Big Train - London to Edinburgh

From Series 1 Episode 2

[@nigelsheppard625]

14 years later, this actually feels like a fly on the wall documentary.

[@GaryM67-71]

I remember this clip from back in the day, still makes me laugh.

[@musicjunk8266]

it's a young Theresa May.

[@davidjames579]

It reminds me of The Thick Of It

[@pseudonayme7717]

@@musicjunk8266 More like Liz Truss but....same difference I guess 😄

[@musicjunk8266]

@@pseudonayme7717 yea one of them

[@johnr3552]

It might be quite a whimsical sketch but there's some top-notch acting. You can see when she says "Yes that's silly isn't it" that she doesn't really know why she's wrong, she's only guessing based on his reaction and the fact that she's made three mistakes already.

[@seriousstar5452]

John R I think the ultra-naturalistic acting in Big Train is some of the best I’ve ever seen

[@eightiesboy]

The way the camera pans in to her hand when she says 'Won't we need a giant to.....' sublime.

[@oneworldfamily]

I always used to think that about Mark Heap's acting. It is such a joy to watch his scenes.

[@Richard-r7u6c]

@Qwfwq66 This is a comedy video. P*ss off elsewhere will you. Ta.

[@Richard-r7u6c]

@Qwfwq66 Wow. Comeback of the century 🤦‍♂️

[@SongBillong]

Simon Pegg is so brilliant. He absolutely nails those little mannerisms and reactions

[@BazColne]

He absolutely does.

[@hazy33]

I'd like to know how his hair has grown back over the years, it's a miracle! 🤔

[@Zero_Ninety]

I imagine there was a conversation within the British government about HS2 that was very similar to this..

[@johnmartinez7440]

"It can go from London to Birmingham _very fast_ " "Yes, but why do we need a high-speed line for this journey?" "Well...it will be *very fast* "

[@chavzone]

"Instead of fixing the shambles that are British railways, let's build a completely unnecessary new line so we can profiteer off of the fat construction contract!"

[@thedoveston6781]

Over £100bn spent before a single track was laid.

[@KingFinnch]

@@johnmartinez7440it was all about capacity, there physically is no more space on the rails so new track is needed, and then you might as well make it fast

[@rankinlas]

And never to be going anywhere near Edinburgh 👀

[@jukahri]

"These are small. But the ones out there are *far away*"

[@staggerpace]

Same writer I believe

[@Simon_PieMan]

Yawn!

[@SineN0mine3]

​@@Simon_PieManCareful you don't swallow a fly!

[@Macho_Fantastico]

Simon Pegg's reactions are what make this sketch for me.

[@oneworldfamily]

Yeah, I love how he just runs to the door when she screams!

[@stoopid79]

Lesson 58.Sometimes acting is Re-acting. 😂

[@Johnconno]

Which ones? ('reactions')

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*This is the best acting Pegg has ever done, ever.*

[@jakobbauz]

It's both of them. Her acting is marvellous as well.

[@JohnLutherable]

lol when Pegg smiles then double checks if she's being serious

[@rooty]

The way it silently cuts to a close up of the map as her hand slowly comes down to touch the train at "a giant hand" is hysterical. Genius comedic editing.

[@BenPolaster]

yes 100%! This scene stuck in my head for 20 years!

[@nathonso_edits]

This isn't a sketch, this is actually what the UK government is like...

[@kalekold]

Especially when Labour was in power.

[@zorrodm]

​@@kalekoldagreed

[@lapamful]

@@kalekold They're all the same (size). Wake up...

[@chavzone]

@@kalekold Ah yes, because it's Labour that have sunk over a hundred billion into a rail project that still doesn't go anywhere or do anything?

[@donnadizucchero]

Oh SNAPPP!)))

[@robertblackburn752]

Punch line where her brain just overloads at the end is masterful. Utter genius 😂

[@redmondo42]

"Then won't we need a .......... *a giant* ... to push the train" 😂

[@danmcdaid]

Amelia Bulmore not getting enough love in these comments. Pegg is great, yes, but Bulmore really sells the idea of someone who is seriously quite mad.

