BBC Documentary 'The Railways'

[transportphoto]

I'm really enjoying tonight's programme, seems to be alot more pro-railway... the bit about the one-under was especially hard to watch and the bit waiting outside the ASDA store.

TP

 

[musicking1306]

Ahhh wondered how long it would take to get some rail enthusiasts on here!

 

[rebmcr]

I'm only about 15 mins in on catch-up, but the Northern driver has the most fantastic attitude!

 

[christopher]

"I've hit dogs, cats, foxes, I've hit everything. Never hit a magpie though too clever"

Laughed a lot at that!

 

[crispy1978]

I'm only about 15 mins in on catch-up, but the Northern driver has the most fantastic attitude!

Great attitude. Great, dry, sense of humour!

 

[KT530]

Excellent episode

 

[Muzer]

Simple question, but I didn't think to look at the front until it was too late - what class was the Northern Rail train that was packed where they focused for a short time on the train manager (the one who was talking about people's regular toilet patterns, etc. )? It had plug doors but the older-style rounded-square buttons.

 

[Manchester77]

This episode was better than the last one IMO

Aw that poor officer wouldn't like to be in his shoes
The cable theft thing was all very dramatic for them onl to find the NR people

Was the rail enthusiast anyone on here?
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Simple question, but I didn't think to look at the front until it was too late - what class was the Northern Rail train that was packed where they focused for a short time on the train manager? It had plug doors but the older-style rounded-square buttons.

I was defiantly a sprinter

If it has plug doors it'll have been a 155 but it didn't look like it had I thought it was a 150

 

[IanXC]

Poor FCC - having to deal with those numpties...

I don't think FCC dealt with any of tonights numpties! First Transpennie Express and Northern Rail run services on the line in question.

 

[rebmcr]

It was defiantly a sprinter

If it has plug doors it'll have been a 155 but it didn't look like it had I thought it was a 150

Yeah, definitely a 150/1, although they kept using 185s for the exterior shots — I guess they look more dramatic at speed.

 

[trainophile]

They packed a lot in tonight didn't they? A bit like some of the trains .

Great programme with pretty much every aspect of rail travel covered. Bring on the next one.

 

[balne-wonderer]

On the part where the Police speed through Leeds to try and catch a cable thief that turned out to be trespasser along with an innocent bystander. That is about 5 minutes from where I live!

About 2 minutes down the line is Cross Gates station, my local.

 

[Qwerty133]

Has the driver (Jason) moved to xc a I sure I've seen him before and have never travelled with northen.

 

[Muzer]

Yeah, definitely a 150/1, although they kept using 185s for the exterior shots — I guess they look more dramatic at speed.

We must be talking about different ones, it definitely had plug doors from where I was standing, unless I'm going crazy

Perhaps they used a shot of a different train when it was at a station, in which case, that would explain my confusion.

I much preferred this programme to the previous one.

 

[hedpe]

Im a bit dissapointed with this series so far. It's good, but it doesnt compare with The Tube documentary series. That was pretty much spot on.

 

[D365]

This episode was better than the last one IMO

Aw that poor officer wouldn't like to be in his shoes
The cable theft thing was all very dramatic for them onl to find the NR people

Was the rail enthusiast anyone on here?

I do agree in a way, most of the King's Cross staff didn't endear themselves well. Particularly enjoyed the bananas and other personalities this time! The section on cable thefts was interesting after the programme last week. Whoever the enthusiast was, show yourself!

It was definitely a Sprinter

If it has plug doors it'll have been a 155 but it didn't look like it had I thought it was a 150

All the Sprinters shown had end doors so they weren't 150s for sure. Probably all 155s.

Some fun quotes too. And 37 enthusiasts. Switching between lots of trains. A good watch, all in all!

 

[DDB]

It was much better than the first episode. As a member of the public I thought the fatality was very well done being poignant without intruding into private grief. I can understand though if you are railway staff and have been involved in one that it would bring back unpleasant memories.

It was interesting to see what the people dressed in orange in the rain have been doing because obviously they have to stop and stand out the way when I go past them on a train at 5mph.

It was so much better than last week it makes me wonder why they opened with last weeks episode. Maybe because it was London.

DDB

 

[balne-wonderer]

I do agree in a way, most of the King's Cross staff didn't endear themselves well. Particularly enjoyed the bananas and other personalities this time! The section on cable thefts was interesting after the programme last week. Whoever the enthusiast was, show yourself!


All the Sprinters shown had end doors so they weren't 150s for sure. Probably all 155s.

I've seen him a few times, come on, reveal all someone.

 

[christopher]

"Leeds train station remember sitting on a train due to depart for an hour then cancelled because of snow. I understand now #TheRailway"

https://twitter.com/beccielouise11/status/303992147168874496

Just shows...

