IT’S A GRAND LIFE

GB
1953
1hr 42mins
Dir: John Blakeley
Starring: Frank Randle and Diana Dors

An accident prone, army private, attempts to rescue a Women’s Royal Army Corps Corporal from sexual harassment

This unusual comedy burlesque includes a couple of good railway shots filmed in the north west, though most are obscured by the opening credits. There are shots of three-coach local passenger trains passing, one is hauled by an ex-LMS 2P Class 4-4-0, and the other two by ex-LMS 2-6-4 tanks. The third train is shown arriving at Baguley station, located on the former Cheshire Lines Committee route between Stockport and Glazebrook. Some shots of the station platforms and the forecourt then follow. The station closed in 1964, although the line is still open. Later in the film there is a completely random stock shot of an express hauled by an ex-LMS ‘Jubilee’ Class 4-6-0 passing through the curved approach to unknown station. The film is most notable for an exquisite performance from Trinidadian pianist Winifred Attwell.

As the title of the film is announced a train can be seen approaching
As the train passes, the locomotive is revealed to be an ex-LMS 2P 4-4-0
This passing train is a lot less clearer, though the locomotive is a small 2-6-4 tank
A similarly obscured view shows a near-identical train arriving into Baguley station, near Timperley, Greater Manchester, though of course still apart of Cheshire at the time of filming
As the credits clear we are at last treated to a better glimpse of the station and train
Baguley station from platform level with the bridge carrying Brooks Drive over the railway in the background
The camera moves to the station forecourt, with Brooks Drive bridge again in the background
An ex-LMS ‘Jubilee takes its train round a curve and past a sizeable goods yard. I would be interested to know where this was filmed.