GB 1950 1hr 26mins Dir: Roy Kellino Starring: Patrick Holt and Elizabeth Sellars
After a failed bank robbery, the getaway driver flees to the Devon countryside and the farm of his uncle
This crime drama is based on the 1943 novel You’re Best Alone by Norah Lofts, penned under the pseudonym of Peter Curtis. It features some excellent shots of Staverton station, on the Ashburton branch in South Devon. The station is masquerading in the film as ‘Welford’ and in one scene a train arrives hauled by ex-GWR 1400 Class 0-4-2T No.1470. Prior to these shots there is a scene filmed at London Paddington station plus a stock shot of an express passing Coryton’s Cove, near Teignmouth on the Devon Coast, hauled by an ex-GWR ‘Castle’ Class 4-6-0 with a ‘130’ stencil headcode.
This is the former Eastbourne Terrace entrance to London Paddington with Peter Reynolds about to dive into the Clock Arch
Peter Reynolds and passengers board the front coach of an express. The tender of the GWR 4-6-0 is on the right.
A GWR ‘Castle’ passes Coryton’s Cove, near Teignmouth, working train ‘130’. This is none other than the prestigious ‘Cornish Riviera Limited’, but without its headboard.
This marvelous shot of a rural station is that of Staverton, on the Ashburton branch, still open today as part of the South Devon Railway as far as Buckfastleigh. The loco is 1400-series 0-4-2T No.1470.
Elizabeth Sellers alights from the train
With the booking office and main station building behind, Peter Reynolds watches her arrival with trepidation
As the two leave the station one can see the fake WELFORD station sign by the freight loading dock.
Having made her feel very unwelcome Elizabeth Sellers looks on in disgust as Peter Reynolds leaves. This shot gives a better view of the short siding behind the platform.
