Ken Fairbairn

A Horse Called Jester

Horse turned detective, and communicates with children, helping them to foil a dairy robbery.

Using Tops

All freight movements over Britain's rail network are monitored and controlled by an advanced computer-based system known as TOPS (Total Operations Processing System). The film follows the progress of a wagon load of equipment from Truro to the Midlands and shows how TOPS makes it possible to accommodate a last minute change of plan.

Sea Road to Britain

Intended for European audiences to encourage them to drive to Britain for their holidays. Shows the travel facilities offered by Sealink, and suggests some of Britain's tourist attractions.

A Day with SELNEC

SELNEC is the largest public transport system in Britain, outside London, covering South East Lancashire and North East Cheshire. The film shows some of the things which go on during a typical SELNEC DAY, from daily bus operation to parcel delivery and bus/coach hire.

London Ride

Everyday except Christmas London Transport run coach tours of London. The tours start from Victoria and from Piccadilly Circus; there is no booking and little waiting; they are popular with visitors of all nationalities, and they let you see the sights in comfort, though rarely with so well-orchestrated a musical accompaniment as David Fanshawe's.

All at Sea

The unexpected adventures of children on a school cruise to Portugal and North Africa. In Tangier, Steve, whose hobby is detecting, suspects that a parcel carried by another boy is contraband. Steve and his pals get into trouble trying to get hold of the parcel, but, in the process they uncover and foil the plans of a passenger to smuggle a stolen painting back to England.

A Tale Out of School

The story of a journey from the Yorkshire Dales to Switzerland via Dover and France, made by a party of schoolgirls showing how British rail contributes to a smooth, comfortable journey.

Down to Sussex

Sussex - A country rich in scenic beauty and history. South Down and Weald - open space and green woodland. This is Sussex, a county rich in scenic beauty, seaside resorts and international events; peaceful downland villages and fertile weald. History shows itself everywhere, right back to the threshold of legend - The Long Man of Wilmington and Chanctonbury Ring. All this the traveller can see and enjoy, together with the present-day delights of, for example, the Petworth Show, Goodwood Races, polo at Cowdray Park, Glyndebourne, and the fun of the Sussex coast.

Driving Technique: Part 1 - Passenger Trains

A BAFTA award winning documentary focussing on how drivers are trained to drive new electric trains in the UK.

The Third Sam

Driver Sam Smith is given the privilege of driving one of the new electric trains. But when a problem arises, it takes three very different Sams before the problem is solved.

Metal in Harmony

The story of how the aluminium industry came to the Scottish Highlands.

Broad Waterways

'Water', says the transport man, 'is lovely stuff' - and the development plan for British Waterways is based on this belief. The film shows parts of the plan in action, then goes to the N.E. Division, where a skipper is taking 110 tons of newsprint from Hull to Nottingham. 'As a drink', says the transport man, 'you may not think much of it. But used like this...'

Broad Waterways

'Water', says the transport man, 'is lovely stuff' - and the development plan for British Waterways is based on this belief. The film shows parts of the plan in action, then goes to the N.E. Division, where a skipper is taking 110 tons of newsprint from Hull to Nottingham. 'As a drink', says the transport man, 'you may not think much of it. But used like this...'

Scotland for Sport

Believe it or not, ski-ing, canoeing and pony trekking are major sports in Scotland. Not yet comparable with fishing, perhaps, or sailing on the Clyde. As for the mountains, the Black Cuillin of Skye calls to rock climbers the world over, as Gleneagles calls to golfers. All these sports are not only matters of colour, excitement and humour, but also of knowledge and skill.

A Desperate Case

A cautionary tale of a typical holiday suitcase. Crammed beyond its capacity, imperfectly fastened, inadequately and confusedly labelled, the railways transport it from station to station, seeking its true abode. Finally, one of its owners comes to the nightmare tribunal where those who maltreat their luggage are dealt with. Did it happen? Was it a dream? Be warned. See this film. Avoid making yours 'a desperate case'.

A Desperate Case

A cautionary tale of a typical holiday suitcase. Crammed beyond its capacity, imperfectly fastened, inadequately and confusedly labelled, the railways transport it from station to station, seeking its true abode. Finally, one of its owners comes to the nightmare tribunal where those who maltreat their luggage are dealt with. Did it happen? Was it a dream? Be warned. See this film. Avoid making yours 'a desperate case'.

Coaching Holiday

A short film focusing on the account of a coaching tour told by the driver, who attempts to try to create a happy atmosphere and cement friendships.

Men on the Mend

When Joe Miller breaks his ankle on the shop floor, he is sent with some trepidation to the British Railways rehab centre, a cross between a modern gym and an old-school metalwork classroom.

A Day of One's Own

A random selection of housewives around the UK take a day off from their traditional domestic chores.

A Day of One's Own

A random selection of housewives around the UK take a day off from their traditional domestic chores.

Snowdrift at Bleath Gill

Snowploughs are readied to rescue a snowbound train - in one of the most popular of all British Transport Films.

Ireland, Isle of Sport

An overview of the sports played in Ireland, including Gaelic football, hurling, rugby and more.