STAFFORD INDUSTRY

This is a compilation of Staffordshire Film Archive films of Stafford in the past - featuring some of its important industries: An English Electric film of 1947 takes us through the development of diesel and diesel/electric locomotives to the delivery of the very first diesel/electric passenger locomotive "10,000" - these locomotives were crucial to keep the railway system in full operation through the era of electrification of the railways' main lines. A 1955 film features the expansion of electrification to the North of the UK - in parallel with the development of the motorway system. A 1962 film shows the surveying, construction and completion of the Stafford Bypass - the very first section of the M6 Motorway. We feature a 2016 video by Ray Johnson of historian Geoff Elkin walking through the centre of Stafford illustrated with archive clips of some key locations and conclude with a complete documentary on Stafford's Salt Industry - with many period sequences from 1959. The salt-making ceased in 1970 as it was causing severe subsidence - Stafford's shoemakers Lotus had the industry closed down.