GAUGE THE ISSUE: Oh Dr Beeching, PART II - How Could You End?

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Any views or opinions expressed in this video are those of Chris Eden-Green. These are made without intention of offending anyone.
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This is a video critique. All images and footage are referenced under Section 107 "fair use" guidelines.
Oh Doctor Beeching is copyright of the BBC.
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Most of the images are from Wikipedia and licensed under Creative Commons 2.0 and 3.0, OR are in the Public Domain. All Third Party content is referenced under the US Copyright Act within Section 107's "fair use" guidelines.

[@gerry9011]

This is actually a very sweet episode, I've got to say.

[@josephmarrison4606]

This is just perfect mate. I would do it exactly the way you said it should have. If time travel existed, I would recommend you go back in time to pitch your idea for Series 3.

[@jetseekers]

God I wish I could discuss this with Chris over a pint. but Quarantine and the Atlantic don't seem to be going anywhere soon.

[@ChristheXelent]

A chat over a pint sounds like a brilliant idea. So hold the thought, there could be ideas for live streaming during lockdown

[@boxcarwillies1603]

A live stream? I suggest you call it a pint with Chris just for the sake of turning this into a running joke

[@jetseekers]

@@ChristheXelent reply to both of you. 'A Pint with Chris' sounds like a wonderful live stream regardless of quarantine. Could be even semi annually if tats all time permits

[@DennosManCave]

@@ChristheXelent How about a Virtual Pint over Zoom.... ;-)

[@WillThomas199.2]

When I first saw the thumbnail I thought it was a re-upload !!!

[@GeorgeUKCFC]

Several years ago, someone made up a distant epilogue set 25-30 years on with the line through Hatley now being a heritage railway.

[@danielpatterson9064]

I absolutely loved this. Kind of sad I can't watch this final series!

[@ValentineHolbert]

It is a really good idea, and I would really like to see that. And maybe we'll be seeing more engines for the production. Like aside from 'Blossom' pulling trains, like maybe a pre-Grouping or post-Grouping engine, or an early DMU passing by Hatley.

[@HA1LILPALAZZO]

or a big early peak giving Harry a scare as it rumbles past the signal box knocking everything off XD

[@specialfunnelstudios5523]

I think the passing loop should have been used to store the 2mt after it was withdrawn and it was preserved by the driver in training

[@lukeslocomotives]

Chris the amount of work you are putting in to making these videos during this hard time is much appreciated by us all. Keep up the great work! 👍

[@alexfogg381]

I think your version of a final series of oh doctor Beeching sounds perfect.

[@lbscsproductions]

Omg i thought by the thumbnail it was the same but i saw part 2 and i immediately got hyped

[@jakeandzack5763]

Wow. You sir, have some serious potential in storytelling (screenwriting, novelizing, etc.).

[@norrambyhero7867]

Seems my comment on the last vid was well placed! Really like this as the basis for the season - wraps everything up really well, with all the characters given a satisfying ending; love the ideas for Harry and Parkin. Percy's episode idea was fantastic too. I almost want to say you could give the show a slight oppressive vibe with the characters going their own ways, but the compromising ending here is really nice as you said to suit the other shows and how they went about it. One thing I'd really like is different character combos. Perhaps have Wilfred forced to fill in or train under Harry, maybe with Ethel worried for his job security. I'd adore Percy to suddenly get thrust into Blossom's cab and fill in, maybe when Arnold or Ralph fall ill? I also wouldn't mind giving Vera one or two more prominent moments instead of just seeming to be there, like coming to the rescue or using her knowledge in an emergency or some such. I remember her adeptness in the signal box was quite funny, show more of that side of her. Off of my ideas I shared, I'd love the bus company and van idea to coincide somehow - maybe instead of a train-bus race, a train-van race could offer more interesting, flexible story ideas? On the bus, maybe one of the characters even goes into bus driving by the end, like Wilfred...constantly annoying his passengers by blaring his music!

[@RailRocketRicky]

Wow! I wasn't expecting another video about Oh Doctor Beeching! However, once again, a brilliant video and I quite agree that this railway sitcom should've had a third season. Keep up the good work, Chris, and all the best. :)

[@chriskrebill1842]

This would have been an adorable ending! Now I'll have to do some more looking into this series. I could definitely see this ending, or one where the line becomes a heritage railroad.

