Period sitcom set in 1963 when a small branch railway line is on the verge of closure thanks to the efforts of railway boss Dr Beeching.
Featuring some of the cast of Hi-De-Hi this was another nicely period David Croft sitcom that somehow failed to resonate quite as strongly as some of his other shows and only two seasons were made.
Dr Beeching was a real life figure who did close down many branch lines during the late fifties and early sixties.
There was a Pilot broadcast 14 August 1995, which, when the first season started was reshown but with newly filmed inserts. Sherrie Hewson played the part of May Skinner in the pilot.
production details
UK / BBC1 / 20×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 14 August 1995 – 28 September 1997
Writers: David Croft, Richard Spendlove / Producer: David Croft
cast
Paul Shane as Jack Skinner
Su Pollard as Ethel Schumann
Jeffrey Holland as Cecil Parkin
Julia Deakin as May Skinner
Barbara New as Vera Plumtree
Stephen Lewis as Harry Lambert
Perry Benson as Ralph
Ivor Roberts as Arnold
Lindsay Grimshaw as Gloria Skinner
THE EPISODES
PILOT 14 August 1995
SEASON ONE 1 July – 27 August 1996
1. ALL CHANGE
2. TALKING TURKEY
3. THE TRAIN NOW STANDING
4. A MOVING STORY
5. THE LATE MR BUCKLY
6. HORSE PLAY
7. PAST LOVE
8. JOB OPPORTUNITY
9. SLEEPING AROUND
SEASON TWO 29 June – 28 September 1997
1. NO MILK FOR THE MINISTER
2. FATHER’S DAY
3. THE GRAVY TRAIN
4. THE VAN
5. LUCKY STRIKE
6. LOVE IS A VERY SPLENDID THING
7. ACTION STATIONS
8. A BOWL IN THE HAND
9. A PREGNANT PAUSE
10. TON UP
