Skip to main content
BFI logo

Home

Film

Television

People

History

Education

Tours

Help

  search

Search

Screenonline banner
King George V (1970)
 

Synopsis

Warning: screenonline full synopses contain 'spoilers' which give away key plot points. Don't read on if you don't want to know the ending!

Apple trees in flower in an orchard. The noise of a train briefly disturbs the peace.

At Messrs Bulmer's, in Hereford, a man turns a wrench on the front of locomotive no. 6000, the 'King George V', and professional railwaymen oil the wheel mechanism. Since British Rail switched to electric and diesel trains, many railwaymen complain that their working lives are less satisfying.

The 'King George V' travels through the countryside, past elderberry trees and cow parsley. It was planned and built in 1927, after Great Western Railways wanted a locomotive to represent the firm at the 'Fair of the Iron Horse' in Baltimore. Because of the deadline, it was built and shipped out in four months. The American Bell on the front of the engine commemorates this trip.

After it returned to England, the 'King George V' served the increased westerly traffic on the GWR. At Bulmer's, a fireman shovels coal into the firebox. Bulmer's offered one and a half miles of siding for the locomotive in 1965. A number of Pullman coaches have also been restored, including 'Cider Queen', 'Christine', 'Morella', 'Prinia' and 'Eve'.