Francis Bourgeois and Chris Harris: We Saved a Train

[Russel]

Oh , come on . He is a lovely chap and doing well for himself.

That may be the case, and fair play to him if it is, I don't hold anything against anyone doing well for themselves.

It doesn't mean I can't find his squealing irritating and unwatchable though.

 

[Trackman]

That may be the case, and fair play to him if it is, I don't hold anything against anyone doing well for themselves.

It doesn't mean I can't find his squealing irritating and unwatchable though.

I've watched a video of him talking normally (so to speak) to the BBC about his rise on social media etc.
If he spoke like that all the time, I could stomach him.
I think the squealing, OTT stuff etc is his USP, if he didn't do it, he wouldn't have made it to where he is now.

 

[Iskra]

I've watched a video of him talking normally (so to speak) to the BBC about his rise on social media etc.
If he spoke like that all the time, I could stomach him.
I think the squealing, OTT stuff etc is his USP, if he didn't do it, he wouldn't have made it to where he is now.

Absolutely, but whether we like it or not, clearly a large number of people find it engaging.

'Francis' is responsible for making trains popular again, and trainspotting an acceptable hobby again for youths, of which there are now many. I think we should all be thankful for that as enthusiasts.

 

[DAH37403]

A couple of Youtube shorts in the Bo'ness diesel shed and bothy:
https://youtube.com/shorts/-tzYPy_Y8E0? ... RJViI9ESyE

https://youtube.com/shorts/KL-62m_EQWM? ... C_WfWjb-WY

DAH

 

[Forty29]

He'll probably burst into tears when the loco is started up and thrashed. That's when I'll turn off or fast forward it as will probably wait and watch all the episodes at once.

 

[Cowley]

I’m quite enjoying the clips I’ve seen. It’s probably not aimed at the likes of us but it might interest a few new people and that’s no bad thing.

 

[Harpo]

'Francis' is responsible for making trains popular again, and trainspotting an acceptable hobby again for youths, of which there are now many. I think we should all be thankful for that as enthusiasts.

Positive - Those that engage positively.
Negative - Reinforcement of enthusiast stereotypes outside of rail interests. (The number of family/friends sending me videos of his, er, excited face because I’m ‘one of them’ shows this.)

 

[Trackman]

I watched a clip today, Francis actually went describe how the engine works, it was quite interesting. In a U-turn, might watch some of it tonight.

 

[75A]

Thoroughly enjoyed the first episode tonight and i've set the Series Link for ore of the same.

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

I also enjoyed it with 37's being my favourite, and Bo'ness being my local railway where I am about to start volunteering. Good tv show overall

 

[Ashley Hill]

37025 is not a demic so how can the programme be called what it is? Perhaps they should really of tackled 25244 instead.
A lot of the programme contained pointless banter and scenes such as his inane horn impressions or changing into overalls which I felt brought nothing to the programme.
Clearly Luke is very intelligent when it comes to railways but his character just comes across as the stereotypical trainspotter the media loves, but clearly the public seem to like him.
At least someone has created a show about modern traction preservation, and if successful could perhaps lead to more (and perhaps more serious ones).

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

Hopefully.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Oh, and my other issue was Francis saying "Lets listen to the engine" being the cue for the director to smother it in incidental music!

 

[156444]

The actual engineering is interesting, but I did find the presentation of 37025 as a 'wreck' rather irritating, as well as the narrative at the beginning of the episode that Bourgeois had to to convince Harris to join him, when he is clearly already on board because they are filming the TV show.

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

This episode was better. More engineering. I thought they could have cut out the bits filmed in the airbnb, as they were a bit boring & not whatsoever related to the 37.

Also, when francis went to 'stirling', he seemed to be watching multiple class 334s (only operating on north Clyde lines)

 

[thejuggler]

I'm afraid if you look at last night's programme of the 45 minutes only a few minutes was worth watching for the engineering adpects. I think its a sign of the times with TV production that anything on location is expensive so there is very limited time. If there is not much happening on the project time has to be filled, hence filming drinking tea and talking about films they watch.

My wife watches the Welsh Chapel refurb programme and that is exactly the same. You can tell shooting time is lmiited as despite it being a project lasting months the weather or seasons don't change.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I can't help but think despite Francis'/Luke's enthusiasm and genuine interest, what we have here is (yet) another production that is more interested in the subject as a window in to what the media see's as a 'quirky' hobby for some.
In today's preservation world, those who are involved have to work to very similar high standards as applies on the 'big railway', the days of a few friends buying a stretch of track and an old loco and playing trains is long gone.

I would question if the media types would treat the subject in the same way if they were doing a series on the engineering side at any of the major running depots or works which many of us either worked in or visited back in the day? But that wouldn't make for such good TV viewing figures would it.......!

 

[Ashley Hill]

I'm afraid if you look at last night's programme of the 45 minutes only a few minutes was worth watching for the engineering adpects

This is where the fast forward button is your friend.

I would question if the media types would treat the subject in the same way if they were doing a series on the engineering side at any of the major running depots or works

Here is a link advertising an Australian programme of that ilk. The series was watchable but full of the usual fake drama, over-reacting and “but there’s a problem “ announcements.

 

[Strat-tastic]

I had a pipe dream for if I had the odd million or two going spare, of creating a documentary series and calling it 'Class 40 Overhaul - From Wreck to Trek', so this kind of fits the bill for that

.. saved myself a few quid, cheers...

 

[47403]

Oh , come on . He is a lovely chap and doing well for himself.

