Vintage railway film - Second Nature - 1967

This vintage railway film, produced by British Transport Films in 1967, deals with electrification and how the raiIway men of Rugby adopt new methods and use new machines. In this film they tell in their own words of the great technological changes and the human problems of adapting which each has to face.

[@pinza0079]

Great film and a rare early glimpse of Austin Powers as a tea boy before he became an international man of mystery!

[@roypalfrey5694]

Back in the '60s Dr. Evil went under the name of Beeching.

[@novakingood3788]

@@roypalfrey5694 Beeching was just Mini Me. The real Dr Evil was Ernest (Blofeld?)Marples.

[@novakingood3788]

@Caravaggio That's good coming from someone who killed a man in a brawl and had to flee to Naples!

[@robertwilloughby8050]

He also appears in the film on the introduction of TOPS... He's a tad more senior in that one.....😉

[@TrysilBoy]

I watched this based on this comment alone 😂

[@soundseeker63]

Most of that electrification equipment is still serving the WCML 50+ years later! ...admittely refurbished and updated a bit since then, but you'd still recognise it. The class 86s (AL6s as they were when this was filmed) were also still in regular service (on freight) until a few years ago. Truly flexible, durable and versatile machines that paid for themselves many times over. For all the jokes and public dislike toward BR, they did, sometimes, get it right!

[@moshihus]

Suits, egos, hierarchy and those amazing haircuts......brilliant!!

[@Ass_Burgers_Syndrome]

16:10 I love how he takes a piece of gum and gives the other guy the empty wrapper back lol

[@Rob1Rich]

So passive aggressive ;-)

[@TheScotsalan]

I was born about this time, and as a kid a few years later, I remember gum wrappers were printed with instructions to bin it. I suspect the tidy britain campaign was started by the time of this film 👍.

[@danielsellers8707]

@@TheScotsalan Started in the 1950s!

[@1171karl]

That music sounds like it should be in a horror movie, I was half expecting workers to meet grisly ends on overhead wires or get hit by trains!

[@Rich-bb5gp]

Well, it is a horror movie... if you're a crow!

[@eekamoose]

2:07 Richard Sell, research engineer, gets out of his Vauxhall Viva Mk 1. (HA). That's quite a humble car for a man with his position. But then again he does smoke a pipe so his status is intact.

[@kevinenticott2206]

Excellent, and so nice to see views of Rugby station and surrounding areas back in 1967 too, thanks 👍

[@BazNapper]

Loved driving AL6s/86s. Thankfully, two still operate regularly here and even better, the Eastern Europeans recognised a bargain when they became available for use there.

[@nemo6686]

It's like Hitchcock meets rail modernisation.

[@Pjs75]

Excellent. An echo from an earlier time.

[@stephendines1936]

When we had a proper railway

[@lufbrex6474]

Health and safety would have a field day these days seeing the 2 gangers working on those wooden ladders 🤣 loved the video 😀

[@bridgerectifier7711]

Thanks again for a great upload. I love these old films and especially as I used to be a driver, the class 86 was my favorite. Great days.

[@arthurrytis6010]

Bridge Rectifyer. Surely you must have preferred the 87s. I did

[@bridgerectifier7711]

@@arthurrytis6010 - As I recall, the 87 and the 90 drove very much the same and were easy to drive, but the 86 required more handwork tapping up and running down between neutral sections etc. Slower than the 87, but you had very fine control for slow movements and shunting.

[@arthurrytis6010]

@@bridgerectifier7711 if you were a driver you would know that a Class 87 was a tap changer loco similar to the 86 ?!

[@arthurrytis6010]

Also, as far as I know there was only one 87 fitted with Thyristor control as per 90

[@bridgerectifier7711]

@@arthurrytis6010 Yes it was 87001. We had it sided at Norwich & Ipswich for a while. During the Summer of 2000, we had four 86's fail on us and were borrowing loco's from everywhere. I must confess, you have clearly shown my ignorance on the subject of the 87. I worked for Anglia (Norwich) then GNER (Leeds) from 1998 to 2005.

[@Wheels-Wheels-Wheels]

Love these old British Transport Films. Thanks for posting them.

