An LMS film showing how a steam locomotive goes through a full overhaul in under 2 weeks in the 1930's.

LMS - London Midland Scottish, was once the second largest employer in the country and was the result of almagamating several smaller railways (railroads).

Despite having widespread interests in a number of commercial areas the LMS was first and foremost a railway organisation. It operated in all four constituent countries of the United Kingdom and in England its operations penetrated 32 of the 40 counties.

The company operated around 7,000 route miles servicing 2,944 goods depots and 2,588 passenger stations, using 291,490 freight vehicles, 20,276 passenger vehicles and 9,914 locomotives.

The company directly employed 263,000 staff and through its annual coal consumption of over six and a half million tons could claim to indirectly employ a further 26,500 coal miners.

Like many UK industries they were ravaged at the end of WW2.

The Railways Act of 1921 created four large railway companies which were in effect geographical monopolies albeit with competition at their boundaries with some lines either reaching into competitors territory or, being jointly operated.

Warning:
This is a longish filum and if you do not like rail/industrial related material you best move straight along now - you will not like this at all. You have been warned.