The Gaslight Films Of Norm Wadeson: A collection of three films shot on Kodachrome Standard 8mm stock by Norm in the late 1950s & early 1960s and edited/narrated by him at that time.

DEDICATED TO NORMAN E WADESON, OAM and his foresight in filming and editing these films.

In the 1950s and 60s, stalwart of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society Norm Wadeson edited three films: 'Here Comes Puffing Billy', 'Narrow Gauge' and 'Timber Extraction' from contemporary footage he and others had shot. Shown at public meetings to gain support for the fledgling Puffing Billy Railway, the films had a wide and appreciative audience.

ALL THREE FILMS CONSIST OF ABSOLUTELY UNREPEATABLE FOOTAGE.

Fifty years on, Steam Media believes these superb productions deserve a new appreciative audience. With Norm's full blessing, this DVD has been produced so that more generations may enjoy the unrepeatable historic scenes in a contemporary format. Whilst there has been some computer enhancement, the films are basically the same productions as captured on Kodachrome Standard 8mm stock almost 60 years ago. The 4:3 aspect of capture has been retained.

• HERE COMES PUFFING BILLY - The early history of preserving Puffing Billy - 30 minutes.
  Narrated by Norm himself, this film tells the story of the early days of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. It covers the final runs of Puffing Billy from his original terminus at Upper Ferntree Gully when specials ran to the present terminus of Belgrave in 1958, the restoration of the line between Belgrave and Menzies Creek between 1958 and1962, rolling stock transfers and concludes with ballast, test and opening special trains in 1962.
  All colour.

• NARROW GAUGE - A run of 'The Beechy' on the Colac - Crowes line with G 42 - 10 minutes. The 2' 6" gauge Crowes line in the Otway Ranges was a railfan favourite. Winding its way through picturesque country, the line was the only transport to many towns when it opened to Beech Forest in 1902. Extended to Crowes in 1911, the line faithfully served the local communities until it closed in 1963. Norm takes us on a trip during 1957 with Garratt G 42 hauling a train to Weeaproinah - the terminus at the time. All colour, with titles and accompanying background music - no narration.

• TIMBER EXTRACTION - A celluloid essay on Eastern Victorian timber tramways - 18 minutesAgain narrated by Norm, this film shows how timber was harvested in Victorian forests during the first half of last century. Using an amazing variety of motive power, narrow gauge timber tramways transported logs through rugged country to bush sawmills. Shays, a Climax, tender and tank locos as well as internal combustion tractors all feature in this exceptional record of a bygone era. A mixture of colour and BW footage.

Unrepeatable film of events now long gone.