BBC on Beeching Report (video)

[maniacmartin]

Found this on iPlayer today...

Ian Hislop Goes off the Rails -

Ian Hislop takes a look at the notorious Beeching Report of 1963, which led to the closure of a third of the nation's railway lines and forced thousands of people onto the road. (R)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00drtpj/Ian_Hislop_Goes_off_the_Rails/

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It dates back to 2008~ I think. Certainly a very good production from one of the best presenters the BBC has. It's also available on YouTube in six parts - the links can be followed beside each video, the first one's here.

 

[Pink]

Thanks for the youtube links matt

 

[ACE1888]

one of the best rail related programmes ever

 

[Morgsie]

I have downloaded it and I will be watching it at some point soon

 

[SqUaShIe P]

Just watched it now; Very interesting.
Cheers for posting that maniacmartin.
Im not looking to open a can of worms but I don think until we get a government with some common sense, Our railways will always be far from perfect.

 

[mr williams]

It was a very good documentary but it left me wondering about the question that wasn't asked or answered, ie how much were rail fares and journey times in the early 1960s compared to coaches and what was the cost of private motoring eg the price of petrol/car tax etc.

 

[Firesprite]

It was a very good documentary but it left me wondering about the question that wasn't asked or answered, ie how much were rail fares and journey times in the early 1960s compared to coaches and what was the cost of private motoring eg the price of petrol/car tax etc.

I do know that when the Somerset and Dorset closed. The bus
service that replaced the train between Blandford and Bournemouth
took much longer (2 hours) and the bus fare was double the rail fare.

 

[CarltonA]

Pedantic: the report was called "The Reshaping of British Railways" not "The Beeching Report" I believe. Not that that matters. It had a very serious and unfortunately permanent impact on the nation.

 

[Shaky]

One of the best reports I have ever seen re: Dr Beeching. Must admit I do like Ian Hislop anyway. Always easy to listen to if you ask me.