de Jong - what a subversive little touch that was!

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

lol.

[@thegeforce6625]

Just watched this for the first time in what feels like 13-15 years. Owned a copy on VHS. What a nostalgia trip and a half. Was crying pretty much the whole time. Thank you so much for uploading.

[@NFSAFilms]

Tears of joy we hope. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@thegeforce6625]

NFSA Films yup.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

yeah this is gold. good on you. thanks very much.

[@thegeforce6625]

@C Yes, it may sound like that, but it was a purely nostalgic crying, brought me straight back to my childhood, when growing up was only but a incredibly exciting future. Nowadays, I feel like I’m a shadow of who I was then etc, hence the emotional response.

[@JohnStokes-c1o]

We had a copy of this on VHS too. Was always a favourite of mine. Best wishes from the UK. 🇬🇧👍🇦🇺😊

[@goingforadds]

As a former network controller - it's interesting to see the old control boards. We've come a long way now - but still depend upon the same methods of control and graphing - damn that paper graph lol

[@itchyvet]

No reflective clothing, no hard hats, Ah, the old days.

[@lachlangreen8389]

Concrete sleepers way back then.. wow 👌

[@emd645e3c]

The Hoga-phone even made it in at 22:10 . Thanks for posting.

[@rafidhiyaulhaq1107]

6:25 Does anybody know what type of engine this whistle sound came from? i'd be very greatful if someone is able to answer my question, thanks.

[@danrobinson572]

Great video. This shows the real working men and women. Boy those were the days.

[@CUSTOMCB80]

In case you dident notice there is the original blue goose v set in this video

[@Mattdog45]

Cool documentary, watching in the USA

[@stephenmeek520]

Brilliant film I was on the Indian Pacific 1978 Perth-Melbourne

[@brendanwilliams7291]

Great stuff, love this film. Nice to see that the railways still play a major part in keeping passengers and freight always on the move.

[@paulcullen4365]

loved every minute...thank you

[@timthewarlord2304]

a my childhood

[@pencet_]

6:24

[@dpd6401]

Funny how the rail track workers in the 70s didn’t wear a uniform or safety gear.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Funny how mate?

[@dpd6401]

@@peternagy-im4be because they do now

[@johnsergei]

@@dpd6401 FF from then to today, they'd think we look like oranges.

[@toast_ee]

Gosh I hope this gets a 4K scan soon, such a great snapshot of that era in Australia

[@NFSAFilms]

We have good 35mm components so we'll put it on the list. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@cheers369]

Adelaide 9:08- 9:22 man things have changed lol not really

[@shrimp89ify]

Der Schienenbus fährt weiter jede Woche, am Mittwoch nach Croydon und Donnerstags zurück nach Normanton. Seit Mitte der 80er Jahre wird ein etwas modernerer Schienbus eingesetzt.

[@michaelXXLF]

11:55 a young Charley Honey!

[@robertlewis7237]

THANK YOU FOR VIDEO

[@operationskypebbles8583]

God I miss those red rattlers. This documentary is a National Treasure. Thank you for the sweet memories.

[@jkkay477]

Just watched this at the QVMAG Museum in Launceston and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for posting it!

[@NFSAFilms]

The film was released in 1979.

[@TravisPlaysYT]

What is the name of the music right at the start?

[@NFSAFilms]

Most of the music used in this film was composed by Roy Ritchie, an Australian composer, specifically for this film.

[@davegoldspink5354]

Brilliant film as always thanks so much for sharing.

[@NFSAFilms]

Our pleasure!

[@AllRound_GG]

09:23 - 10:53 Those trains still operating around Sydney.

[@zonavarbondagoo4074]

Since the 1980's so much has changed in the industry.

[@wsad8you]

@cheers369 that's funny i didnt even recognize it or the trains, obviously it has changed a lot but those old Sydney trains are still around

[@TravvyG]

Back then i bet they couldn't imagine Trains topping the speeds they do today specially the ones in Europe and Asia

[@ChinaAl]

What's the name of that song at 12:48 Please! I love it. Would like to find more of this type of Australian music.

[@NFSAFilms]

Hi thanks for you question regarding some of the music used in this film. That particular piece was composed by Roy Ritchie, an Australian composer, specifically for this film. I don't think it would be available elsewhere. It does not have a title as such as it was just one of many pieces written for the The Rail Way score. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ChinaAl]

NFSA Films Thanks, yes I really enjoyed it. Darn about the music though it was a real catchy, foot-tappin' tune.

[@Ischaue]

Der Schienenbus ist einfach herrlich! Gibt es wohl nicht mehr?

[@iheartgoogle]

21:40

[@AllRound_GG]

When was this released?

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

1979 same year as empire strikes back

[@Shitphototaker69]

9:40 possibly the only film of a MK1 DDIU train prototype to the V sets