BBC TV - The Railway: Keeping Britain on Track

[whole diary]

[Electric train]

I though it gave a good impression of the life for staff at a major station,

[TonyK]

I feel sorry for staff there having to put up with a real life David Brent. Their faces in that presentation said it all.

Be kind to him. It can't be easy for him, up there at the blunt end.

[JayMac]

I feel sorry for staff there having to put up with a real life David Brent.

That's who the Ops Director immediately reminded me of as well!

[rogerpatenall]

I was unimpressed by pretty much the whole bunch - and, frankly, bored throughout. But I watched to the end. Is it a series? If so, my Tuesday evenings have magically become free for the next few weeks. (Well - next Tuesday I am at the Emirates, anyway, for some real action)
Last time I looked forward to a series, was the Tube. On the day of the first programme I was at a meeting at 55 Broadway and was told that senior management had seen the whole series, and approved it for showing. I knew then that it was going to be a very anodyne plug for the Underground. (Although, in truth, I did watch much of the series). Cynical?, well at my age I allow myself that.

[JayMac]

I was unimpressed by pretty much the whole bunch

What? Even the singing, lyrics mangling gateline staffer? 

[John R]

Interested in the person who turned up on a Friday "coming back tomorrow" and was quoted over 300 for a return to Newcastle.  He looked disbelievingly, but failed to ask whether he could do it any cheaper.  Two singles who have been cheaper, especially if he was willing to restrict himself to an advance on the return. Or maybe delay until the 1819 when the cost reduces (obviously depends to some extent what time it was.)

Later in the program an interviewee is asked as to what the difference between good customer service and excellent customer service is (and gave a good reply in my opinion).  Maybe excellent service to the disbelieving Newcastle passenger would have been to suggest he might like to consider two singles or delay his journey. 

[JayMac]

It may be the case that the part of the episode that featured the bloke balking at the cost of the Anytime fare to Newcastle was edited for effect by the producers of the programme.

The response from the booking clerk, when matey said it would cheaper to fly; "That's your prerogative, Sir", was, however, less than helpful.

[Fourbee]

Anyone else think "Steve Number Two" was incredibly rude when being interviewed?

Cashier number 6 (please)!! 

I think that was him.

Sometimes I get First Capital Connect.

[Fourbee]

I feel sorry for staff there having to put up with a real life David Brent. Their faces in that presentation said it all.

Be kind to him. It can't be easy for him, up there at the blunt end.

I did think I was being a bit harsh after I posted it. However, the comment that if they didn't comply they were going to lose their jobs did it for me (during the presentation).

You can also see the Laxman's apprehension when he tries to "convince" him to stay.

[anthony215]

I was unimpressed by pretty much the whole bunch - and, frankly, bored throughout. But I watched to the end. Is it a series? If so, my Tuesday evenings have magically become free for the next few weeks. (Well - next Tuesday I am at the Emirates, anyway, for some real action)
Last time I looked forward to a series, was the Tube. On the day of the first programme I was at a meeting at 55 Broadway and was told that senior management had seen the whole series, and approved it for showing. I knew then that it was going to be a very anodyne plug for the Underground. (Although, in truth, I did watch much of the series). Cynical?, well at my age I allow myself that.

Yes it is a series 6 episodes in total. I didnt find this 1st episode  as good as I was hoping it to be but maybe the next episode will be better.


On another note you can look forward to a second series of the tube later in the summer on BBC2

[thetrout]

I thought it showed an interesting contrast to Front Line staff. What Bruce said was quite interesting about people being in bad moods. I've personally seen him at KGX numerous times. On my most recent occasion where he was dealing with an irate passenger who had clearly walked in through the exit. She was asking him to just be civil and let her through despite her clearly being in the wrong and being rude about it too

However that Cleaner I took an instant dislike to... Especially with her comments towards First Class Passengers. The comment that the mess they leave behind I thought was a "tar with the same brush" comment. Whenever I travel on a train I have my refreshments on the table and yes will probably make a mess through the journey. But I always make sure I tidy up afterwards like throw my empty cups in the bin etc.

I also thought that Ops Manager was a bit of a pig. The way he was implying there was no room for error I thought was a little unfair. There are always going to be problems. There are always going to be occasions when things go wrong. I wasn't that impressed at all with his attitude. Lets remember also, attitude rubs onto 'lower grade' staff

[Thatcham Crossing]

Didn't anyone watch this weeks episode?

I did, and thought it was a good deal better than the first programme.

There was more "behind the scenes" stuff, including the Network Rail Control Room, teams out trying to stem floods and keep trains running, and the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) on the trail of cable thieves (including one rather comical case where they snuck up on some guys who were clearly Network Rail employees doing some night-time work!).

Some great characters, including the Asian family of station staff in Leeds, the Northern Railways driver who came across really well, and the Network Rail control room guy who owns a share in a Class 37, and was obviously and rail enthusiast through-and-through.

Finally, there was the usual collection of drunks and the like, including hoardes of middle-aged men behaving badly (and stupidly in some cases) on the "Ale trail".

[TonyK]

I saw it, and agree it was much better. We had a nice bit of philosophy from a driver - "Delivering a service in the face of adversity" was my favourite. Definitely a lot more of an insight into the nitty-gritty life of a railway, with its drunkards, broken fences, racists, tragedies, condoms, trains etc. The disruptive effect of bad weather was well explained. I'm glad I didn't give up after episode 1, and hold hopes for future episodes.

[Ollie]

Next week: Great Western

[JayMac]

Next week: Great Western

Starring role Ollie?

Been a while since you've been on TV. 'The Gadget Show' wasn't it?