[@alwynjones3378]

Fascinating. Also such diversity of accents. Really enjoyed that.

[@stephenrice4554]

These old films are a great source of knowledge, systems , attitudes , uniform and elf and fairies . When I started on the tracks it was a yellow vest over blue overalls boots and a flat hat . Everyone for everyone else, kept us safe . Great video 👍🇬🇧 . Nice of the rooks to help .

[@alexanderbartell208]

The irony is that those Rooks have probably been nesting in those same trees long before the overhead wires came along.

[@brianfearn4246]

Very interesting indeed how smooth things seemed to operate on the railway over 50 years ago.

[@kiwitrainguy]

Tea was the lubricant.

[@DoggMa]

You'd have to drag this out of the average bloke, but if you got to the heart of it you would find that he does live railway, hes got to live railways. He gives to his job all he has. That is a fine sentiment that is lacking these days.

[@richmanwisco]

I dare you to say that to a railway employee today. And I want to be there when you do.

[@billpugh58]

You arrogant person. So the young people working on the railways today aren’t proud of what they do? You are unbelievable. Hope the oldies in your day said that about you…….

[@DoggMa]

@@richmanwisco Hi Rich i have and do say that to my work colleagues , and yes for the most part we all care and love our railway. but there is a percentage of people that dont give two hoots, put more effort into getting out of doing any work or are just there to get as far up the ladder as possible. its a fact and it exists not just in the railway either but pretty much every big company. but the average bloke like it says and like the old railway boy in the video said. live railway Eat railway and shit railway.

[@DoggMa]

@@billpugh58 Bill, who said anything about young people? the only thing that i find unbelievable is your lack of engaging brain before allowing your fingers to run wild over a keyboard. if you want to talk and discuss anything that is totally fine. but to just arrogantly assume something and then issuing an insult to me without chance of discussion makes you a troll my friend. have a blessed day.

[@djtrainspotter3079]

Top notch documentary right there!

[@kimjongbingbongtingtong4430]

Grew up around where this was filmed and even remember being scared by the PW horn going off at 2:46 because we used to sit on the embankment in the background on Sunday afternoons having a picnic when the weather allowed it. Still spend many happy hours in this part of the world, walking for fitness and hoping something a bit more interesting than a unit or intermodal might be going past

[@ianjones4116]

It was called a PeeWee, if I remember correctly.

[@kimjongbingbongtingtong4430]

@@ianjones4116 Or a Cuckoo call???

[@RobertdMacGregor]

The signaler with the IC Swallow tattooed on his hand at the start is dedicated!

[@ruane1995]

Before IC Swallow existed ;)

[@western-oud1898]

Marvelous...1960's 70's documentary film making had a certain atmospheric feeling to them didn't they..they just dont make programming like that anymore

[@eddherring4972]

3:53 now there’s an expression to fill you with confidence! “Don’t panic Mr Mainwaring.”

[@MrDavil43]

There were definite echoes of the military there in terms of "officers" and "men". The chap demonstrating the springy insulator was hilarious with his smug manner. So interesting to see the changes in technology and attitudes compared with today. And the liberally applied Brylcreem!

[@ianjones4116]

My dad could lube a Sulzer with his Brylcream lol. 44yr man was my dad. Loved it when he took me out in the cab. Couldnt do it these days . They would crucify you for it. 😎👍

[@fordson51]

Bit of a repeat comment, but this is one I have been watching out for. Saw this a few years ago on another channel, then it was deleted. Nice to see it back again.

[@Rich-bb5gp]

I love how the station announcer at about 4' in over-pronounces the names.

[@Rob1Rich]

12.35 to avoid spending a million we've spent a fiver on this contraption.

[@spencersmith7266]

In the distance, the old Railway Inn pub, near Brinklow Marina, to the left side of the over-bridge at 20m 50s in the film. Pub closed back in 2000, I believe. As a kid in the late '70s, it was a great place to watch trains through the rear window, while sipping a glass of coke.

[@pburr1973]

We used to go there a lot in the 1980s - look down on the trains in the car park, they would silently streak through the countryside. Then avoiding getting killed, to cross over the road and walk towards the Oxford Canal.

