Cat no. 766

Service For Southend

Running time9:48 Black & White Sound 1957 Essex

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A documentary film on the electrification of the Liverpool Street to Southend railway line via Shenfield.

Genre:

DocumentaryTravel / Travelogue

Liverpool Street Station, December 28th, 1956: the last steam train to Southend Victoria leaves Liverpool Street. A poster advertises the new electric service, beginning Monday, December 31st. Scenes of the construction of the electric line show work trains, machinery and men at work. At Southend Victoria Station, a special steam excursion train has brought a party of dignitaries to the Inauguration of the electric service. They are greeted by the Mayor of Southend. The opening ceremony is performed in front of newsreel cameramen and newspaper journalists. They interview the driver, John McCannadis. There are shots of the first electric train on the service, including the driver and the passengers. The steam train and the electric train cross as they pass through Shenfield.

Featured People:

John McCannadis, train driver; Mayor of Southend

Featured Organisations:

British Rail

Featured Events:

The inaugural electric train service between Southend and Liverpool Street

Featured Buildings:

Liverpool Street Station; Southend Victoria Station

Data Film Productions Ltd.

British Transport Films

Leslie Shepard

John Reid; Ken Reeves; David Watkin

Leslie Shepard