Thanks to the persistence of several members of the QRS we are becoming better known as a location for film sets and for photography for advertisements. As we are relatively near London we are very handy for film companies and agencies not wishing to have the expense of travelling far afield. Also this activity brings us some very useful additional money! Beattie will shortly appear, as the supporting feature, on the front cover of a brochure for Arenson International Ltd., manufacturers of office furniture and equipment. (See the Winter 'News' and the back page).

On Tuesday, 11th November, 1975 it was the turn of the Pannier. She was in steam for a dramatic shot to be taken at track level. This photograph will appear on the inside of a record album and shows a man chained at the side of the track with his head resting on the rail!!

By the time I reached Quainton, having savoured the difficulties of doing the journey by public transport, Frank, Simon and Paul had 50 psi on the gauge and there was nothing else to do until the Pannier could be moved into the platform for coaling. When the camera men arrived plus, "victim" and make up girl, they decided to take the shots down at "Waddesdon End" so we had to shunt the BSK into the short siding. Meanwhile they were loading all their equipment onto the trolley in the yard, and when we had returned to the platform they pushed it down the line, followed at a safe distance, by the Pannier.

We had instructions to make lots of black smoke and plenty of steam! The "plenty of steam" was not difficult and in spite of light firing her valves were lifting long before they were ready to begin filming. She had half a glass of water so there was plenty of room for a few gallons to quieten her down. The black smoke normally presents no problem whatever. But this time it was different; it seemed more difficult to produce it to order! It was a nice thin clear fire so we mixed up lots of dust with some small bits of coal and oil and it all ready to throw on the fire when they gave us the word.

We sat and waited. It was a beautiful day, on the chilly side but sunny and very peaceful. A down light engine passed on its way to Bletchley and we exchanged greetings on horn and whistle. The BR driver looked mildly surprised to see two crossed flags on the smokebox door and someone being chained to the track! The pressure began creeping up again and Frank left the footplate to see how much longer they would be.

After about five minutes he returned. "Right! Throw on the slack!" spread it around the box and shut the firehole door. It should produce some lovely smoke! The blower was just cracked and a whisp of grey smoke appeared at the top of the chimney. It should be perfect.

(to be continued)

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 1976 and so does not reflect events in the 39+ years since publication. The text and photographs are repeated verbatim from the original publication, with only a few minor grammar changes but some clarifying notes are added if deemed necessary. The photos from the original publication are provided as scans in this internet version of this long out of print publication.

Reference:
Look for Quainton on an LP - Quainton News No. 27 - Spring 1976