[@danmcdaid]

"Peter Newsgarden" is a hilarious name as well

[@willie2761]

Hilarious as Alan Partridges nutty g/f , great actress

[@SamuelBlack84]

It's amazing how two people can fit into the small window of my phone. I didn't realise such tiny people existed

[@fang_uk]

Ooooh boy. I think you may wanna sit down for this Samuel… 🥴

[@DaftJok3r]

This kind of humor has so much subtlety and word play it always leaves me smiling

[@upon-fe2720]

I agree, its not so much subtle general humour, however the subtlties of the mannerisms is what I find most funny, rather than the actual joke itself. Spaced, Big Train, Hippies era Pegg was out of this world with his ability to make any scene funny purely by subtle expression, particularly with his eyes. Graham Linehan really landed on his feet casting Pegg in Big Train, the show would've been a lot more generic without the magic dust Pegg springled over every scene he was in. I selfishly wish Pegg didn't explode and join the Hollywood scene, British comedy took a huge hit when he left our shores, I was sure when I was growing up he'd eventually be a stalwart of British tv akin to Rik Mayall.

[@VCanisMajorisY]

Theresa May in Brexit negotiations with the EU.

[@daanatin]

I almost laughed but I didnt because that wasnt funny

[@DarkZide8]

@@challenger_9624 Isn't that a triggered rightwinger though? Theresa May was a conservative

[@lonewolf3314]

Actually every single politician in the world.

[@IAmPez]

@@DarkZide8 And Kim Jong-Un is the leader of the "Workers' Party of Korea" The ruling party of the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea". Treasoner was, in reality, about as conservative as Kim is a democratic worker.

[@stevecollins5487]

@@DarkZide8 no she is not She is a despicable Treasonous woman who should never have been the leader of the UK 🇬🇧 She only got there through the home office where she collected all the dirt to move up Her starting point should have been No deal we are leaving and that's that, The eu definitely do not want that.

[@Lazy_Sundae]

Is this the sketch the show was named after? 🤭

[@rollerfox88]

This is every meeting I've ever had in my professional life.

[@starkeyworksit]

Really?

[@rollerfox88]

@@starkeyworksit Really. I just can't get people to understand the concept of a high-speed railway.

[@starkeyworksit]

@@rollerfox88 haha. OK. I am arguing with my colleagues about this all the time. Everyone is against HS2 and I basically think its long overdue.

[@nilminarsacularatne]

The acting is top notch. How much is communicated to us without uttering words. How he smile like she made a joke but then gives a look like "oh shit she is actually serious" So funny.

[@tmack729]

I love that the cameraman got a shock when she screamed

[@FloraWest]

When she drops the train there's an excellent camera shake. Nice extra touch in this excellent sketch.

[@WonkyDonkey3000]

I think I'm starting to understand where HS2 went wrong.

[@andysedgley]

The answer to the HS2 conundrum is simply a train that's 400 miles long. Edinburgh then becomes a quick 2 mile run from London.

[@richardanderson8696]

'Big Train' had some absolutely fantastic sketches. A bit hit and miss, but when it was good it was really, really good. At the time, this sketch reminded me a little of Linehan's earlier 'Father Dougal and the toy cows' scene from Father Ted.

[@Griffiana]

That final scene. Nothing said, yet so much communicated. Perfect.

[@annusyapipii]

i love when he says "this isn't britain, this is a map of britain" and he pronounces it two different ways hehhehehhehehe 😊

[@elliotttalksf1825]

Big train is still one of the best sketch shows ever made.

[@aikighost]

The ming the merciless sketches were always my favourite.

[@DaveyMulholland]

She's one of the most underrated comedy actors. Her performances in 'Jam' 👍

[@alfredotebasco]

The boiler repair man sketch 😱 truly chilling

[@DaveyMulholland]

@@alfredotebasco it's always the first thing that comes to mind when I think of her!

[@wheatgrinder83]

JAM is so sick. It was both hilarious and depressing. 😂

[@Fists91]

I haven't watched/listened to jam in years but her pensive delivery here brought some of those terrifying sketches right back

[@airfixx_8952]

The entire Jam crew are absolutely awesome!

[@joelangley7974]

Dianne Abbott springs to mind..bless her

[@simonsmith7755]

Against stiff competition, might be my favourite Bg Train sketch. The initial pause at the close up of the 'giant' hand coming in has a disconcerting Jam-like feel. Love it.

[@catarinamargarido4608]

These guys were and are still are amazing comedians. It still stands the test of time contrary to other shows which need a disclaimer

[@seanmccafferty7270]

Actual footage of Nadine Dorries thought process. Good find ☺️

[@PurushaDesa]

"Channel 104? So there are 100 more Channel Fours?"

[@benleah4783]

This sums up every meeting I've ever been in with marketing professionals

[@AmericasComic]

"what is this, a train for ants?"

[@karlhinze]

Tants.

[@sledgehammer858]

I performed this sketch with my sister at Christmas as a young adult. Our extended family loved it, very fond memory.

