GAUGE THE ISSUE: Oh Dr Beeching! What Have You Done?

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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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[@MagiTailWelkin]

From what I recall from It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Sergeant-Major Williams may have gotten the dates wrong, Parky would have been conceived a month after William's relationship with Parky's mother ended.

[@thomasoates3003]

In one episode, it's revealed that Parky and Williams have different blood types, meaning that Parky cannot be Williams' son. Many viewers are not aware of this as the episode in question was lost until very recently.

[@petervenn5931]

@@thomasoates3003 Fathers, Mothers and sons regularly have different blood groups, as do siblings.

[@thomasoates3003]

@@petervenn5931 I was quoting the logic given in the episode.

[@JintySteam1]

I have a few interesting things to say about this. Once when I visited the SVR me and my friend visited Arley and first of all its a suprise when you enter the station if you expect anything like you see on the show. Not buffet. The station master told us a few things. You are right about the mock-up cottages looking real. The station master told us a story once of when two visitors to the railway asked if they were for sale (thinking they were real) and he asked them "would you like to look around the back?" He took them round the back of the cottages to see just scaffolding and plaster. XD Apparently at the end of the 2nd series there was thoughts of making a 3rd, and the mock-up houses were "apparently" taken to Kidderminster in pieces, waiting till they were given the word. But then the BBC told the SVR there wasn't going to be another, so the set got broken up. Also the signal box was also used for real. They squeezed in a camera behind the lever frame and shot from there.

[@Made1984.]

I was amazed to find out that the railway cottages were fake they looked so real in the series. That`s a funny little story about the two visitors who wanted to buy one of them only to be shown what they really were.

[@nathanchan4653]

I was hoping for the “Gauge The Issue” on Dr Beechings as in the actual person who hated steam locomotives, got rid most steam locomotives to ram up diesel locomotive traction and closed all branch lines. Oh well maybe another time it will happen....in BR days in the 1960s!

[@ejcmoorhouse]

Such is the effect of the real Dr Beeching on the modern railway both good and bad that I think Chris might have a hard job putting together a fair and balanced piece within a GTI length issue. A lot of innovation occured in BR while Beeching was in the top job that I think he has had a bit of a bad press as a lot the changes that happened under him has stood the test of time and been a good thing. While he is best remembered for his axe the running of the steam loco fleet and the closer of a lot of line had to happen anyway and to an extent its a good thing the Beeching axe ensured that the public valued the railways left behind that it has become polically unthinkable to close them and those that Beeching did close have ensured that the presevation movement in Britian is a strong as it is without as many closed lines there wouldn't have been as many steam engines around today. As you can see by my long comment to simply regard Beeching as the villian is wrong as he ensured the servival and planted the seeds for future growth from the introduction of the frightliner train concept to the rebranding of BR into corapate blue and the adoption of the double arrow logo that has outlived BR Beeching shouldn't really be seen as a villian but as a person that positioned the company well for future growth.

[@nathanchan4653]

ejcmoorhouse I understand that, sorry about assuming that Dr. Beechings is a villain to BR. It is just that various keyboard warriors, railway enthusiasts who believe Dr. Beechings as a villain to BR hence the reason why the debate will NEVER end. No wonder why various armchair keyboard railway enthusiasts are NEVER happy with what the heritage railway do and try their best, it never have been for a long time.

[@iainyoung6878]

Beeching closed precisely 0 miles of railway and 0 stations. Some villian.

[@sockshandle]

@@iainyoung6878 his report closed them not he himself

[@nathanchan4653]

ejcmoorhouse Then why did Earnest Marples INTRODUCE Dr Beechings in the first place?

[@hurstinator]

10:10. BBC have done this way too often. The show that immediately springs to mind is robot wars (recent series)

[@jameswells6003]

Incidentally, in the Dad's Army sequeal 'It Sticks out half a Mile' it is confirmed that Wilson is Pike's father.

[@jameswells6003]

@Baker Lyric how do you "watch" a radio series?

