Produced in conjunction with the South East Film and Video Archive, the release celebrates the 200th anniversary of the invention of the steam locomotive by Cornishman Richard Trevithick.

The films included on the DVD are both professional and amateur and were discovered by archivists at the record office.

With the co-operation of the film makers and the South East Film and Video Archive they have been digitised and restored for use on the DVD.

Bill Gage, assistant county archivist, said: “The earliest film dates back to 1897 and is the work of George Smith, a film pioneer who made fiction and non-fiction films.

“The short film shows the entry of an immaculate steam locomotive of the former London, Brighton and South Coast Railway heading a train entering the south side of Hove Station with all the normal hustle and bustle of passengers trying to board it all wearing the typical Victorian fashions of the day.”

Bill added: “The working of the rural Pulborough to Petersfield line is well represented with unique film showing the operation of this country branch line in the days of steam.”

Shot in the 1930s by Eric Sparks of Worthing it provides a fascinating portrait of the rural stations of Fittleworth, Petworth and Midhurst with its junction with the Chichester branch.

“The film takes us on a journey behind the Midhurst boat train as it travels along the line from Pulborough to Midhurst. Further film covers the western portion of the line to Petersfield travelling via Elstead and Rogate.

“Filmed by the late Mr Merritt of West Lavington, the footage shows everyday station scenes concluding with the final passenger train, which ran on the day following the official closure of the line on February 6, 1955.”

Bill added: “Memories will be stirred by a compilation of film shot by Derek Osborn, formerly a signalman at Brighton. The scenes include steam specials in the 1960s together with journeys on the Horsham to Guildford line and Puffing Billy at work on the much-loved Hayling Island branch.”

The only footage known to exist of the eccentric Selsey Tramway also features.

“Once described as the noisiest and most rickety line in England, this film shows the railcars on this antiquated one-track railway, leaving Chichester Terminus Road station and arriving at Selsey.”

Rare colour footage of steam at Brighton shed in the 1930s will also delight enthusiasts with rarely-seen film of the two ex LBSCR 4-6-2T tank locomotives in action.

The visit of the London and North Eastern Railway locomotive The Great Marquess with an enthusiasts steam special to Chichester in 1967 is also included.

Bill added: “The final days of steam in the region are recorded with memories of the Victorian tank engines on the network of railways on the Isle of Wight together with steam express passenger engines of the former Southern Railway leaving Waterloo Station with trains for the South West.”

Southern Steam is available at £14 from the Record Office, plus £1.50 for p&p or from all libraries in West Sussex. It may also be bought on-line from the WSCC E shop. Telephone West Sussex Record Office on 01243 753600 for further details