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On the Move

Britain in the early 20th century was a society in a hurry - and transport was changing fast.

The era of mass transportation launched by the Victorians gathered pace in the Edwardian age. Mitchell & Kenyon’s films feature countless trains, buses and trams, as well as horse-drawn coaches and bicycles, though cars are still a rarity.

People where the duo’s stock-in-trade, but transport could also take a leading role. Films feature boats, ferries and ocean liners, but much more common - and frequently magical - are those which take us on a journey by train or, especially, by tram, gliding through space and time into the heart of the towns and cities of our ancestors.

27 videos in this collection

A breathtaking winter journey in the Pennines, from country to town and back again via electric tram.

Tram Ride into Halifax (1902)

  • Halifax
  • 1902
A fascinating film tour into the heart of Edwardian Liverpool.

Liverpool As Seen from the Front of an Electric Car from the Pierhead to the Circus (1901)

  • Liverpool
  • 1901
The thrill of a ride through central Sunderland to the sea at Roker.

Tram Ride through Sunderland (1904)

  • Sunderland
  • 1904
The luxurious RMS Lucania is bound for New York in one of Mitchell & Kenyon's most elaborate and striking films.

Cunard Mail Steamer Lucania Leaving For America (1901)

  • Liverpool
  • 1901
A driver's view of the Furness Railway through Furness Abbey Tunnel and Station.

Phantom Ride on the Furness Railway (1901)

  • Furness Abbey
  • 1900
Crystal-clear views of town, sands, sea, tourists and locals at the Lancashire resort.

Panoramic View of the Morecambe Sea Front (1901)

  • Morecambe
  • 1901
Views from an Edwardian railway trip, filmed just east of the Devon-Cornwall border and over the Tamar.

Beautiful Panorama of Railway Ride from St. Germans to Millbay (1901)

  • Plymouth
  • 1901
Edwardian tourists and businessmen hurry off the ferry and down the long pier at Egremont on the River Mersey.

Scenes at Egremont Ferry (1901)

  • Egremont
  • 1901
A fine variety of views of the Avon gorge taken from various positions downstream from the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Panorama of the River Avon to Portishead (1902)

  • Portishead
  • 1902
Downtown Belfast is easily recognisable in these scenes from a tramcar ride in 1901.

Ride on a Tram Car through Belfast (1901)

  • Belfast
  • 1901
A journey across the well-known Scottish railway bridge, filmed from the engine front.

Over the Tay Bridge on an Express Train (1901)

  • Tay Bridge
  • 1901
An excellent 'phantom ride' through the heart of Edwardian Yorkshire's 'Steel City'.

Tram Ride through the City of Sheffield (1902)

  • Sheffield
  • 1902
The inauguration of the Blackpool to Lytham tram route on 28 May 1903.

Lytham Trams and Views Along the Route (1903)

  • Lytham
  • 1903
Tranquil scenes of rural Edwardian Ireland, on a rail journey with views of Blarney Castle.

Ride from Blarney to Cork on Cork & Muskerry Light Railway (1902)

  • 1902
Splendid views of Edwardian Rochdale from the front of a tram after a recent dusting of snow.

Rochdale Tram Ride (1905)

  • Rochdale
  • 1905
Welcoming crowds greet the arrival of a steamer to the Isle of Man, seen from a stunning perspective on deck.

Douglas Harbour Paddle Steamer (1902)

  • Douglas
  • 1902
Ferries across the Mersey show Edwardian workers on their daily commute to and from Liverpool.

Snowdrop Ferry at Seacombe (1901)

  • Seacombe
  • 1901
Bustling scenes show Edwardian Derry-Londonderry before industrialisation took hold.

Cattle Market in Derry (1902)

  • Derry / Londonderry
  • 1902
Cheering crowds and much jubilation greet the launch of the Accrington to Oswaldtwistle electric tram service.

Opening of Accrington Electric Tramways (1907)

  • Accrington
  • 1907
A swift ride through the centre of Cork on an early electric tram.

Tram Ride from King Street to Patrick's Bridge, Cork (1902)

  • 1902
A panoramic voyage along the breathtaking Isle of Man coast.

Tram Ride from Port Soderick to Douglas Head (1902)

  • Port Soderick Glen
  • 1902
A large liner draws away from the quay, but where is she headed?

Ship Departing from Port (c.1901)

  • 1901
An epic tour of the places and people of Edwardian Bradford.

Electric Tram Rides from Forster Square, Bradford (1902)

  • Bradford
  • 1902
Edwardian images of County Cork's famous port, filmed from a bobbing boat.

Panorama of Queenstown Harbour (1902)

  • 1902
A headlong tram ride passing Southport's finest emporia.

Phantom Ride through Southport (1902)

  • Southport
  • 1902
The future King of Siam takes a trip across the Mersey.

Prince of Siam in Liverpool (1901)

  • Liverpool
  • 1901
Thousands gather to see off the SS Mongolian on its way to Canada.

SS Mongolian Leaving the Clyde (1906)

  • Glasgow
  • 1906