Passing Trains

A record of a typical working day on a secondary railway line in North-West Pakistan. Oil-fired Class SGS 0-6-0 steam locos, built in 1911-21 by The Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows, were still being used in December 1980 to haul trains between Nowshera junction and the terminus at Durgai.

The film shows a freight train climbing up the valley, followed by several passenger trains. People engage in daily life along the line in Mardan District, their activities briefly disrupted by passing trains. Some people, working in small-scale businesses, including farmers, market traders, tailors and refreshment stall operators, depend on the railway for their livelihood. Children play games by putting objects on the tracks under the wheels of passing trains.

Faced with growing competition from road transport along the parallel road, the future of the railway is under threat as the train plods on into the sunset. The film uses authentic live sound recordings made during the filming.

This film is featured on the DVD "In the Days of Steam". 

Passing Trains	Date of Film: 2002	10 Minutes
Places and Dates of Identifiable Locomotives: No further information available

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