A GROUP of rail historians have put together a special film to mark Derby's 175-year association with railways.
The London, Midland and Scottish Carriage Association has compiled the video, which shows carriage building in 1933 at the Derby Carriage and Wagon Works in Litchurch Lane, now the home of Bombardier.
The film has been made available courtesy of the British Film Institute and shows the work from raw materials to finished product.
Although the original film, Corridor Third, was silent, enthusiasts at the association have produced a commentary, with additional sound effects, to help inform the viewer of the skills and capability on display at the works.
The finished film, which is more than 14 minutes long, has now been posted on the association's website. You can watch it here:
The organisation would like to hear from anyone who could help shed more light on the works and the people who built the rail carriages.
London, Midland and Scottish (LMS) was a railway company formed in the 1920s. It was nationalised not long after the Second World War.
The association, a volunteer-run charity, is based at Peak Rail, near Matlock, and Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Wirksworth. It preserves and operates a collection of historical London Midland and Scottish Railway carriages.
Volunteer Alan Taylor said: "The film is quite an eye opener, particularly from a health and safety point of view. We hope it will be of great interest to Derby people, particularly those who were at Litchurch Lane."
A series of events has taken place already to mark Derby's 175-year association with the rail industry, with the official anniversary falling on May 30 – the day in 1839 LMS came to the city.
Not long after that, Derby started building trains at what is now Derby College's Roundhouse campus.
Train-building later transferred to Litchurch Lane, the same site where Bombardier still makes trains today, using some of the same buildings seen in the film.
Rupert Brennan Brown, spokesman for the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum, which is helping to organise events under the Derby175 banner, said: "We are especially delighted that the association has been able to put together something which gives a fascinating insight into the past."
Anniversary events include Women In Rail on May 14, a celebration at Bombardier on May 15, one at Derby Station, organised by East Midlands Trains, on May 30 and a civic service at Derby Cathedral in October.
