FILMING AT THE KWVR

THREE locomotives were directly used in the film: USATC ‘S160’ Class 2-8-0 No. 5820 ‘Big Jim’, Midland Railway 3835 Class (LMS 4F) 0-6-0 No. 3924, and LMS ‘Jubilee’ 4-6-0 No. 5596 Bahamas. Others were also used for behind the scenes stock moves, such as 0-6-0 diesel shunter No. D0226 Vulcan and Type 3 No. 37075, while Waggon und Maschinenbau Railbus No. 79964 was used to shuttle the cast between the filming base at Oxenhope and shooting locations along the line. “The budget of the film meant there was no possibility of repainting any locos,” said Noel Hartley, business and operations manager at the KWVR. “But Jemma [Rodgers, the producer] was aiming to get the right feel, and the locos and rolling stock we used give the right impression.” All locos and stock used were already based on the KWVR, such as the L&Y Blackpool Club Car, flat wagons, and suburban coaches. Said Noel: “We’re quite lucky at the KWVR as, for a small railway, we have six stations and are the base for multiple organisations owning locos and stock.” Jemma was particularly taken with USATC loco ‘Big Jim’, its livery and background proving useful for a key part of the film. “This is the biggest filming ever on the KWVR, including the original,” said Noel. “Only really the outside scenes were filmed on the railway in the original. But much more was done on the railway this time. “Most of the interior scenes were shot on sets built in the exhibition shed at Oxenhope, where the production base was. Filming took place over six weeks in May and June 2021, but the production team was based at the railway for three months.” There was also a huge amount of involvement with KWVR staff and volunteers, without whom the film could not have been made, covering roles such as operations planning, manning locos and trains, plus a film liaison team.