Oh Doctor Beeching!
The sitcom was set in the small fictional branch line railway station of Hatley, which was threatened with closure under the Beeching Axe. The filming took place at Arley station, where a row of Victorian railway cottages were built in the yard as a film prop. During filming services would not call at Arley at certain times.
Filming mainly involved Ivatt 2MT 46521, which was named 'Blossom' by cast member Stephen Lewis during a ceremony at Kidderminster town station on Monday 17 February 1997.[2] Carriages used in filming included TSO 4345, BSO 9220, RMB 1853[3] and BSK 34562. Hugh McQuade noted in SVRSevern Valley Railway News that "I understand the BBC were looking for red and cream coaches in rundown condition to represent the 1950s-60s state of the railways. Well, at the time, the Mark 1's were almost brand new and branch lines would probably not have seen them in great numbers as pre-nationalised ex-main line cast offs would have predominated. Never mind - it's a comedy, not a documentary."[4] Wagons used included GWR Conflat 39860 and LMS Goods Van 271726.
Both series are available commercially and can be found on YouTube.
Gallery
See also
List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway