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By the early 1960’s the Settle and Carlisle line was, like almost half of Britain's national railway network, under threat of closure.

This programme covers the final declining years of BR steam, and the accompanying commentary explains how the Settle & Carlisle line struggled on against a very hostile political background of railway denigration. Massive investment was being made in roads and, with a few notable exceptions, the railways were subject to a deliberate policy of retrenchment and neglect.

Railways like the S&C had to struggle on often in an appallingly run down state, at which point they could then be declared to be uneconomic to maintain and repair. The running of steam specials over the line in the later 1960’s attracted public attention to this magnificent railway, and that support continued to grow in the 1970’s when its commercial and political strength forced an unwilling BR to allow and ultimately promote steam hauled excursions over the line.

Such was the support locally and nationally for this unique railway that, when the economic undertakers again arrived in the 1980’s, they were resoundingly routed.

In 1988/9 a major government U turn resulted in a strategy of investment in the line and its through-freight, superb Dalesrail tourist service and steam hauled excursion traffic grew and grew. The second part of this programme shares the magnificent experience of these present day steam excursions.

Features 8mm colour archive footage with original soundtrack as well as contemporary video.