National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Great Orme Railway
Not for the faint-hearted: a high-speed version of the descent of the Great Orme, Llandudno, on the only cable-hauled, public road tramway in Britain.
From the collection of:
Overview
Steel yourself: this is a take-your-breath-away high-speed descent of the only cable-hauled, public road tramway in Britain: the Great Orme Railway, Llandudno (known originally – in 1902 - as the Great Orme Tramway and reverting to this name in 1977). The footage was shot by P J Smith (1899-1989), a member of the RAF Photographic Section during WWII. He supplied material for newsreels and, at one time, operated as a seaside stills photographer in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
Related
Wexford Railway Station (1902) Wexford Railway Station (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent
A flurry of activity at Wexford Railway Station as passengers alight an Edwardian steam train.
Bicton Woodland Railway Bicton Woodland Railway
Current affairs 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Bicton Park
Bicton Woodland Railway reopens to passengers for the summer season
Godfrey Davies: The Last Train from Peterchurch Godfrey Davies: The Last Train from Peterchurch
Amateur film 1953 5 mins Silent Location: Peterchurch
Railway services on the Golden Valley line in Herefordshire slip into history.
Folkestone's Leas Lift Cliff Railway and the Crab & Winkle line. Folkestone's Leas Lift Cliff Railway and the Crab & Winkle line.
Amateur film 1955 16 mins Silent
A triple treat for rail fans is featured here with signalbox action, a seaside cliff-railway and an eerie walk along the ghost of a line - plus a bonus for aviation enthusiasts
The Southern Railway Runs a Special! ...To Their Flower Show at Raynes Park The Southern Railway Runs a Special! ...To Their Flower Show at Raynes Park
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Raynes Park
Pint-sized propulsion on a miniature steam railway delights the young and old
Train Ride to Devil's Bridge Train Ride to Devil's Bridge
Travelogue 1964 11 mins Location: Aberystwyth
12 miles of magic as we journey on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, one of the Great Little Trains of Wales
From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff
Home movie 1958 4 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Donald Duck comes home with the Sunday School trippers from Bethel Chapel, Dyserth!
Piers of the Realm Piers of the Realm
Amateur film 1992 7 mins Location: Southport
A concise and colourful history of the feature that every seaside resort should have.
Old Age Pensioners First Visit to Seaside Old Age Pensioners First Visit to Seaside
News 1973 5 mins Location: Llandudno
Far from their Black Country home, Edie and Mick experience their first trip to see the sea.
Welsh Story Welsh Story
Travelogue 1941 14 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Romance blossoms amongst the donkeys on the beach at Llandudno and the glories of north Wales are explored, from piers, lakes, hills of sheep.
Welsh Magic Welsh Magic
Travelogue 1946 8 mins Silent Location: Shrewsbury
Pin-sharp post-war views of the welshest parts of Wales, from slate and coal mines to the fine cities like Aberystwyth.
In Happy Valley In Happy Valley
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Llandudno's Rose Queen looks resplendent as she receives her crown on Alexandra Rose Day in June 1929.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.