[@TheAmateurBasher1984]

It may not be right up there with all the other great BBC comedies, but still a classic in my eyes, nonetheless; well worth it for the railway action alone. I was still too young to watch it at the time it was broadcast (namely owing to the adult humour), but was able to catch one or two episodes on here before the copyright matter got in the way... Thumbs up for another good GTI!

[@steamsearcher]

1964 we as a family steamed over the Pennines to Lowestoft so got to experience Real Trains. I can still smell the long tunnel involved. Yes caught steaming into Manchester Central without a camera.... I WAS TOO YOUNG. 1966 1967 1968 saw us in Zambia and a daily walk to school past the running sheds at then Broken Hill. I will watch anything with a Steam Locomotive in it. Love David and Lily.

[@damascus6478]

Su Pollard dancing to "America" from West Side Story was hilarious. I liked the show, not as much as Hi-De-Hi, but the BBC pulled that off KZbin.

[@lionharehart]

I remember that, she had returned from the movies with the American soldier.

[@FannyLerouxTime]

Thanks for this! I'm one of a few who loves this show. I do think at the end of series 2 they thought they were going to make more, thus, the odd ending. However, ending like it did I always thought showed how quick the axe came down on the branch lines once the report began to be implemented. I'd still love to know what series 3 would have held for us though.

[@Made1984.]

Watched this as a child when it first aired and even though some episode plots are not the greatest and the catchphrases repetitive I was impressed with the settings they did make an effort. I remember when the second series aired I seen the first three or four episodes but never seen anymore until the show was released on Dvd years later and your video explained the reason why I never seen them thanks to the BBC although you could appreciate the change in schedule after the Princess Diana tragedy. ODB might not have been the best sitcom to come out of the UK but it has a few laughs in it and it amazes me that it has been viewed by people in other countries but that`s the power of the internet. Enjoyed your review on this forgotten nostalgic sitcom it was interesting to hear how it was made.

[@warrenlehmkuhleii8472]

Oh the comments are going to be good! Oh wait, he is taking about the show, not the actual guy... still the the comments will be good.

[@2511dhall]

Loved it back then. One episode was delayed as it was the day Diana died.

[@ginnylorenz5265]

I personally love "Oh Dr. Beeching". Wonderful actors, sets, costumes. Some laughs, some darkness, a good deal of heart. Jolly fun show. Sorry it ended. p.s. I find Su Pollard hilarious and darling. Best to all from San Diego, California.

[@57305northernprincess]

Theres some Oh Doctor Beeching scripts in the Engine House along with one of 46531's Blossom nameplates

[@vinnie_2000]

I love this show watched with my grandpa evry weekend 😂

[@TickledFunnyBone]

I have seen quite a few last of the summer wine episodes and having now had a chance to see this, there is someone in this video that looks familiar.

[@RailRocketRicky]

Using the actual footplate of the Ivatt Tender Engine No. 45621 to film the action on the footplate was quite impressive. Honestly, whilst I haven't watched this show from start to finish (some point during this lockdown, I will get round to watching it properly this time!), the footplate crew are always my favourite characters: Arnold Thomas (played by the late Ivor Roberts) and Ralph (played by Perry Benson), especially when Arnold tells Ralph, "STOP PLAYING WITH THAT WHISTLE!"

[@nathantew946]

SteamieWithGlasses 1986RailTVLtd the Severn valley still got the loco nameplate.

[@wealdenpete]

Thanks Chris - I didn't even know this series had been made until this video! And I remember Dad's Army from the very start.

[@mrperkinsthehusky]

I wonder if we’ll ever get another show like this. I miss this sorta tv show

[@Bcp123]

Good to see Blakey from on the buses in this

[@heathertaylor7133]

Why can't I get to see on doctor breathing on KZbin

[@PenzancePete]

I used to work with Dickie Spendlove in Cambridge. I'm not sure that he was ever station master there.