 

[richw]

Yeah, definitely a 150/1, although they kept using 185s for the exterior shots — I guess they look more dramatic at speed.

definitely not a 150 as mentioned already it had plug doors. The female conductor seemed a nice lady. Gave a real thought when she said she had a family death and passengers were making a 3 minute delay a big thing.

 

[Starmill]

"I've hit dogs, cats, foxes, I've hit everything. Never hit a magpie though too clever"

Laughed a lot at that!

"There's always one brother who gets on your tits!"

 

[crispy1978]

I couldn't believe how many people seem to trespass on the railway. It really is a wonder there aren't more fatalities than there already are.

Interesting concept on the bloke in the control centre putting comparisons on France and USA.

 

[Starmill]

We must be talking about different ones, it definitely had plug doors from where I was standing, unless I'm going crazy

Perhaps they used a shot of a different train when it was at a station, in which case, that would explain my confusion.

I much preferred this programme to the previous one.

They were constantly switching between a 143/4 and a 156 or something as well, when the beer train was delayed.

 

[Darren R]

Simple question, but I didn't think to look at the front until it was too late - what class was the Northern Rail train that was packed where they focused for a short time on the train manager (the one who was talking about people's regular toilet patterns, etc. )? It had plug doors but the older-style rounded-square buttons.

Looked like a 158 to me - wasn't the service shown a Leeds - Man Vic? Mostly 158s on these services I believe

 

[trainophile]

They were constantly switching between a 143/4 and a 156 or something as well, when the beer train was delayed.

That beer business confused me, as when they got off for a pint in each pub presumably they would have to get on the next train. There must be a helluva lot of trains on that route. Helluva lot of pubs too, judging by the state of them.

 

[Crossover]

Surely the man sold the £301 ticket coming back tomorrow on the friday afternoon should have been sold an anytime single outbound and a super off peak single for the return

My feeling (and my Dad's who watched it with me) is he could have, at that point, offered the suggestion of a non-peak train, rather than let the poor guy get wound up about the cost. One of his colleagues did at another point in the episide

Cringed at the interview process - but it's the same everywhere. Some HR guru has decided that those are the best type of questions.

Should have let Laxman keep his collection.

On the first part I agree - I hate questions like that!

On the second, I concur!

Just watched it and feel sorry for the crying young lady who forgot there ticket.

I'm afraid that's the way it goes. No ticket, no travel, as others have said. Doesn't matter how much you make a scene, it isn't going to change the fact you either don't travel or need to buy a new ticket

They did have a bit of a dig at FCC too, namely the bit where the EC staff member was asked about his experience of using First Capital Connect to get to work.

I loved his response of "Bearable"

He should have just said what everyone else was really thinking :P

The good old ale trail!! What a flaming nightmare that must be to a) travel on, b) drive, c) conduct and d) police/security

Not seen this weeks episide yet, but it certainly sounds interesting.

The only thing I can say was the intro titles last week showed a female Northern guard (blonde-ish hair) who I had on a Harrogate Loop working only a few days before the first programme aired!
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They were constantly switching between a 143/4 and a 156 or something as well, when the beer train was delayed.

That would be a 144. We don't have 143's here, they are consigned to the south (we have enough Pacers up here already!!!)

Looked like a 158 to me - wasn't the service shown a Leeds - Man Vic? Mostly 158s on these services I believe

Leeds to Manchester Victoria via either route (Dewsbury or Bradford Interchange) is formed of whatever Neville Hill can chuck out. My train this morning was a Man Vic to Leeds and was a 144/142 lash up. A later one was a 144. I have seen 142/158 lash ups, and the rest! Not sure I have ever seen a 153 on it though (they I wouldn't be surprised at all if it had been at some point!)

 

[willc789]

Really enjoyed the Northern driver!

"We provide a service in the face of adversity"
"What's the adversity?"
"...the public generally"

Nail. Head. Hammer.

 

[richw]

The only thing I can say was the intro titles last week showed a female Northern guard (blonde-ish hair) who I had on a Harrogate Loop working

she came across as a decent character who seemed to know most of her passengers. I wonder how much this was for the cameras though

 

[rebmcr]

definitely not a 150 as mentioned already it had plug doors. The female conductor seemed a nice lady. Gave a real thought when she said she had a family death and passengers were making a 3 minute delay a big thing.

Ooops, misread 'manager' as 'driver'. That one was indeed a 158.

 

[theageofthetra]

Tonights episode was a great improvement. The beer trail train really does look like a disaster waiting to happen though, shame as it was probably started as a genuine good idea to help rural pubs survive and increase ridership.