Flockton Flyer, The (ITV 1977, David Neal, Peter Duncan)

Family drama The Flockton Flyer focused on Bob Carter and his family who take over the running of the Flockton – Lane End railway line. The Carter’s had just lost their car repair business and saw moving into the old station as a way to restore the line and it’s engine, The Flockton Flyer of the title, to it’s former glory.

Along the way they tangle with people who want the line closed and even crooks. Season two saw mum Kathy off the scene (supposedly having gone to Canada) and a move from the station to the village of Crowcombe otherwise it was business as usual.

A good natured series with a sprightly theme tune and entertaining playing from the cast. Much of the series was filmed on the West Somerset Railway between Quantock Hills and Exmoor.

Guest stars on the series were quite prominent too and included the likes of Patrick Mower, Harry Fowler, Michael Ripper, Anthony Sharp and Gerald Harper.

production details
UK / ITV – Southern / 12×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 18 April 1977 – 13 February 1978

Writer: Peter Whitbread / Music: Jugg Music / Production Design: John Dilly (Series 1), Gregory Lawson (Series 2) / Executive Producer: Lewis Rudd / Producer and Director: Colin Nutley

cast
David Neal as Bob Carter
Sheila Fearn as Kathy Carter (Series 1)
Anthony Sharp as Commander Frost
Peter Duncan as Jimmy Carter
Gwyneth Strong as Jan Carter
Annabelle Lanyon as Jessica Carter (Series 1)
Catlin Strong as Jessica Carter (Series 2)
Geoffrey Russell as Bill Jelly
Margaret Wedlake as Althea Frost

THE EPISODES
SERIES ONE 18 April – 23 May 1977
1. BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE
2. GAME SET AND MATCH
3. PULL THE OTHER ONE
4. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES
5. OO DO YOU SUPPOSE WILL GET THE MEDAL?
6. I NAME THIS SHIP

SERIES TWO 9 January – 13 February 1978
1. RACE YOU FOR IT
2. READY WHEN YOU ARE, MR CUTLEY
3. WHAT A LITTLE BEAUTY
4. A QUESTION OF HONOUR
5. OP IT
6. A LITTLE BIT OF SOMEWHERE