West Highland Railway 1960, A Day In The Life - BBC Archive

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Just watched this little gem of a BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) documentary from 1960 about the operation of, and the people associated with, the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Mallaig.

Very atmospheric. I particularly like the random lineside stop to pick up children for their journey to school, with Mum equipped with a ladder!

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for that, JayMac.

Thirty minutes of fascinating railway history - well worth watching.

I liked the apparently inordinate amounts of atmospheric pollution, and the broad Scottish burrs from the locals in the commentary. 

[Mark A]

Will that be the London train on the other platform at Queen Street?

Mark

[eightonedee]

Thanks Jaymac - wonderful, not least because a very short time afterwards all this would change.

I particularly like the random lineside stop to pick up children for their journey to school, with Mum equipped with a ladder!

From the name given for this stop (Lengthsman's Cottage), perhaps they were children of a railway employee based in a remote location?

[ChrisB]

And the way the returned home by being dropped by the guard into the arms of (probably) their father. Health & Safety? What's that?

[Oxonhutch]

I remember the old Fort William station - in the centre of town rather that the outskirts it is now. And that westmost platform line that continued mysteriously along the quayside. Semaphores, tokens and steam - wonderful film.

[Mark A]

After a listen, some of the audio seems to be courtesy of the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) radiophonic workshop.

Mark

*Edit** Pays attention to the credits: eats worms**