CONSPIRATOR

Image result for Conspirator 1949

GB
1949
1hr 27mins
Dir: Victor Saville
Starring: Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor

A British Army Major leads a double life as a spy

This thriller is based on the 1948 novel of the same name by Humphrey Slater and it features a scene filmed at Holborn Underground station with 1923 Standard stock present. There are also a couple of scenes later on that feature ex-GWR Pannier Tanks hauling branch trains on the Bala Junction-Blaenau Ffestiniog line in North Wales. One is seen passing alongside a river, whilst another is seen arriving into Manod station hauled by 7400 Class No.7401.

A train of 1923 Standard stock is captured somewhere on the Underground. I believe this is the Piccadilly. Firstly, the tiling is similar to that at Holborn (though it may not be that station) and secondly, to confirm more clearly, the London Underground sign above the train and to the right begins with ‘P’, so that would make it a Piccadilly Line route map.
Robert Taylor onboard a Standard stock train. This is the genuine article which is a nice surprise as more often than not during the 1940’s and early 50’s a studio recreation would suffice.
Robert Taylor leaves a train at Holborn which still had the (Kingsway) suffix at the time
Although as can be seen from this shot not all the signage carried the Kingsway suffix. I think this may be the Aldwych branch platform at Holborn.
This is good. Ex-GWR 7400 Class 0-6-0PT No.7401 arrives into Manod in damp and dreary North Wales. The ‘Llandridd’ sign is a prop, applied to the ‘Gentlemen’ sign for the toilets!!
Another branch service passes over a river and across an embankment
The train’s progress is momentarily followed and it becomes a little clearer in the process. It is another Pannier Tank on two coaches, the first of which appears to be painted in carmine and cream.
Back on the tube for a final time and Robert Taylor is captured sitting inside Standard stock vehicle No.7024