The portrayal of steam in the media

I noticed that too! But could imagine the Red Tops absolutley tearing into the Beeb if there was so much of a mention of JS appearing in last nights program. Going back to window less carriages wasnt that somthing pioneerd by a certain O.V.S. Bulleid with his Tavern Cars?

 

I think it was BBC4 that had a documentary supposedly about the HST but actually more about the "This is the Age of the Train" marketing campaign that accompanied its introduction which featured Saville quite extensively - and aired less than a month before his true nature broke. Doubt that will ever be repeated!

Steven

 

I noticed this a while ago when traveling from Totnes to York. I guess lots of passengers prefer to see the countryside or townscapes on a tv or laptop screen instead of in real life. Maybe that's why programmes such as Michael Portillos' are popular.

 

Manchuria Express (Ch4 1989) with Maggy Whitehouse (daughter of Patrick Whitehouse)



Very watchable (narrow gauge, RM pacifics and various chinese types) but the shed scenes from 22:45 onwards is simply breath taking.

 

"The Train Now Departing" is brilliant. Wore the VHS tapes of the series out when I was a kid (when it goes green at the top and you had to use 'tracking' to find the picture again). The Long Drag episode is excellent because the future of the Settle to Carlisle line is still in doubt as of filming, and it makes you really appreciate how lucky we all are to still have it.

 

Thanks due to Michael Portillo.

 

Going back to that great 80s series, Great Railway Journeys of the World, I'm sure many will remember the last episode of the series, "Changing Trains" with Eric Robson of "Gardeners Question Time" fame. As well as featuring some historic footage at London Victoria at the time the "Night Ferry" service was wound up, there's some entertaining stuff in Switzerland, (Blonay to Chamby and the Harz Mountains), and many other great European Luxury trains which sadly are now just memories. It's available on YT in various parts. Here's a link to Part ONE

 

And the RSH at Castle Donnington was still in use, amazing to think the 58 was BR's most modern type 5 at the time yet a little 0-4-0 saddle tank was still being used as shunter.

 

Preferably both smoke and slip. And make sure there's plenty of loose steam around. I recently drove for some background shots to what TV types call OOV (out of vision narration). Drain cocks open, crack the blowdown valve a gnat's, stuff an oily rag into the firebox and overcook the pull-away so as to smartly shut off the resulting wheelspin. Yes it's a performance, but it's what they like.

Roger

 

It's a shame that Saville was so tied into BR Publicity at the time, as it now appears a great amount of interesting archive material risk being destroyed forever to appease the PC world, yes Saville deserves to be remembered as the monster he's now been shown to be, but let not go airbrushing history because parts of it we don't like.

 

I agree, wasn't there some contrevrsy a few years ago about a school text book airbrushing pictures of Churchill and his cigars? You shouldn't airbrush history just because it dosn't suit your current way of thinking.

 

And IKB!

 

Was he another one? I suppose in that case we shouldn't show any footage of George Best in his pomp because liked a drink.

 

I think that was my original point, the "media" will only portray steam in this badly controlled fashion.

 

Could be worse they could ask for you to do a Dan from Titfield Thunderbolt and take aim with your 12 bore... Just saying

 

Stuff looking like it's out of control looks cool, that's why movie cars do powerslides.

 

Not at all sure this post belongs here, but I noticed #hogwartsexpress is trending on Twitter. It seems today is the VIP launch of the new Hogwarts Express expansion of the Warner Brothers Studios Harry Potter tour. The WB Twitter account tweeted this short vid to promote the event. It includes footage of 5972, and pieces from WCR at Carnforth. A link to the tweet is below.

https://twitter.com/wbtourlondon/status/577711018639425536