The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Repairing Track After Mustard Gas Attack
With the horrific effects of gas warfare still fresh in the memory, rubberised men – like extras from a 1950s British sci fi movie – prepare for more, with 1940s attention to detail.
From the collection of:
Overview
Yet another example of the meticulous preparations made by Britain for any kind of attack from the Nazis, as the Phoney War gives way to the Blitz. In this case railway personnel combine military and medical expertise in dealing with a crater on a railway line caused by an enemy mustard bomb. Covered from head to foot in plastic, and rubber, with matching gas masks, these men take every precaution to avoid the treacherous vapour, cleaning anything that might be contaminated.
This is one of a large collection of British Rail, and some pre- British Rail, films inherited by the track renewals company Fastline in 1996, and passed on to Fastline Photography when they folded in 2010. This training film, with a realistic demonstration of how to deal with a mustard bomb attack, gives a scenario that fortunately was never faced. Every adult and child was issued with a gas mask on the outbreak of war, with a legal requirement to carry it at all times. Although mustard gas was heavily used in World War One, and by the Italians in Abyssinia just a few years earlier, it seems fear of retaliation prevented its use in this war. Yet it seems that in 1941 the threat was still perceived to be real.
Related
Watch for free
Mining Review 19th Year No. 11 Mining Review 19th Year No. 11
1966 11 mins Location: Castleford
Coal touched all our lives, as this issue of the cinemagazine demonstrates with items on a miner's wife turned mayor, a Coal Board chess team and more.
Watch for free
Enginemen Enginemen
Documentary 1959 17 mins
This poetic Free Cinema documentary, filmed near Manchester, reflects on the changing world of the engineman.
Watch for free
Great Northern Railway Works at Doncaster (1901) Great Northern Railway Works at Doncaster (1901)
Documentary 1900 6 mins Silent Location: Doncaster
Countless men, women and children spill out on to the screen from "The Plant" at the heart of the Yorkshire railway town.
Watch for free
Severn Valley Railway Severn Valley Railway
News 1976 7 mins Location: Bridgnorth
Is Chris Tarrant up to shovelling a ton and a half of coal to keep the fire burning and the steam up between Bridgnorth and Bewdley?
Watch for free
Railways - Derelict and Preserved Railways - Derelict and Preserved
Amateur film 1975 33 mins Silent Location: Rainhill
Come and see Rocket 150, and visit a selection of railway locations, past and preserved.
Watch for free
Employees Leaving Furness Railway Works, Barrow (1901) Employees Leaving Furness Railway Works, Barrow (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
An all-male Edwardian crowd is filmed leaving work in the north western town.
Watch for free
Probe - Alf Morris announces the recalling of the Invacar Probe - Alf Morris announces the recalling of the Invacar
News 1976 12 mins Location: Northampton
Alf Morris, Minister for the Disabled explains why use of the Invacar is to be phased out, to the dismay of some disabled drivers.
Watch for free
Northampton Carnival Northampton Carnival
Home movie 1932 3 mins Silent Location: Northampton
From bikes to biplanes: anything goes in Northampton's annual hospital fund-raiser.
Watch for free
Introduction to Northampton Introduction to Northampton
Documentary 1963 17 mins Location: Northampton
Your employer is relocating to Northampton. Will this film convince you it's a good idea for you too?
Watch for free
Colin Milburn Colin Milburn
News 1977 6 mins Location: Northampton
What happens when a career in professional sport comes to a dramatic end? Former cricketer Colin Milburn has decided to look for a job.
Watch for free
Cobbler Makes Cricket Boots for World's Cricket Stars Cobbler Makes Cricket Boots for World's Cricket Stars
News 1972 3 mins Location: Northampton
Anglia TV visit the world famous cobbler for cricketers, Albert Whiting, in his Northampton shop.
Watch for free
Grand Union Canal Grand Union Canal
Documentary 1937 34 mins Silent Location: Houses of Parliament
Follow working narrow boats as they make their 60-hour trip from London to Birmingham along Britain's longest industrial waterway.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.