[@DiegoLiger]

I think its funnier than "You Rang Milord".... it's gentle and far funnier if you know the railways and some characters in railway preservation.

[@DanielChannel57]

11:07 Yeah, if I wanted to see that, I'd watch Blazing Saddles.

[@countluke2334]

Almost "The Train Now Starring"

[@otakurailfan]

Interesting video. I going to take your advice and give it a watch. Hope you're doing well!

[@aziblas8299]

I love this series

[@sameyers2670]

I have heard there was talk of a 3rd series but it never got made.

[@PzVITiger131]

Set in the north, yet GWR Light Stone and GWR Dark Stone paint everywhere :) it wasn’t a great series, but it wasn’t terrible. My favourite character was the signalman. “Butler, get that bloody train out !”

[@highpath4776]

My son likes the series but i did not get it, Last of Summer Wine got the setting (sans railway) more correct, and Will Hay in Oh Mr Porter got the rural station team ensemble spot on. There is humour in the run-down of BR stations in the books written by staff and ex-staff of scrapes of footplate crew or train crew memories but it is difficult to translate them to a small screen viewing. That portillio can get the nation chuffed up with his bradshaws tours shows railways are of interest when told for real in the setting they are in. Unlike On the Buses trains are tied to their tracks and so limited in where they can go.

[@thomasholland1750]

Chris .Did you notice the Ivatt was painted in the Colour it should been black, Not Eastern Region Green. Thank you from Tom

[@Sim0nTrains]

Honestly never knew that some of it was done with a live audience, but after watching this does gives you a different view on the show. However Arley is a nice location.

[@mr.classic3146]

Definitely not a Fawlty Towers or Dads Army, but it’s still a classic.

[@tridentmusic5570]

Fair appraisal-and some enjoyable clips. Actors driving? Whatever next ! Tap salesmen owning locomotives?

[@craftythio]

The 1 dislike is beeching

[@DanielChannel57]

As in Beeching's ghost.

[@georgepom328]

I personally love this show I find it hilarious

[@terryaltherr2481]

To be fair, GoT didn't end properly since George R. R. Martin was too distracted to finish the series, hence they had to pull shit out of their asses to end the show.

[@englishtwister]

I remember this as a child. And this is a true story, that I wanted to go see the next episode (as you know it was either watch the show's episode, or miss it forever).. and the mother of a friend I was with telling me the time, and that the show would be starting soon.. this friends home was 15 minutes apart with a hill in between. And I remember running back home as quick as I could to see that weeks episode. And talking of 'miss it forever'.... I do not recall it being rerun on television.. Do you?

[@mikesbricks9214]

Hell Yes. A new Gauge the Issue.

[@norrambyhero7867]

In hindsight, after watching through the series twice years ago, I love the quaint tone but the show almost feels a little too small and slow for its own good: Small because it may have needed a slight bit more energy or physical conflict in the stories. Maybe a local bus driver who means well but the staff all kinda can't stand as he's threatening their livelihood in taking the passengers, or an incredibly minor derailment on the points causing a massive wave of panic amongst the cast in the characters overreacting - it could have utilised the premise a little stronger as, by series 2, I do remember it feeling quite...static and go-nowhere. Slow because it kinda feels like the show never got to where it was subtly building to - closure itself, or even the End of Steam. In that sense a theoretical series 3 could have actually turned out pretty interesting and character-focused from the base it had to build from; cut your losses and make a clean break, or stick to what you love to a bitter end? Really wish it did go this way - could have gotten a really sweet Arnold and Ralph ep there... Hmm, might have to break out the ideas notepad and come up with some script ideas now ;)

[@sudrianliam1199]

Competition from a local bus company eh? I can really see that here! I can already see a reference to a certain other show where Signalman Harry gets out of his box, sees the bus parked in the yard and shouts "GET THAT RUDDY BUS OUT OF HERE!!!" XD

[@fapkebefsema7545]

On the one hand I agree with you, we could have used some extra characters perhaps but on the other hand this show was set in an era where people wouldn't get into too much of a conflict I think. All in all it was a good show but it deserved a third series to round it off, the last scene made me feel just sorry for them not knowing their fate ;-)

[@steamsearcher]

And coming in at number 5 Because I watched it through first! It was BBC TV after all and if you have come through from the Black and White era and survived a 1960s childhood with real Steam around Manchester. It was enjoyable. I loved the crew the best and have 2 Ivatts under the bench if ever I need to find something to keep me away from the Reading track for 6 WHOLE WEEKS!!!