[@user-yf4gx9lw6c]

This is wonderfully left field. Never thought I would here a railway enthusiast say the word fan fiction. Brilliant vid.

[@treaderz18]

Thank you!!! I was about 7 when this first aired and about 15 years ago managed to get the DVDs to re-watch them. Always thought the ending was really strange especially being a party and not a sad note with the connection with the Beeching report. What you have suggested though is fantastic in my opinion and would love to see it brought to life (back in the late 90s).

[@JagoHazzard]

The Waterloo & City Line was sold to London Underground for a pound, I guess as a legal formality because BR and London Transport were both publicly owned at the time.

[@ssbohio]

Traditionally, for a contract of sale to legally exist, there must be an offer, an acceptance of that offer, and an exchange of consideration (something of value). In that traditional view of contract law, the exchange of consideration marks the exact point in time when the sale takes place. Jago, I enjoy your videos. So, when are you going to do one about the Obscurington & Unknown Railway's line to Lower Nowhere & Milton Keynes? ;)

[@rafchris]

Sounds like an interesting and plausible story!

[@ewanfawkes2708]

Been thinking about some pitches for the first half of the season: Nothing to see: Fairly simply story to start us off - a package gets delivered to the station but then mysteriously goes missing, gives us a chance to have fun with our characters. On Loan: Arnold has an accident that sees him sent off work for several episodes. Ralph gets given a substitute driver from the other line who is younger and at first they get on great but over time they fall out and the young driver ends up doing something stupid that sees him getting sent away. A Man and his Van: Jack starts the delivery service but on one occasion arrives back early to find Parking trying to flirt with May. They deny everything and cause Jack to get so annoyed that he messes up the delivery service the next day (This isn't the reason the service gets cancelled but offers a chance for some funny scenes) Bust: You can slap me for that one latter - The new bus service begins just as Arnold returns to the railway, there are a few fake tension scenes with the train and bus trying to race each other and it all leads up to end where the bus breaks down and the train gets stuck causing the passengers to have to walk. There could also be a fun dynamic with a female bus ticket inspector who Percy tries to flirt with.

[@ChristheXelent]

Nice selection of pitches so far. Don't hesitate to keep going

[@ewanfawkes2708]

@@ChristheXelent Thank you for your support! I was actually wondering, had season two been better received, might we have gotten an ODB christmas special? I do also wonder, had a third season been made, if we would have seen more of the region surrounding Hatley and if other aspects of modernization would have been brought up? Maybe the final episode could begin with Blossom being withdrawn (or relocated if we're sticking to 46521's real history) and a DMU being brought in to replace it? Also I would have liked there to have been a line at some point that justifies why 46521 is even called Blossom in the 1960s? My headcanon is that it was a name once held by a local industrial locomotive that was scrapped and the names were given to 46521 as a tribute. Maybe a plotline in the penultimate episode could be Arnold and Ralph trying to salvage the name and other artifacts before the locomotive is taken away?

[@philipparker1319]

Very good effort. Having just finished season 2 your season 3 is one I would very much have enjoyed to watch.

[@hartleymartin]

I like the story-arc you proposed. Such a shame the show got canceled.

[@boxcarwillies1603]

A very nice... fanfic. No better word for it, but I still think it's a very nice idea for a final season/seasons

[@mr.classic3146]

Wow, just… wow! I like the concepts used and having more real life events play in. David would be pleased.

[@ryanhickson5333]

I enjoyed oh dr beaching only found it last year when you mentioned it briefly in a video on your channel (I wasn’t even born when it was on the tv ) so when I found it I recommended it to a friend we always do Harry’s voice I’m rushed off my feet and said it ended badly what a great ending this would of been thanks Chris

[@stevenmetzger3385]

Chris E-G: you do not need to apologize for NERVES!!! 😂

[@ChristheXelent]

Morelike I had to apologise for pointing out that the show featured repeated laugh tracks in places. Roy and I had a civilised discussion about this, but he seemed in denial that anything sounded repeated.

[@lewiss626]

Omg if this could be recreated today this serious fits in perfect 😍

[@FannyLerouxTime]

This would have been amazing to see, thank you for making this video.

[@dariusneal9495]

Magnificent! When it comes down to it, our favorite shows should really take notes from there viewers without the prospect of trying to please everyone and potentially ruining a broadcast because like this this would have been incredible. This is the definition of REDEMPTION.