[@arsaeterna4285]

omg did she faint at the end because she thought she was a giant lol

[@OnkelPeters]

Que Dableyou - yes, and she got confused when the giant cheque appeared. 😆

[@davidf2244]

Perhaps she thought she was very small?

[@markheywood8236]

The little man is telling me I'm a giant, but the giant cheque is telling me I'm very small. System shutdown imminent.

[@barryhercules6486]

@@markheywood8236 think that's the closest explanation yet 🤣

[@ysgol3]

@@markheywood8236 LOL that's superb - I didn't think of that. I'd always thought it was a weak ending to an incredibly brilliant and original sketch - now I don't!

[@YouTubeKnight]

I'm just here to see Simon making a run for the door.

[@pidlive]

Many, many years ago, I was on the phone to someone high up who worked in the local council offices and she couldn't understand why, when she'd faxed over a document to me, the document came out of the other end of the fax machine. She just assumed it hasn't sent. Literally and physically.

[@alexmarshall4331]

Thats radio rental!! LOL

[@amazingbollweevil]

Back in the 80's, my girlfriend had me make a photocopy of her Master's thesis. When I asked her why she needed it, she told me she had to fax a copy to her adviser. :-/

[@alexmarshall4331]

@@amazingbollweevil please Please PLEASE enlarge👉👜👈

[@rutter89]

A uni friend of mine would avoid phone calls with me if he had a cold because he didn't want to pass the virus on to me through his voice.

[@onewithsource9742]

I also wondered why the paper was still there once 😬

[@adamwhite5164]

I cannot believe simon pegg still has his hair! 25 years ago and such a high hair line. Congratulations my man

[@leedsalex]

crazy what money can buy you.

[@alexteacherfrancis]

Why did this 14 year old video appear on my recommendations? I love it.

[@JeffSichoe]

hello friend

[@maxkopfraumpoops]

WAIT is the show actually named after this sketch?!

[@colinyoung3685]

OR did the show name inspire this sketch?

[@chrislaws3051]

The only giants I know live in NYC..

[@mandarian87]

Chris Laws and Tokyo

[@darusgn]

@@mandarian87 and Busan

[@MagicTammi]

@@colinyoung3685 Nope, the show was named after the song "Big Train" which appears at the beginning of the show as background to the title credits.

[@jonnyboy4508]

Some of the best sketches ever in this show, with both seasons being both out there and fantastic.

[@theseeker3771]

I love the way Simon Pegg says :"the trains aren't pushed by people.'

[@AbrasiousProductions]

I've never heard of this show but this clip alone has convinced me to watch it🤣

[@streetsoundselectro124]

Still a fave clip of mine, missed the boat when big train was on, if you pardon the expression! Watched it a year back. Very funny

[@Shif80]

Simon’s and the camera operator’s reaction at 2:06 is class!

[@GitsumSaus]

Big Train is/was my favourite sketch show. I have no idea why nobody i know seems to have heard of it

[@snfc5uyt6n89b]

See also : Bruiser.

[@sbraypaynt]

Funniest part of the sketch is Pegg running to the door when she screams.

[@mw3586]

I feel like I've just sat in a planning meeting for HS2

[@lllordllloyd]

Every presentation to Liz Truss right here.

[@gregormcnee2370]

This is so utterly brilliant it actually hurts!!! Even still. They were all pretty brilliant 🤣💘

[@Destro7000]

The sketch the show's name comes from :) Big Train/Small Train. Love it. "There are no giants..."

[@neilgodfrey2669]

What really makes this sketch work is the fake canned laughter added afterwards. It’s good because it allows me to know when the jokes are so I can laugh along with them. Because I’m an idiot you see

[@markdinsdale4869]

Are things at home okay love?

[@qwerty8382]

Love a bit of canned laughter, has that nostalgic feel

[@TrueFilter]

It's not canned.

[@dellzincht]

Big Train was recorded on location and in studio and then shown to a live audience so it's not canned laughter in the traditional sense.

[@UPnDOWN]

Simon Pegg's timing and mannerisms in that are exceptional!

[@fang_uk]

Such a good show and SO MANY great sketches, but 3 of my favourites were the very first of the lost English Woman asking for directions, Simon Pegg teaching his kid to ride a Bike, and Hitchcock’s long-lost classic “The Working Class”. 😂 Also, who can forget what Ming the Merciless gets up to on his days off or the new owner of The Ritz insisting he wants to change the name to “The Titz” 🤣 If you like this, and never got to see it when it aired, grab yourself a copy of the 2-season DVD set. Best few quid you’ll ever spend (even the menu screens are brilliant!) Pure gold Comedy genius.

