Winterwatch 1963: The Big Freeze (on iPlayer)

[fsmr]

I don't know if anyone else saw the excellent Winter watch last night on BBC2 but it focused on the winter of 62/63. Lots of archive film of the railways in action keeping the coal and essential supplies moving , the interesting thing was how the coal froze solid in the steel trucks and fires had to be lit in the 4 foot to defrost the coal enough to unload them. Could that same situation arise on MGR trips today?

Also the amount of labour and ploughs in use to clear the lines
It would be interesting if those conditions returned this winter to see how modern technology and manpower could cope
Available on BBC Iplayer for 6 days here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01q9d86/Winterwatch_1963_The_Big_Freeze/

 

[DarloRich]

It happens today with ballast trains so i dont see why not!

(BTW i really enjoyed that documentary)

 

[Kneedown]

Unloading in Ratcliffe, Drakelow, Willington etc often used to take longer than usual due to frizen coal. IIRR the solution was heavy banging on the side of the HAA with the fine adjustment tool, or "brakestick" as is commonly known as.
Saw the programme last night. Was very good. Interesting to see the old Westland Whirlwinds flying about, dropping off supplies.
Hopefully it'll shut up some of those folks complaining about the supposedly "harsh" weather we're currently experiencing. I mean.... snow in winter... who'd have thought it?

 

[Harbon 1]

I want it to snow like that

Great documentary!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It is good to note that a number of interesting railway programmes have occurred or are "in the pipeline" on both radio and television.

 

[OuterDistant]

Pleased to see the credit "Designer: Ridley Scott" at the end of that '63 documentary

 

[fsmr]

Pleased to see the credit "Designer: Ridley Scott" at the end of that '63 documentary

yeh i noticed that, i guess there are not too many folks in TV and film with that name I wonder what happeded to his career LOL

It does actually credit him on his wiki Bio with the program
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridley_Scott

Snowing hard here in the East Midlands again although it will have to go a long way to beat 1963 but its trying hard