BBC4 Indian Hill Railway Documentary

[Teaboy1]

Just finished watching this documentary on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway...........what an absolute gem of a film. Dont know who shot it but the director Ivan Smith (I think) has produced a masterpiece, not the usual dross one encounters on the Beeb namely Cash in the Attic, SuperCoook, Flog-it, etc but a compelling docu. The daily work of some antique British steam powered railway with the human element perfectly presented and totally blessed with all the stereo-types one could ever wish for.

I cannot rate this highly enough.........just hope its on i-Player for you all to see if you missed it.

Ironic end comment regarding the state owned railway are to build 5 new oil-fired locos to replace the ancient locos. Anyone know where the originals were built....? Uk, Germany, USA...?

You missed a true gem........11/10.....!!

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

I thought after watching the second episode that they guys building the new 'Lyn' for the L and B are missing a potential export market.

http://www.762club.com/762home.php

Very good programme from the single episode I saw anyway.

 

[robvulpes]

Ironic end comment regarding the state owned railway are to build 5 new oil-fired locos to replace the ancient locos. Anyone know where the originals were built....? Uk, Germany, USA...?

They were built by SLM in Switzerland (which sadly no longer exist).

Robert

 

[Teaboy1]

Yes it is listed on i-Player, so those interested may watch. I can particularly recommend the Health & Safety folk here present to watch it and see how many bad-practice incidents they can count. I managed about 12 !!.....to my untrained eye!! Liked the bit with the dynamite !!!

Yes seems logical that the Swiss would build rack-&-pinion locos. Looks pretty complex with 2 sets of gear/pistons, presumable one each for wheels and cogs!!

 

[Spagnoletti]

Liked the bit with the dynamite !!!

I say chaps, I have to put this dynamite (that I carried here in a carrier bag as a moped pillion passenger) into a hole in this rock, why don't all 12 of you gather round and look closely at what I'm doing.
No, no need to put out that cigarette.

Lord knows what their accident statistics look like, if they actually record them.

 

[TsLeng]

I thought the dynamite needs detonator.

Don't think cigarettes wold have much effect on it.

And thats called Brotherhood you see if somethings gonna happen, we are all in it! HAAHAH

However, you have to give them credit for being able to respond in that manner. Just imagine how many risk assessment forms and protection gear you'll need in the UK

 

[Spagnoletti]

You're right of course a detonator would be required, I've been watching too much Tom & Jerry with the kids

The comparison of the safety cultures was one of the most interesting things about the program, I think in the previous program there was a lady mechanic using a grinder wheel while wearing a sari. The idea of doing risk assessment, method statements, change control etc just seemed to be totally absent.
This is of course a country where people travel on the roof of the train if it's full...
Goodness knows how many H&S, Union, police etc etc would jump on you if you tried to work like that in the UK.