The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
The Inauguration of the Dart Valley Railway by Lord Beeching
Lord Beeching inaugurates a privately run Dart Valley Railway
From the collection of:
Overview
Lord Beeching is at the inauguration of the Dart Valley Railway at Buckfstleigh Train Station. Dr Richard Beeching, a physicist and engineer is the chairman of British Railways in 1961 and becomes known for his report The Reshaping of British Railways. Almost a third of all lines at the time seen as unprofitable, close. Some survive today as heritage railway lines and the Dart Valley Railway is now the South Devon Railway operating between Totnes and Buckfastleigh.
Buckfastleigh Train Station originally opens on 1 May 1872. The Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway amalgamated with the Great Western Railway in 1897 which was then nationalised into public or state ownership in 1948. The line closes to passengers in 1958. It opens again in 1969 as the Dart Valley Heiritage Railway and the South Devon Railway Trust takes control of the line in 1991. From 1971 the line terminates at Buckfastleigh allowing for improvements to the A38 road to go ahead.
Related
Watch for free
Recollections of Our Summer Holiday at Babbacombe South Devon August 1931 Recollections of Our Summer Holiday at Babbacombe South Devon August 1931
Amateur film 1931 10 mins Silent Location: Babbacombe
Bowling along country lanes in the family's Austin motor car plus dancing on the beach: the delights of a holiday in Devon
Watch for free
Woman Police Officer in Buckfastleigh Woman Police Officer in Buckfastleigh
Current affairs 1977 3 mins Location: Buckfastleigh
Pam is the new police constable in the village of Buckfastleigh
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
The Country Railway The Country Railway
Current affairs 1976 5 mins Location: Buckfastleigh
David St John Thomas talks about his book The Country Railway
Watch for free
The Dart Valley Railway The Dart Valley Railway
Current affairs 1977 1 mins Silent Location: Buckfastleigh
The Dart Valley Railway operates a quaint steam service on the Primrose Line
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.