TV rail disaster documentary late 70s / early 80s - probably BBC

[John Luxton]

With nothing better to do for obvious reasons I decided yesterday to start reading LTC Rolt's "Red for Danger" which I have just finished today.

The first time I read this was when my father bought me a copy on a visit to the Dart Valley Railway when I was about 10 back in 1970.

However, as I read this again I recall that several of the disasters including Norton Fitzwarren (1940) featured in a TV History documentary.

Drama scenes were filmed on heritage railways and of which I am almost certain was the SVR. Given the nature of the programme I am almost certain it was on BBC - but I cannot recall the title.

It is also interesting that the BBC have quite a lot of railway related programmes from the past on iPlayer - but not this one.

Does anyone remember this programme?

I seem to remember the BBC having a similar programme on mining disasters as well which was also interesting around the same time.

John

 

[ChiefPlanner]

With nothing better to do for obvious reasons I decided yesterday to start reading LTC Rolt's "Red for Danger" which I have just finished today.

The first time I read this was when my father bought me a copy on a visit to the Dart Valley Railway when I was about 10 back in 1970.

However, as I read this again I recall that several of the disasters including Norton Fitzwarren (1940) featured in a TV History documentary.

Drama scenes were filmed on heritage railways and of which I am almost certain was the SVR. Given the nature of the programme I am almost certain it was on BBC - but I cannot recall the title.

It is also interesting that the BBC have quite a lot of railway related programmes from the past on iPlayer - but not this one.

Does anyone remember this programme?

I seem to remember the BBC having a similar programme on mining disasters as well which was also interesting around the same time.

John

Yes - it was called "Rail Crash" , think it is on Youtube , a reasonable enough programme and it was even used by BR as training film when I attended Management Training at the Grove.

Part filmed on the SVR ,and inside the Quintinshill signal box.

 

[John Luxton]

Yes - it was called "Rail Crash" , think it is on Youtube , a reasonable enough programme and it was even used by BR as training film when I attended Management Training at the Grove.

Part filmed on the SVR ,and inside the Quintinshill signal box.

Thank you for the title - now I have it was BBC Horizon have now found quite a few references to it now.

But didn't realise it is was as long ago as 1972.

Many thanks

John

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Thank you for the title - now I have it was BBC Horizon have now found quite a few references to it now.

But didn't realise it is was as long ago as 1972.

Many thanks

John

Pleasure - it is on there , in 6 parts. Not seen it since 1979 and quite "of it's era" .

 

[Mag_seven]

Pleasure - it is on there , in 6 parts. Not seen it since 1979 and quite "of it's era" .

Just added it to my Lockdown "to watch" list.

 

[Dr Hoo]

A very good programme, which I was lucky enough to obtain on DVD. Well recommended.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Have just watched it. Despite a bit of artistic licence early on it is quite an interesting,well researched and presented programme. Only problem is I can only find pts2-6.

 

[GusB]

Rail Crash was on youtube in its entirety at one point, but I think it must have been taken down during one of the BBC's copyright clampdowns. It was a very informative programme.