The Train Now Standing

The Train Now Standing

1972 - United Kingdom

In the early 1960s the Beeching Report recommended wholesale closure of little-used and unprofitable railway lines and closure of local stations along those and many other routes. In the decade that followed the report more than 4,000 miles of railway and 3,000 stations were closed. But not Burberry Halt, a decrepit stop on the Milchester line of the Great Western Railway. 

Helping to preserve this little piece of old England is the station master of 30 years standing, Hedley Green, played by the incomparable Bill Fraser, late of The Army Game and Bootsie and Snudge. Still sporting his GWR uniform and a 1933 rule book, Green has little to do other than bully his young porter Peter Pringle and ensure the station is presentable, running smoothly and ready for the three trains a day that stop here. Maintenance is low and the only thing here that is automated is an old penny chocolate machine that supplies Green with a supply free bars when kicked in the right place. A veteran of the Second World War who is comfortable with the past, uneasy with the present and suspicious of the future, the only crises Green is likely to encounter are caused by the manager Mr Potts and his eventual replacement Mr Pitts. 

The series outdoor scenes were shot at Bodiam station in East Sussex, itself a victim of successive governments' cuts, but given a makeover and made to look as good as new. Series one aired on a Saturday evening at 5.10pm from May to June, 1972. Series two, the following year, was moved to a later slot on a Sunday night (9.30pm). 

British sitcom wasn't finished with the subject after this and returned to it in 1995 with the BBC series Oh, Doctor Beeching!

TV Times Article on Ian La Frenais (1973)

Ian la Frenais article

Published on February 9th, 2019. Written by Noel Onely for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Beyond A Joke tv series

Short lived sketch comedy starring Eleanor Bron and John Bird

Also released in 1972

The Bulldog Breed

A single series of seven comedies about Tom, the perennial optimist, as he wanders through life leaving chaos in his wake totally oblivious to the problems he causes for everyone.

Also tagged Britcom

Doctor In The House

Hospital comedy based on Richard Gordon's series of books, which had previously been adapted for the cinema starting with a 1954 production starring Dirk Bogarde. New medical students arrive at St Swithin's Hospital...mayhem ensues

Also tagged Britcom

My Good Woman

Wife is compulsive charity worker much to her husband's frustration.

Also released in 1972

Curry and Chips

Poorly received sitcom by Johnny Speight who attempted (and many would say failed) to highlight the stupidity of racism.

Also tagged Britcom

And Mother Makes Three

Almost a direct follow on from the BBC's hugely popular Not In Front Of The Children starring Wendy Craig who was in an almost constant state of domestic discord...

Also tagged Britcom

Clarence

Ronnie Barker plays a short sighted delivery man who falls in love with a maid and moves to the country with her.

Also tagged Britcom

Black Arrow

Teenage adventure series. Black Arrow was a lone figure of mystery who protected the poor against greedy warrior barons fighting for power and influence throughout the 15th century Wars of the Roses.

Also released in 1972

The Dustbinmen

The Dustbinmen were led by their foreman, the foul-mouthed, beret-wearing Cheese and Egg, and accompanying him on the Corporation Cleansing Department dust cart were an equally obnoxious crew of work-shy, housewife-lusting individuals.

Also tagged Britcom