Great Railway Journey's Victoria Wood.

[Lost property]

It would appear the BBC are now screening some former journeys hence last night, one from Ms Victoria Wood who was one of the best comediennes in the business and a sad loss.

Last night's trip, from Crewe to Thurso, and a few other places, was more a nostalgic reminder of 1995 and, although possibly not a programme for the dedicated enthusiast, contained her valid comments about the railways in that era, delivered in her own inimitable style.

The stock was varied, but, some of the uniforms shown weren't going to win any fashion awards.

Be interesting to see what else they show in future episodes.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Think last night's episode (on BBC4) of "Great Railway Journeys" - Series 3 - Episode 1 (Crewe to Crewe) - first aired in 1996 - was essentially just one of a number of programmes all celebrating the late Victoria Wood, who would have been 70 this Friday. Not sure, however, if the BBC are planning on airing any more episodes from the various "Great Railway Journeys" series anytime soon.

 

[Lost property]

Think last night's episode (on BBC4) of "Great Railway Journeys" - Series 3 - Episode 1 (Crewe to Crewe) - first aired in 1996 - was essentially just one of a number of programmes all celebrating the late Victoria Wood, who would have been 70 this Friday. Not sure, however, if the BBC are planning on airing any more episodes from the various "Great Railway Journeys" series anytime soon.

That's a good point given the programmes that followed in memory of her.

But it was nice whimsical viewing and, hopefully, others will follow

 

[Bletchleyite]

All 6 from that series are on the iPlayer, I just watched the Victoria Wood one.

I love that episode, it just sums up the slightly depressing feel there was in the North in the mid 1990s when I first started exploring the railways on my own. Don't know if there's a DVD that's available with it on? I'd love a permanent copy.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

All 6 from that series are on the iPlayer, I just watched the Victoria Wood one.

I love that episode, it just sums up the slightly depressing feel there was in the North in the mid 1990s when I first started exploring the railways on my own. Don't know if there's a DVD that's available with it on? I'd love a permanent copy.

Not quite right. The iPlayer currently has available all 6 episodes from series 2 (including Palin's Irish jaunt) plus Palin's original journey (episode 5 from series 1) and the Victoria Wood one being discussed (which was the first episode of series 3). That's the lot right now.

Agreed about the overall mood of Victoria Wood's journey, uncertainty hanging over everything in the lead up to privatisation.

 

[Peter C]

I watched this on Wednesday and I thought it was brilliant - I'm a big fan of Victoria Wood's work and this was probably one of the best railway documentaries (not made specifically for a railway enthusiast audience) I've seen in a while. I'm also a fan of Brief Encounter, and it was sad to see Carnforth in such a state as it was at the time. The fact that the journey went from Crewe all the way round to Crewe again is very Victoria Wood, but they managed to get a lot in!

-Peter

 

[Andy Pacer]

I also watched it the evening it was aired on BBC4 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting it and was just flicking through the channels in my hotel room, having spent the previous couple of days doing Kyle of Lochalsh and a few stations on that line and also the far North line, so quite a coincidence.

 

[yorksrob]

A nice chance to see an excellent programme again. A lovely postcard of Britain as well as the railway.

It's fairly nostalgic for me as it was filmed the year before I made my way oop North. It does seem prophetic as the railways endure another period of uncertainty.

 

[yoyothehobo]

i watched this so many times when i was younger. Searched for it for ages as i used to have it taped on VHS!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not quite right. The iPlayer currently has available all 6 episodes from series 2 (including Palin's Irish jaunt) plus Palin's original journey (episode 5 from series 1) and the Victoria Wood one being discussed (which was the first episode of series 3). That's the lot right now.

Agreed about the overall mood of Victoria Wood's journey, uncertainty hanging over everything in the lead up to privatisation.

It wasn't just the railway, it was basically the whole North. The cities were grim and gritty yet exciting, and the seaside resorts were run-down and sad, with package hollibobs to Spain having overshadowed them.

While the railway seems to be sitting in another such nadir (though in a slightly different way - overcrowding is much more likely than empty trains) places like the seaside resorts just don't have that same sort of downtrodden feel now.

 

[yorksrob]

I wonder if you can still buy a tartan Nessie anywhere !