[@bettyadams1934]

I liked the series. It's hard to find shows that don't have a lot of cussing or nudity. Bravo

[@musicgarryj]

FUN FACT: One of the lines in the theme song when the pilot was first broadcast was subtly altered when the actual series began. In the pilot it was "Oh Doctor Beeching what a nasty man you are" but this was changed for all future episodes into the less offensive "Oh Doctor Beeching what a NAUGHTY man you are"....possibly after a complaint from the Beeching family.....? By the early/mid sixties when this show is set, the livery of the coaches would have been maroon, not the "blood and custard" colours used here....which were phased out in the mid to late fifties. Similarly the Ivatt loco would have been black, not green (which was normally reserved for larger main line express engines). Too nerdy? lol :)

[@sockshandle]

To be fair some locomotives kept their liveries or got entirely new liveries altogether during that time

[@Jetthehawk1994]

I have a suggestion for an episode if you're up for it.

[@Spud607]

Can you by any chance review the 1978 Great Train Robbery? It is one of the only famous pieces of film with an Irish steam engine as the main train in the film. The branch where it was filmed no longer exists and the main locomotive (GS&WR 101/ J15 class no. 184) is decrepid beyond recognition, probably because there was no inside storage available for it. Right now she is stuffed away in a shed in whitehead railway museum. She doesn't have the recognition I think she deserves.

[@kleedhamhobby]

I'm sorry, I really couldn't disagree with you more about this one. I absolutely love this show. I own it on DVD, and have watched it over and over and over again, thoroughly enjoying it every time. I find Dad's Army ok, and have watched every single episode of that, many more than once... but I enjoy Oh Dr. Beeching! way more. I strongly urge anyone who hasn't seen the show not to be put off by this review, and to check the show out for themselves. I firmly believe it is one of the best sitcoms ever done on British television (though obviously its appeal will be greater if you have Northern roots and/or railway connections). I suppose part of its appeal to me is that I feel a great fondness for the characters (more than I ever did for anyone in Dad's Army)... they feel like family to me, and I look forward for spending time with them again and again. Indeed, I think I'll watch an episode right now.

[@thebismarkandthehood]

Consistently have to remind myself that the GTI on the gauge stands for gauge the issue and not Grand turismo injection. Sounds like a Swindon go-faster job.

[@MartinAsleep]

Hi Chris, Could you do a Guage the issue on the movie "Train of Events"? Great Video!

[@TailsFan369no2]

See train now starring

[@nonpartisangunowner4524]

Ralph was a good driver?

[@flashcar60]

I may be an undiscerning Yank, but I thought the show was hilarious, I loved Su Pollard, and I always laughed at the character of Stephen Lewis, even though he was a duplicate of Smiler and the inspector in "On the Buses". The BBC has not always been brilliant about scheduling and promoting comedy. When they produced a sequel to "Are You Being Served?", they named it "Grace and Favors", and it was not so well received in the UK as it was in the US, where it was renamed "Are You Being Served -- Again?".

[@qwertyTRiG]

You forgot to link to the mentioned interview.

[@NathanielKempson]

Blakey was in Oh Doctor Beaching?! Is that what he did before he worked at the bus depot? XD

[@knuckles1206]

what show was that depot from anyways

[@thomasoates3003]

@@knuckles1206 On the Busses.