[@LolLol-xy4rh]

Like no 102 and the episode of gauge the issue made me cry

[@hmskinggeorgev7089]

That was pretty wholesome... I loved it

[@Philc854]

Chris, I never watched the original series in the '90s. I must have been on Mars or somewhere. But I do really like your scenario. And I appreciate all the effort and inventiveness you are putting into GTI during the lockdown. Actually, I think these are a really important commentary on railway-related issues, as well as SLIP and Sole-SLIP. Keep at it buddie. Make some more GTIs please. We all need you to keep us sane and entertained! Take care.

[@grantlassing7055]

Absolutely love it Chris you have an incredible imagination !

[@TenShine1productions]

This is sweet.

[@simontrainbrainz6038]

When will you talk about the movie “Train Quest?” Edit: I’ve seen the movie and I know it’s bad, but I want to see how HE reacts to it.

[@IAmMisterTterevel]

I just saw the trailer for that, and BOY does it looks like a low-grade Disney Channel film.

[@trainmaster35]

No, sadly, it's worse 😂😂😂😂

[@lanesanders1530]

Love it

[@Roughpup100]

Chris that was perfection and seriously if I had a TARDIS I would take you back to submit this for the show runners as I think they'd love it as yeah it fits in perfectly with the feel of the first series

[@nitro105]

Thats as well done as could have been written, great job. wish you had wrote for Croft

[@user-ds1nv9op4r]

I watched this show on DVD as a Kid. Two years ago I visited the Severn Valley Railway because I knew the series was filmed there and I wanted an excuse to visit other heritage lines and the year previous I rode behind the star loco 46521 at the Great central Railway :)

[@robertlucido3686]

You should do a gauge the issue video on the 2010 movie Unstoppable, this year is its tenth birthday

[@barryosullivan5255]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one Chris. Sort of glad it didn't turn into the preservation story arc we so often see in railway related media. Also, 2 videos in the span of a week? What trickery is this?

[@nbc_uk]

I enjoyed your ideas. There was always a charm with C&P works, and the final episode you suggest would certainly have fitted the mould. The roundabout salvation arc would also have kept the series running well. Basically, this is the ending that the show deserved!

[@fishw]

I say....make it! Though casting might be a problem nowadays. My personal highlight through this is addition is, at 10.30 and 12.30ish the picture of cars with steam roller behind, its my friends steam roller and im on the footplate stering! Great picture Sir. If possible may I have a copy?

[@class87fan54]

That sounds like a great idea. If only this had actually happened. Another thing that could be done if the time setting was moved to 1964, is have the staff constantly getting muddled up with timetables, as 1964 was the year BR adopted the 24hr clock in the timetables. And for that 10 years later coda, maybe Wilfred has gotten more intelligent, but still has that funny way of knocking on doors.

[@louisbuscarino7330]

Great video I liked this show and wish they didn’t cancel it so fast . I like all your videos I am a big fan keep up the great work from the USA

[@highpath4776]

What about the Documentarys on The Tube, Paddington 24/7 , The LNER one now on and the building of crossrail (unfinished and missed showing how the build programme unfolded.

[@Spud607]

Can you pls do a review of the 1978 Great Train Robbery? I think the railway sequences deserve more popularity than it has.

[@lukeblake7003]

Great Video as always Chris! Will there be a SLIPS on the Darjeeling B class?

[@ChristheXelent]

Hi Luke. Thanks for tuning in. There's every intention of something on the Darjeeling locos, but first we need the finance to get to India. It looks like we'll need atleast £3k to do it

[@rafchris]

Hi Chris. Sorry last night all I could muster to type was that it sounds a plausable and interesting story, which it is. I always thought there was atleast 1 more series in the storyline. I was a kid when it came out in the 90s and loved it. A possible alternative I thought about was the last series could almost document how the real SVR turned into a preserved line which could merge into a flash forward from your timeline after they end up living at the station? Interesting follow-on. The ironic thing with the SVR was that it wasn't even mentioned in Beeching's report. The reason is that the BR had already been granted permission in 1962 to close the SVR and the Bewdley to Cleobury Mortimer line did indeed close in September 1962. The Beeching Report was published in May 1963 and Bewdley to Shrewsbury closed in September 1963 and was, therefore, thought to be an early Beeching closure, which it wasn't.

