{ THE UNSEEN STEAM CHANNEL}

Unseen Steam is a digital channel that can be viewed on Facebook, mobile devices, DVDs and the website www. unseensteam.co.uk It was launched in April 2015 and, as the name implies, it is filled with steam railway footage never seen before by the public. The website contains a mixture of daily news stories and film clips, plus in-depth features, exclusive interviews and expert comment on what is happening in the world of steam and railways in general, both past and present, including preserved railways. Wherever possible, the articles are linked to the archive database. Enthusiasts can access this site and view lots of free film content. Subscription allows complete access to the entire film archive, for £2.99 a month. Keely Valentine, who as executive editor oversees the Unseen Steam website, said: “We really want to get the message to enthusiasts that we’d love them to submit their own film clips to our Just Seen section of the website. “For example, it can be scenes filmed at the weekend at a heritage line, or on a main line steam charter. We will also add some context to these clips. “We would also like enthusiasts to send us their own local railway news stories and to get involved generally. We want the website to be a two-way conversation with enthusiasts.” Clips can be sent to film@ unseensteam.co.uk and news stories, pictures and feedback to editor@unseensteam.co.uk In total, Unseen Steam has six staff, including a film crew, who visit heritage lines and steam events, such as the recent re-launch of Flying Scotsman on the East Lancashire Railway. Keely said: “We’re very active on Facebook and social media. Our Flying Scotsman film was widely shared and reached around 49,000 people. “In the coming year we will be doing everything we can to enhance the website and involve the public more, with the aim of it becoming a one-stop shop when we launch extras such as a forum and events calendar.” The website will also feature unidentified clips of film, and the public will be asked to identify the subject matter. Short programmes will also be produced for people to download. Edited selections from the archive have been scripted by expert enthusiasts and will be available very soon on a new DVD called Our Archive Heritage 02, from www.unseensteam.co.uk /unseen-shop at £12.99. Subjects include steam in West Lancashire, Cambrian Coast, ‘O2s’ on the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man Railway in the Marquess of Ailsa years, Eastern lines and industrial Scotland. Viewers can choose to have a musical soundtrack or unaccompanied pictures. The previous DVD, Our Archive Heritage 01 is also available from the website. ‘DVD 02’ will be available both with and without background music.