'Reflections On Western Steam: Vol 2. Through The Chilterns To The Midlands': Full VHS Tape HD. 1990

A look back at the days of working steam on the Western Region of British Railways. Volume Two explores the line through the Chilterns to the Midlands.
From around the turn of the century, Birmingham was served by two competing railways from London, the LNWR from Euston and the more direct GWR from Paddington.
This programme features the latter. The route ran via High Wycombe, Princes Risborough, Banbury before reaching Snow Hill in Birmingham. Sadly today the line is a mere shadow of its former self, 30 years ago it was a busy mainline with steam hauled expresses linking London to the West Midlands.
A wide range of classes associated with the area in the 1960s including ‘Kings’, ‘Halls’, ‘Granges’, ‘Panniers’, ‘Prairies’. 8Fs & 9Fs and Standard 4’s & 5’s.
A range of locations and workings including 1965 Cup Final excursions, GWR Railcars on Greenford services, ‘Kings’ and ‘Castles at High Wycombe, ‘Panniers’, 8Fs and ‘Evening Star’ at Princes Risborough, a ‘Prairie’ on the Thame Branch and a Pannier on the Chinnor branch, Traffic at Aynho Junction and Banbury Station and shed, Inter-regional traffic, Heyford with a wide range of workings and classes, Hatton Bank plus a number of steam excursions in the 1980s.
This programme contains colour and black & white 35mm, 16mm, & 8mm film.
Narrated by Michael McClain
This rare documentary has now been transferred from its original VHS cassette to 1080 HD for all trainspotting fans to enjoy.
Transport Video Publishing
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[@clivebroadhead4381]

It is a puzzle why the Chiltern Line wasn't upgraded to improve services between London and Birmingham. The upgrade with modern signalling and electrification would I believe have removed the need for HS2.

[@tankmicr00man]

It certainly would have helped reduce the log jam on the 'main' line to New Street!

[@gainsbourg66]

There was absolutely no need to build a new railway when we already had a perfectly good (neglected) one that simply needed upgrading. HS2 was fashion driven, as have been almost all railway decisions since the 1950s.