View From An Engine Front - Ilfracombe (1898)

This careering ride through the Devon countryside to the seaside town of Ilfracombe can offer us some insights into the first years of film. "Phantom rides" such as this were very popular with audiences as the novelty of movement was what was so new about the cinema. Films were often shown as part of travelling fairgrounds, so the rollercoaster nature of the trip is no coincidence.

One thing to bear in mind whilst watching is that early film cameras were cranked by hand. So please spare a thought for the man clinging to the front of the steam engine to take you on your journey. All aboard! (Jez Stewart)

You can watch over 1000 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge at the new BFI Mediatheque - http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BFI
• trains
• railway
• railways
• stream
• engine
• Ilfracombe
• Devon

[ampy1950]

Excellent footage - the line was standard gauge and the cameraman would most likely be in an open wagon in front of the engine - the railway companies, ever publicity-conscious, willingly provided such facilities for many such clips.

[JollyRodders]

dessireluvals...

You are right. There is no requirement to stop at a distant signal. If the distant signal is ON, {at caution}, the driver must be prepared to stop at any signal within the section controlled by the signal box operating the distant signal. My guess is that the distant in this film was permanently at the ON position as the train would be approaching a dead end.

[steamforme]

The film starts after leaving Mortehoe station, I walked up the tracks one evening, as a boy,(about 1950) from Ilfracombe station. After 60 years living overseas, I visited Ilfracombe, such a shame the tracks are now all overgrown, as are the Cairn woods, but I recognised every spot in that clip. Wonderful memories of how it used to be.

"steam for me" Feb 2011

[SYKAROST]

A couple of years ago I'm sure I rode my bike up this line from Ilfracombe to Morthoe which must have been 'singled' many years ago & is now a very pleasant woodland ride. (I would much prefer it to still be a railway!!)

[Isochest]

@blauckner Yes, it's a pity it's gone:-(((

[Isochest]

@JollyRodders You are right. One other thing I note is the Home Signal was held a danger until the train was close to it to slow it down. This was standard procedure at Junctions, too when trains had to slow for a turnout. I think that was why the flashing yellow aspect was introduced more recently.

[cyclingmartin]

stoysville. Yes. The film starts after the station, just over a mile towards Ilfracombe, marked on the OS as Higher Campscoll. (Maps online from the British Library.)

To other commentators: The film was taken by fixing the camera either to a wagon in front of a locomotive or to the front of the engine. Note how the camera points OUT on curves. Also, the line was built by the LSWR. So it was never broad gauge.

A great film. Thanks so much!

[colliecandle]

Wonderful filming - when you think of it, the film outlasted both cameraman and sadly, railway! I note the signalman was a tad late taking off that outer home though! Nostalgic stuff indeed - let's hope the line can be 'resurrected'

[JimTLonW6]

Very interesting, both as a film and as a record of the line.

[stoysville]

@stoysville. In reply to my own post, I think maybe it's going down the hill from the Morte Hoe / Woolacombe station? Can anyone verify this?

[stoysville]

This is fantastic, where is the train travelling from?