GB / US 2019 2hrs 02mins Dir: Michael Engler Starring: Jim Carter and Laura Carmichael
The continuing story of the Crawley family and the visit of the King and Queen to their country estate
This big screen version of the historical drama television series of the same name was a success, but how much of this was down to the aforementioned TV series is difficult to ascertain. The Heritage Railway scenes that open the film were shot on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, with Pickering station representing King’s Cross, and therefore with some degree of CGI manipulation. The train is hauled by ex-LNER Q6 Class 0-8-0 No.63395 and the Royal Mail Sorting Office Coach that was in the consist was borrowed from the Great Central Railway at Loughborough. Meanwhile, the exterior scenes set in York were filmed on location at Beamish Museum, complete with operational trams.
Pickering station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway forms the basis for this scene, though much of what we see here is a result of CGI
While at platform level the train is loaded ready for departure
This is more recognisable as Pickering, but the station’s overall roof has grown considerably through the effects of computer generation. The locomotive is ex-LNER Q6 Class 0-8-0 No.63395 (or NER Class T2 No.2238 in old money).
Most shots of the train during its journey are at night, but we are treated to this stunning view as it passes through the wild North Yorkshire Moors as the sunrises
This shot complements that above, and gives us a better glimpse of the Q6
There are several early scenes filmed here at Beamish, with two trams putting in an appearance. This is Blackpool Corporation Tramways Open-top electric car No.31. In the far background we can see tram No.114.
Newcastle Corporation Tramways Open-top electric car No.114 is more prominent now in this shot. On the right is tram No.31 again.
