Railway Children, The

Date: 1970
Director: Lionel Jeffries
Production Company: EMI Film Productions

Stars: Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett, Gary Warren, Dinah Sheridan, Bernard Cribbins, William Mervyn, Iain Cuthbertson, Peter Bromilow, David Lodge
Location(s): Oakworth, Haworth, Oxenhope, Keighley, Worth Valley, Mytholmes, Wycoller (Yorkshire), London

Region(s): London R-S, North

Storyline:

The Waterbury family’s world is turned upside down when their father is taken from their home. Mother (Dinah Sheridan) explains nothing except that father has had to go away, and with her children moves to a humble house in the country. The three children occupy their time by waving to trains, which leads to a number of adventures. Young Peter (Gary Warren) learns that stealing coal is wrong, even if mother is cold. Phyllis (Sally Thomsett) is a tag-along without much imagination of her own, but the oldest daughter Bobbie (Jenny Agutter) learns more about the disappearance of her father, and handles every problem as if it might help get him back. JT

Additional Information:

Originally loaded by John Tunstill from tape. Prompted by some new contributions from Patrick Leonard, SJ has added stills and some further text to John’s.

“My brother, Thomas Shanks, was an extra in this film for the paper chase scene (captures 43 to 47). The film makers approached Roundhay Grammar School in Leeds for any pupils wishing to be extras. A number of them agreed to do so. My brother would be 16 or 17 at the time as he was born in January 1953. They were taken by bus to Oakworth I think. It took a day to shoot. I’ve watched the film many times but have never managed to actually spot my brother – maybe he didn’t actually make the cut – but others from his school did. At that time, Roundhay Grammar School was a boys only grammar school with Roundhay High School for Girls next door as its partner all girls grammar school, which I attended. They merged to create Roundhay School and went comprehensive in 1972 – and came to fame recently after disparaging remarks made by Liz Truss about her time there many years later after it was a comprehensive.” Some reminisces from Elaine Gathercole.

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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

Capture 1
25 Dec 2023

The affluent days while father (Cuthbertson) works at the Foreign Office to greet his family. Looking out from 4 Gainsborough Gardens NW3.

No. 4 is currently being refurbished with the gates behind hoarding but this is the view outside looking directly south. SJ

Capture 2
23 Sep 2025

The affluence, soon to be lost, is apparent. 4 Gainsborough Gardens in Hampstead.

A revisit to no. 4 after refurbishment has revealed this behind the greenery. I'm finding it tricky to be able to confirm that this is a match but nevertheless posting for debate. SJ

Capture 3
25 Dec 2023

Darker days as father is accused of being a spy. A wider shot of Gainsborough Gardens with the residence on the right. Other views of Gainsborough Gardens appear in 'Arthur? Arthur!'.

A lighter day's view was impeded by vehicles attached to the works on no. 4. The slope runs up to Well Walk. SJ

Capture 4
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Freshly impoverished, the family heads for Yorkshire.

Capture 5
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They arrive at Oakworth station northwest of Bradford, Yorkshire, under the cover of darkness.

Capture 6
22 Jan 2022

Really rather a nice house for the family to move into. Bents Farm, Oxenhope, to the south of Oakworth.

Off angle but a nice shot sent in by Patrick Leonard. (SJ)

Capture 7
22 Jan 2022

The children take to watching the trains pass by on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

The tunnel today by Patrick (SJ)

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Thier favourite vantage point is from the fence where they befriend a commuter (Mervyn) on board.

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Exploring the line.

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Pre 2008

Oakworth Station, Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Yorkshire. The station also appears in 'Escape from the Dark'.

Location, Tony Reeves, in his book, photo Tony Baird

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The local Tourist Board do a guide book.

Capture 12
25 Sep 2012

The trio peer into Cribbons' office.

Full size British film poster, 28" x 40", some 72cm x 100cm. Good used condition, pin holes. Fine example for this classic movie, € 40.00 + p&p.

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Station master Cribbins exits to change the points.

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The crossing, Oakworth Station.

Capture 15
22 Jan 2022

Warren is sent to the doctor's when Sheridan catches flu, making his way through a cemetery in Haworth, where the Brontës lived, wrote and died.

Patrick found the correct spot with the stones intact. (SJ)

Capture 16
22 Jan 2022

The Brontë Parsonage Museum, Church Street, Haworth, Yorkshire: the Doctor's home in the film.

The gravestone is still there and the tree has thickened. Patrick again (SJ).

Capture 17
22 Jan 2022

Bromilow and Warren take the horse and cart to tend to Sheridan passing Haworth Church.

Patrick offers this tranquil scene. (SJ)

Capture 18
Pre 2008

Cribbins delivers a hamper finding the stile a somewhat awkward obstacle/

Now. From Tony Baird.

Capture 19
17 Sep 2008

Ruins, still standing, at Wycoller between Colne and Bradford.

Wycoller Hall. Pic and identification from Tony Quitadamo.

Capture 20
17 Sep 2008

Panning left to the bridge, and village

Packhorse bridge, Wycoller, and again from Tony, many thanks.

Capture 21
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Ferndean Way, Wycoller village, heading northwest.

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Open moorland.

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A House

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Same house, reverse view.

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The trio at Bents Farm Oxenhope.

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Agutter leads the petticoat waving to stop the train running further into track damaged by landslide.

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22 Jan 2022

Lodge leads the band in celebration of disaster averted at Oakworth Station, Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Yorkshire.

Patrick at ground level. (SJ)

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The crossing at Oakworth Station.

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Pre 2008

The children start collecting gifts for Cribbins' birthday at Haworth village, Yorkshire.

Photo by Tony Baird, well done and thanks.

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Pre 2008

They visit various shops in the village.

Pic by Tony Baird, again our thanks.

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Pre 2008

Church Street, West Lane and Changegate, Haworth

Another snap from Tony, well sleuthed.

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And they visit the cobbler's.

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And another. Main Street.

Tony Baird again, has he got shares in Kodak we ask ourselves. Thanks Tony.

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Pre 2008

Tony, great effort thanks.

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Pre 2008

All of these pics are in this touristy village.

Now. Tony took it. Thank you.

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Continued.

Capture 37
22 Jan 2022

With their barrow full, the children head for Perks/Cribbins' house. Church Lane in Haworth, Yorkshire with St. Michael & All Angels church to the left.

Patrick points out that this is looking past the church, so in real life they are heading back to the parsonage which plays the doctor's house and surgery. (SJ)

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Approaching the station master Perks' House jsut after the bend as Mytholmes Lane turns into Station Road.

Capture 39
22 Jan 2022

61 Station Road, Oakworth. An extension has been added to the right.

And Patrick's shot shows a porch has also been added. (SJ)

Capture 40
26 May 2013

Perks' place again, in Oakworth. Immediately south of the railway barrier.

Pic Tony Baird, Location Tony Reeves.

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Thomsett enjoys the garden of "Three Chimneys"

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A paper chase starts. Patrick identifies Vale Fold Cottages on Mytholmes Lane between Oakworth and Haworth. Is the water in the foreground early CGI? asks SJ. Philip Bacon kindly answers (he also supplied a map extract to clarify), "Not so. It is in fact a mill pond that now no longer exists. There is a mill cut that runs across the centre of the capture, between the hedge below the cottages and the strip of land with a small gap in it, on the far side of the pond. The large gap on the extreme right is where the cut fed into the pond."