[@spencersmith7266]

@@pburr1973 Gosh. Yes, that road was more dangerous than the railway line below! Cheers.

[@Scouser89Liverpool22]

Love these vintage films, glad today’s railway uniforms are lot more visible to people bright orange

[@danielsellers8707]

This film shows the very beginnings of hi vis! I've got a 1990s BR one I got in Crewe; I actually wear it for my litter picking / volunteering!

[@mce_AU]

Nice simple video.

[@nickbarber9502]

Intriguing music.

[@tb-cg6vd]

In 1967 Star Trek was using eerie, skittering electronica To Boldly Go Where No Man has Gone Before! Meanwhile, in the UK it was deemed suitable for British Tranport promotional films. Now I ask, where is the real genius???

[@simonf8902]

The existential signalman. And check the fancy white telephones. Posh. When the relay kicks in with a thunk it sound great. And the birth of hi viz and hard hats.

[@danielsellers8707]

The birth of hi vis! I've got a 1990s BR hi vis I got in Crewe - I actually wear it!

[@mark9978]

A wonderful piece of nostalgia for a lost world. But I agree with the comments about the music - strange and downbeat, completely at odds with the positive nature of the subject.

[@antdan5787]

The music was futuristic and full of suspense especially when they thought Thier colleague was bat **** crazy for saying the birds were the cause of the flash failures. Especially when it kept on happening 🕊️🕊️🕊️🐧😂🤣

[@jonmortermusic]

Legendary unit manager Ted Eggs of course

[@Faceplantism]

Edward Eggs

[@clayton4115]

having a smoke in the control room lol

[@djcb4190]

All right. First, first train line. Then, if the train you want to send to already collides with another train. Put Double track next to a station. Then add appropriate block signals.

[@jimthorne304]

A certain amount of entertainment arises if you have the sub-titles on!

[@gplunk]

Those birds were nothing but trouble for them power lines!

[@AndreiTupolev]

"The oh nine hours from London Eus-ton to Manchester?" And the narrator, at particularly "in the panel hyahh" at4:09. Were they participating in a competition to see who could do the most caricature posh accent they could get away with?

[@johnlarkin2980]

I can remember Rugby station when it was like this. Even the woman announcing the trains, she did it for years. It’s interesting the way that people spoke then. By the Middle of the 1970s all them pompous old twats must have retired, because you couldn’t talk down to people like that. As for the 100mph trains, yes they were fast but you would struggle to stand up if you left your seat. They used to swaying all over the place

[@dodgydruid]

Yeah staying in the S&T engineering department gave you a blue PT and not much else... station managers got the first class PT's and something like 20 more free tickets anywhere in Europe a year for family plus a hefty discount on Motorail and Sleepers which the blue 2nd class one didn't get. Executive grades at Euston House and other regional centres got 1st class travel anywhere, 1st class brake pass, tube travel free and a whole lot of perks the humble worker never dreamed existed... British Rail was run for the railwaymen hehe

[@spunkospunko4800]

My sister still got hers at 71 part of her “settlement “ apparently

[@patsematary]

the sixties were twenty years after ww2 it means an evolved modern world but still tied to past and tradition. last 50 years are J.G. Ballard’s worst and most degraded nightmares

[@andybray9791]

Look at the things that changed now

[@tonyross1230]

Hello from AW Ross Could we see the damaged component would be most welcome Our thanks to all those involved

[@djcb4190]

Signalling for my instance I experiment with block signals.

[@theonlyantony]

Music by Radiophonic Workshop?

[@Slider2732_]

The fix, being to put rubber or plastic sleeves over the top wires at bridges? I didn't hear of a fix in the film, but presume they didn't just keep on fixing the lines over and over.

[@ricbchirop4355]

20.27 LOL does he say Black Bastards

[@MiLLwallpaul231258]

When the railways were railways

[@jacquelinelapthorne3920]

AL1 AL2 AL3 AL4 AL5 AL6 10 OUT OF 10 THANKS MARK BCFC 1875

[@PaulPavlinovich]

grand old video

[@simonf8902]

Loving the silver BR lion and wheel on the electric locos. Shame they lost that for the stupid lines.

[@djcb4190]

The Caledonian Sleeper.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

They all look ready for retirement.