[@joshuaW5621]

This is canon in my eyes. It’s far too believable to not be. It’s certainly a lot better than ending on a fart.

[@awildjared1396]

the railroad property being sold cheap is true in america as well, I think Cumbrous & Toltec 487 was sold to the C&T for a US dollar from the former Denver & Rio Grande Western.

[@andybones752]

i only just heard of oh doctor beeching the other day when i watched your first video on the topic. however i have similar series and films like it, as i'm an avid admirer of British cinema. so calling to memory the stories I've already seen and enjoyed, i can assure you that i'm nothing but confident in the scenario you've presented. also i was just wondering if you plan to continue with the train now starring?

[@shaunsconfusingmachines8402]

What you should do is a gauge the issue on experimental locomotives

[@robinforrest7680]

This was excellent Chris. And that's from someone who's never even seen the original series. I'd just emigrated to France when it came out in the UK. Guess I'll be checking out the possibilities of watching it online. Seriously, have you considered pitching this to the BBC?

[@harryconnett4353]

Do this as a fan audio series this would be great

[@paulwheeler4283]

The perfect ending

[@Sim0nTrains]

Sounds a better and realistic ending than what they actually did being honest

[@Pander1985]

You need to write this up as a script or better a novel, I’d buy it! - one thing the bus service should have reg vaney as the driver moved there after the trouble in London..

[@privatejoker5403]

In my opinion I completely agree but they all start a presentation Society and save the ivat and coaches along with 3 stations along the line along with Hatley

[@jsma9999]

What if in 1994 the Station is Reponed as Transport hub or Park and ride (What if )

[@practicalsargentsharp9490]

I think that the station would close and it cuts to the line being preserved as it was in real life

[@steamfandan9682]

I wholey agreed with this

[@trackedandtested5848]

HA love the mongrels reference there good work

[@Watermillfilms]

Good ideas here. Although I might dislike the fact that the railway keeps open, it does sound a bit more plausible than my idea of it maybe becoming a heritage railway 😂. Keep well Chris.

[@Niklas.K95]

I have the creeping suspicion i would watch everything Chris would ever produce

[@mamodsteamreturns5492]

this needs to get maid !! ide even back it to get it started

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Hey, Chris, the winter of 1964-1965 was a rather nasty one - so that bit would be quite true.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Does this mean I owe you a bottle of Spitfire?

[@Steamtostay]

Two questions- 1. Did the show ever specify the type of safeworking between Hatley and the adjacent stations? (i.e. would Harry have to run down the stairs to deliver the train staff?) 2. Could the standard consist of loco and three carriages have been broken up and clever editing / camera angles used to give the impression of two trains in the platform at a given time?

[@ssbohio]

In the series, we do see Harry giving bells on the telegraph to adjacent signal boxes. I assume that was the primary method of working. I don't recall seeing any use of train staffs or tokens in the series.

[@bazza945]

I thoroughly enjoyed the series of ODB and didn't agree with some of your assessments, but that's Life. Anyway, you earned forgiveness with your brilliant windup series "script", which would have been a great and proper ending. Thanks.

[@michaelfoerster6916]

Hello

[@Jaidencharlotte]

Any chance you could persuade BBC to shoot this supposed final series?

[@ChristheXelent]

It might be a bit difficult with Paul Shane and Stephen Lewis both being dead

[@TheSteamdriver]

@@ChristheXelent then maybe we as a community could maybe ask them to remake the show with a 3rd series using your ideas

[@rodneybates2135]

If it were to be rebooted it would be about the old characters working at a preserved station rather than a continuation.

[@Northerner_Transport_Hub]

Reboot?

[@jacobmutti1528]

that...has got to be the best fan fiction i have heard in a long while. brilliant referencing, a good cliche here and there and more impotently...a happy ending. maybe you could be asked for ideas for a new TV show. with ideas such as those, who knows what may happen.

[@fishw]

Or stroke of genius thinking Film it But as now...in preservation, have a reunion of the cast talking bout the good old days and then discuss how the Station survived etc etc. Until eventually the railway did close and preservationists came to save it Any cast dearly departed could then be filled by the "children of" What do people think?!

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

1 pound?! Yeez

[@sunshineandwarmth]

I liked your ending. Just a bit too happily ever after, wh is terribly American. Give some ppl their just desserts and it will be perfect.❤