[@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789]

I thought it was the Severn valley. A regular school outing was kayaking from Highley to Bewdley. Saw the occasion train, and I'm fairly certain we paddled under that bridge 😎 I could be wrong though. It was more than 40 years ago. I loved this series, although I found it slightly disappointing. Not up to their previous standard

[@hamshackleton]

I've got the boxed set. Does that make ne a berk, or just sad? :-)

[@standard_gauge]

Both

[@telemachus53]

I think that you're actually quite wrong. The show was great, with great actors and a wonderful script. It leaves its contemporaries such as Father Ted and The Red Dwarf far behind. I'm constantly checking to see whether the BBC has finally relented and lifted its ban on Oh Dr. Beeching. All episodes were on You Tube for about 6 months and then suddenly disappeared.

[@Gauge3]

can you do a review of gods wonderfull railway too please??

[@reesochacon1448]

Sounds cheesy. Then again, in some cases, being cheesy can be a good thing for any TV show, I guess.

[@knuckles1206]

wish it was not set all in a station and instead set all around the network like train time

[@berthar.shewman9921]

Play it again Sam... And don't cut the comedy!

[@ThomasTrain-lo2xh]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehh PETTICOAT JUNCTION FANS REPRESENT REPRESENT!!!

[@CoasterKeegan]

When i hear the name David Croft, i think of Formula 1.

[@KPen3750]

"Don't be so American!"

[@nathanchan4653]

kyle pennypacker “Have a nice day”

[@ThomasTrain-lo2xh]

YES!!!

[@alexthewoo]

Chris, I recently had an idea and I want to see what you think. Everyone in the Railway community seems to dislike Dr Beeching (The real one, not the BBC show) but if you think about it, a lot of the lines he closed got reopened as heritage lines, if it wasn't for him there would be practically no preserved lines in operation. For example, the Blue bell railway would just be part of Southern Railway and any trace of steam would be erased. I'm not saying what he did was good but its still interesting to think about. With your wider range of knowledge on steam railways than me, id be interested to see your response. Thanks PS: what's your opinion on Miniature Railways? I work at the SNBR and it doesn't seem to get much attention from the wider railway community.

[@nbc_uk]

Not really true. Several lines closed before Beeching, and some afterwards - so heritage lines didn't need Beeching. Also, personally, I'd be quite willing to trade the loss of some of our heritage sections of lines for the entire routes still being in operation, as they were intended.

[@sockshandle]

@@nbc_uk yeah even though I'm not in the UK I have a sort of like or hate opinion of him as 1 his report basically sped up the grooming of the Tree that was BR and 2 hastened the demise of steam of which disregarding expense and difficulty of running and maintaining them steam engines can definitely compete with diesel traction (and in some cases I daresay trump them) there was a steam car made here in the US called the double model B or E or something puts out performance comparable to modern car engines and is as quiet if not quieter than electrics (and was about the size of an average car in the 20s/30s)

[@sameyers2670]

To be fair it wasn't all Beeching's fault, he was only asked how the railway could be made profitable again and wasn't asked to take social needs into account. Also when he recommended a closure it was the Transport Minister of the day that had the final decision

[@thomasoates3003]

The Bluebell actually closed pre-Beeching.

[@alexthewoo]

@@thomasoates3003 my mistake. It's just always the first line that comes to mind

[@TenShine1productions]

Heard off it. Never really been interested in it

[@callumthornelow2936]

Brilliant GTI episode Chris, as much as I like the show you can tell they were running out of ideas and were unwilling to try new ideas but my biggest annoyance is Vera. Barbara New may have been great in "You rang m'lord" but here she was just annoying, dreary and boring.

[@alantraish3368]

This was terrible. Stephen Lewis doing Blakey on a railway station. Unfunny scripts and all trying to act gormless. I loved perry/crofts work but this missed by miles. On the subject of dreaded Dr B and his sidekick Ernie M we shouldn’t feel grateful to them for closing line to later be re opened. They never considered social need, but they did consider the powerful road lobby and the stats of patronage taken at school holidays and winter times to justify closures. Not grateful to them at all. Oils running out so the car is on its way anyway….