[@berserkerx7]

Such a brilliant sketch.

[@the1HLT]

Nothing beats British comedy!

[@johnhawkins2717]

This could literally be a Tory minister today.

[@glenjaques5581]

😂

[@lllordllloyd]

Pork markets!!

[@neilgodfrey2669]

Amazing how Simons hair has amazing grown back

[@MillywiggZ]

Someone tell KingCobraJFS.

[@Philosoph-ali]

I think this is actual footage of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng preparing their mini budget.

[@historex54tamiya]

She still has more intelligence than most MPs of today!

[@mattcameron9349]

I imagine this is exactly how the HS2 planning meetings went, given the results?

[@throwback19841]

Wow big train accurately predicted Liz Truss.

[@Old_Tom-u6y]

This is hilarious but extremely relaxing unintentional asmr lol

[@jasper24601]

So that’s why the show’s called big train!

[@Penguin_of_Death]

Nope! Named after the title song

[@markanthony-f1e]

Theres people in positions of power making decisions that are as thick as this

[@edmunek]

and this is kids how HS2 idea was introduced and implemented

[@cartoonhead9222]

Smartest Civil Servant

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

It's like talking to a flat earther.

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

@Brian Prior haha

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

@Brett Mitchell Oh dear.

[@ChristopherSmith-bh4sz]

@Brian Prior Yes, at least she is trying to understand lol.

[@halcyon289]

@Brett Mitchell Why ? Because it blows the big bang THEORY and therefore the THEORY of evolution out of the water. This leaves us with what ? The Bible describes a flat, fixed earth as created by God.

[@halcyon289]

@@kirkhamandy Your comment is laughable. Your arrogance is only outweighed by your ignorance.

[@davidzof]

The minister is like me when one of my colleagues is trying to explain the code they've just written ;-)

[@blackbird5634]

Robert Anton Wilson: "the map is not the territory.'' -quote keeps coming to mind. ahahahaha!

[@Jeff250lbc]

This is how I view all high speed rail meetings going .

[@dm121984]

God, I've been in meeting that feel like this; the target of the presentation not getting the differences between the demo and the reality.

[@AlexMcMonnies]

Ah so this is why Liz Truss didn't even manage two months

[@SamuelBlack84]

"Small...far away"

[@andy_robertson]

As someone who works in the rail industry, I can assure you that conversations, not dissimilar to this, have taken place with government officials

[@MikeLaczny]

Right up there wit the expert. 7 red lines......

[@gilesl]

We've all worked with people like that 🤔🤣

[@jakarnilson]

Got a real "Yes, Minister" vibe out of this skit.

[@raehik]

ARGH god this whole sketch is baked into my head

[@elijaprice]

For some reason, all I could think while watching this was "Sonia? What are your plans?"

[@WestWing99]

It's Angela Rayner. 😂

[@dr.biscuits]

And this....is how HS2 was formed!

[@musicaleuphoria8699]

A small person and a giant check was too much for the PM to adjust her mind to.

[@RoninofRamen]

Ahh, Simon Pegg looks so young in this! Even with the moustache I'd ID him (and he's 28 here).

[@benjaminwheaton9919]

Who here in 2021

[@davemcaleavey4215]

His hair has got better

[@MrGarg10may]

This is wierdly so humorous and correct. At an organisation in a meeting this could be so true. A non technical person trying to give his technical opinion saying this might sound stupid.

[@deadcarz4926]

She sounds like most politicians.

[@n00bma5ter69]

Can’t help but feel this is horribly realistic…in 2024

[@Lazy_Sundae]

Is this the sketch the show was named after?

[@fredmercury1314]

This isn't a comedy sketch it's an actual recording from inside the government.

[@jeremyhowell8235]

HS2 inception phase

[@SugarHighHeather]

That London to Edinburgh killed me. Especially that moment at the end! It's like he's a small man, this cheques huge! Are we all giants?!...faint 🤣

[@VixxKong2]

That woman seems fit to be a senator

[@elena9.7.77]

Simon Pegg's reactions 😂😂😂

[@The_Greedy_Orphan]

"What is this, a train for ANTS??!!"

[@simonthomas5367]

This is actually real footage of the HS2 negotiations. Bless the Tories.

[@jjtotheb]

Sadly you wouldn't be allowed comedy like this on the BBC today

[@odiedodieuk]

The show was called big train, it’s not just the title of the sketch… and the sketches were nothing to do with trains… except this 😂

[@davidllewellyn5168]

Absolutely brilliant!!!