[@ianjones4116]

20.25,,, thank god hes talking about the Crows. !!! Get the sack these days, for just thinking that . Lol

[@AndreiTupolev]

🤣

[@AndreiTupolev]

I'm surprised the word "b*stards" was allowed in an official British Transport Films production 🤐

[@Thornaby37]

I suppose they got away with it because they were referring to creatures of a certain colour, and not the ethnic background of fellow human beings

[@ianburnett7333]

When I worked S&T Clapham junction new Signalling Centre opened 1980 in stages, it was a Disaster! Area Signal Engineer was 'Wrong man for the job'had to be paid off, replacement told by Chairman BR Board that he was to be sacked in 6 months time unless failure rate dropped, bought in a man from Swanley led a task force team, found lots of bad working practices, he reduced failure rate. In

[@donaldhartley1357]

A

[@JintySteam1]

Fried crows.

[@andys1783]

Weird. Bit like the Avengers with trains

[@danielsellers8707]

There was an episode of the Avengers set on the West Coast Main Line featuring the then new blue electric trains!

[@hermanmunster3358]

Why is it that whenever you hear somebody speak with a 'POSH' accent, it always sounds condescending, and as if they are reading from a script? As opposed to those who speak with localised accents, who usually always sound natural!

[@eugenemurray2940]

The accent is clear... Was invented so The Brummie could understand someone from Newcastle

[@TheGlassman63]

4:14 Austin Powers.

[@antdan5787]

Warrwintong wigone

[@dodgydruid]

Hmm no one should mention it to the signalmen that by 2021 they are all gone pretty much as Network Rail moves to put signalling clerks in the new single signalling centre in Euston... Where the railways always had a man on the ground somewhere to deter criminals etc the station staff gone in favour of machines and cameras, criminals think its abs heaven knowing they can leisurely stroll away from robbing a passenger as the nearest old bill is 45 mins away and no station staff there for women to turn to because the drunken lad is trying to drag her down an alley. Well done Tory's for taking something that worked and turning it into a positive nightmare for many users and workers and of course if we still had all them Railfreight Depots the HGV crisis would never have happened or the fuel crisis... and STILL the benighted fools out there vote them in again and again and again!

[@ericmoorhouse9822]

Come on wooden ladders are safer , but the speed of other trains is to fast when men are working so close

[@robhardie6687]

The 'position of safety' for workers on 125mph lines is still only 6'6" from the track!

[@thomasm1964]

Love the stilted, scripted dialogues!

[@daryl2510]

buggers and bastards... They don't like the crows do they lol

[@wheezypalacemodels7726]

When the railways actually worked without the faffing of today… Bosses got the job done without snowflakes that didn’t want to work like nowadays…Great footage..

[@grahamariss2111]

That is complete rubbish, the 60s was a time of rail strikes and the WCML featured in this film was only able to handle 25% of the passengers it handles today even without the strikes.

[@wheezypalacemodels7726]

@@grahamariss2111 to be fair, you are probably right actually. I was born in 1967 so never had first hand experience. Perhaps better while steamers then? It all seems so much easier (although dirtier of course!!)…Nostalgia is a great thing to look back on without the hassles of modern day life..be it railway related or departmental issues within. Perhaps I need a history lesson on strikes etc then!! Still great footage though….

[@grahamariss2111]

@@wheezypalacemodels7726 It is good footage, but this film is corporate propaganda, all they are going to show is everything working perfectly, as they would today in a cooperate advert for the cinema if such things were still made.

[@osiris8637]

Graham Ariss Hit the nail on the head there. I’ve been working on the rails now for a little while and can say with full confidence it is shambles, especially with management/control. A lot of the people lower down in the hierarchy pyramid are actually pretty good but get so so much shit and get left to hang out to dry by their superiors who never have to deal with some of the horrible passengers you come across or lend a helping hand.

[@simonf8902]

Sorry. It’s a fun film but it’s pure propaganda.

[@nickmagee-brown739]

Why do we need HS2 when we already have this fantastic line, good on the conservatives for finally cancelling this labour white elephant. Let's upgrade the WCML instead.

[@markhylton7278]

Very bad error the Beeching era