Ive had the privelage of meeting the guy and he was no different to you or I. We talked about locos at the SVR Gala, he was genuinely a decent lad. If we were all the same life would be boring anyway. I get the odd bit of playful stick, thinking i go on like he does but I laugh it off and make jokes about washing my anaorak and i will lend you it when you get excited by bikes/cars etc. If that bothers you, then you need to stop being so bloody precious about yourself and laugh it off. Anyway I get excited seeing 47s, ok, not to his levels but thats just his passion. Ive been known to plant kisses on 47s, so if im classed as sad, so be it.
I bet theres a few would happily take the perks hes earned from the graft hes put in, to get where hes at. Thats just my opinion, its the ole marmite scenario aint it.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Here is a link advertising an Australian programme of that ilk. The series was watchable but full of the usual fake drama, over-reacting and “but there’s a problem “ announcements.

I agree. I do watch the odd one of them if nothing else on of interest, and it is impressive to see the size of trains (freights) they run, given the distances covered, but a world away from old Blighty of course. Bit like in the US, I once had a video copy of a film of Big-Boys working in Wyoming/Cheyene, which seems to have gotten lost over the years. But this was just a film of them working hard, with sound, no interruptions from unseen voices or unwanted music. Never been able to locate a copy of same on DVD either!

 

[Big Jumby 74]

If we were all the same life would be boring anyway.

Quite so..fair point.

And a PS: Brush 4's were/are my fav diesel type, have been since the 70's, rode on several of them, and in miniature form have them in double figures, with Brush 2's hot on their heels..

Shame a couple of groups have folded in recent times, for differing and very legitimate reasons, namely the internet based 'class47.co.uk' (and I am fully aware of the circumstances in that case), but also in preservation terms the 'Stratford 47 Group' (is that the correct title?), although thankfully the locos concerned are now safe in the Wymondham area as far as I know - I may be out of date of course?

 

[DelW]

I agree. I do watch the odd one of them if nothing else on of interest, and it is impressive to see the size of trains (freights) they run, given the distances covered, but a world away from old Blighty of course. Bit like in the US, I once had a video copy of a film of Big-Boys working in Wyoming/Cheyene, which seems to have gotten lost over the years. But this was just a film of them working hard, with sound, no interruptions from unseen voices or unwanted music. Never been able to locate a copy of same on DVD either!

Most of my videos of US steam were on VHS too, and went in the bin when my last VHS capable player expired (and the picture quality was dire on a big screen too).

Pentrex did issue or reissue some of them on DVD though, as this one that I've kept. Unfortunately the only UK retailer that I was aware of, Steam Powered Video, closed in 2024.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Pentrex did issue or reissue some of them on DVD though

Thanks for the tip. Wil have a search around. Isn't there a problem though with DVD's from differing countries, some numerical coding indicating country of origin, and some unplayable on UK equipment?

PS: just noted on the Pentrex site that their products are region code free, so in theory should play ok on this side of the pond.

 

[BenBracken]

I’ve watched the first two episodes and found them enjoyable. Yes FB has an irritating persona and reinforces old stereotypes to some extent, but isn’t it a good thing that he’s using Instagram to widen interest in railways and make the hobby more accessible to others? I work in education and I’ve seen a lot more teenagers openly expressing an interest in railways and being proud of their hobby thanks to what FB has done. I also thought the programme got the point across really well that these machines are marvels of engineering and being enthusiastic about them is no different to those who like cars and motorsport, which is exactly why Chris Harris is involved!

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Yes FB has an irritating persona and reinforces old stereotypes to some extent, but isn’t it a good thing that he’s using Instagram to widen interest in railways and make the hobby more accessible to others? I work in education and I’ve seen a lot more teenagers openly expressing an interest in railways and being proud of their hobby thanks to what FB has done.

I'd agree with what you say overall. Don't take the ramblings of this old xxx too seriously...

 

[Ash Bridge]

Thanks for the tip. Wil have a search around. Isn't there a problem though with DVD's from differing countries, some numerical coding indicating country of origin, and some unplayable on UK equipment?

PS: just noted on the Pentrex site that their products are region code free, so in theory should play ok on this side of the pond.

If it states the disc is code free you should be fine so long as your DVD player is dual standard i.e. not just PAL (Europe) but also NTSC (US, Japan etc.) if it’s a later model most were. As for regional codes US was Region 1 and all of Europe Region 2 but there were mods available for the better DVD players to convert them to play all regions if desired.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

If it states the disc is code free you should be fine so long as your DVD player is dual standard i.e. not just PAL (Europe) but also NTSC (US, Japan etc.) if it’s a later model most were. As for regional codes US was Region 1 and all of Europe Region 2 but there were mods available for the better DVD players to convert them to play all regions if desired.

Thanks for the clarification. Mine's a cheapish BUSH, and after trawling through the manual, on the last page we have: compatible with PAL region 2 discs. Oh, well, may be time for a newer player!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thanks for the clarification. Mine's a cheapish BUSH, and after trawling through the manual, on the last page we have: compatible with PAL region 2 discs. Oh, well, may be time for a newer player!

For 20+ years, I've played all my Steam Powered Video and Pentrex DVDs through my various laptops* connected to 32" high-def monitor. With headphones, I keep wife's annoyance-levels to an absolute minimum!

* My current (HP Omen) laptop lacks an inboard DVD player, so I use a peripheral DVD player instead.

 

[DarloRich]

I don't think posters here are the target audience. Same with things like "train truckers". It is cheap general TV aimed at filling some space and filling in time for audiences without them having to use much brain power!