Centenary Express (1980)
A short British documentary celebrating a century of railway dining with a vintage steam journey from Yorkshire to London.
Centenary Express - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Allen Bendig
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 7m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 2, 1980 (United Kingdom)
- Production Companies: British Transport Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Centenary Express - Plot
A gastronomic journey from Yorkshire to London on board a special train - made up of vintage restaurant cars, and steam hauled. This was to celebrate a hundred years of train catering. The Chairman of British Rail, Sir Peter Parker, was there to cut the cake! For use as an 'opener' for marketing meetings, presentations, etc. and for staff information.
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Centenary Express - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Allen Bendig
Main Cast
- Peter Hawkins
- Sir Peter Parker
Writers
- John Legard
Producers
- John Legard
Centenary Express - FAQs
What is Centenary Express about?
Centenary Express follows a celebratory train journey from Yorkshire to London aboard vintage restaurant cars hauled by steam. The trip marks a hundred years of railway catering in Britain, with British Rail Chairman Sir Peter Parker on board to cut the cake and mark the milestone.
Why was the Centenary Express journey organised?
The journey was organised to celebrate the centenary of train catering in Britain — a full hundred years of dining on the rails. British Rail used the occasion to bring together vintage restaurant cars and a steam locomotive for a nostalgic, gastronomic trip from Yorkshire to London.
Who directed Centenary Express?
Centenary Express was directed by Allen Bendig, who also served as cinematographer on the film. It was produced by British Transport Films, the prolific documentary unit behind hundreds of short films documenting British transport and industry throughout the 20th century.
How long is the Centenary Express film?
Centenary Express runs for just 7 minutes, making it a very compact short documentary. It was designed as an opener for marketing meetings, staff presentations, and internal communications at British Rail rather than as a theatrical release.
Who appears in Centenary Express?
The film features Peter Hawkins as commentator, lending his well-known voice to the narration, alongside Sir Peter Parker, then Chairman of British Rail, who appears in his official capacity and cuts the celebratory cake marking a century of railway dining.
What was the intended purpose of this film?
Centenary Express was made specifically for internal use within British Rail. It served as an engaging opener for marketing meetings, corporate presentations, and staff information sessions — a short, celebratory piece designed to inform and enthuse employees and stakeholders alike.
Is Centenary Express a British Transport Films production?
Yes, Centenary Express was produced by British Transport Films, the documentary unit established by the nationalised British transport industries. BTF was renowned for producing high-quality short films about railways, roads, and waterways, and this film fits squarely within that distinguished tradition.
What are some similar documentaries to Centenary Express?
If you enjoy short documentary films, you might appreciate National Gallery (2014) by Frederick Wiseman or American Boy: A Profile of Steven Prince (1978) directed by Martin Scorsese. Both offer intimate, observational approaches to their subjects, much like the focused style of Centenary Express.
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