GAUGE THE ISSUE: The Evercreech Junction Trilogy (with special guest Andrew Johnston)

TFL Media's 'The Railway Woman' GoFundMe: www.gofundme.c...
John Coghlan's Quo website - www.johncoghlan.com
Amazon - www.amazon.co.u...
iTunes - / lockdown-single
Spotify - open.spotify.c...
Google Play - play.google.co....
KZbin - • Lockdown
Order your copy of 'Steam Locos In Profile" on DVD & Digital Download HERE:
www.e-gmedia.co...
Click here to Like 'Steam Locos In Profile' on Facebook:
/ slipsegmedia
This is a video critique. All images and footage are referenced under Section 107 "fair use" guidelines.
All Change At Evercreech Junction is copyright of the BBC.
The Train Now Departing is copyright of the BBC
Great Railway Journeys Of The World is copyright of the BBC
Steam Days is copyright of the BBC
The Titfield Thunderbolt is copyright of Studio Canal
Thomas & Friends is copyright of Mattel
Gods Wonderful Railway is copyright of Dazzler Media & the BBC
Steam View is copyright of Transport Video Publishing
Steam Railway Video is copyright of Transport Video Publishing
Steam World Archive is copyright of TeleRail
Rail Freight Focus is copyright of TeleRail
Vanishing World Steam is copyright of TeleRail
All material is referenced under the US Copyright Act within Section 107's "fair use" guidelines.
Most images are 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.

[@ThePhosphater]

What a great interview, thank you for this Chris. So interesting listening to Andrew Johnston.

[@adamtravers856]

So glad my Grandfather, Peter Smith, featured and was friends with Ivo Peters, made me very proud as a child and as an adult even more proud!

[@barleyarrish]

I'm determined to include on my model railway a cameo of Ivo filming and perhaps his car standing in a lane nearby.

[@sightscreen66]

Your grandfather's books 'Mendips Engineman' and 'Footplate over the Mendips' are excellent and occupy prime positions on my railway bookshelves.

[@adamtravers856]

@@sightscreen66 Thank you very much for those kind words!

[@eggballo4490]

There's an entire cinematic universe of railway documentaries.

[@ChristheXelent]

You could say that. It's interesting how another of the cameramen/directors that Andrew worked with, Nick Lera, shot for the BBC's Great Railway Journeys Of The World and made his own home video releases called Steam Across The World in Africa, India, Poland and Patagonia. It's also interesting how Andrew worked alongside Avril and Chris Rowlands (both working on God's Wonderful Railway) while he was at Ealing Studios. So, small world.

[@davidirvine4294]

What an excellent listen - utterly fascinating! Thank you!

[@VictorTanzig1]

Terrific work, Chris. Absolute gold! Great job with the interview. Very insightful and entertaining. Keep it up, mate!

[@dustpanandthebrush5293]

The train now departing is a beautiful show !

[@Philc854]

Chris, This really is 'interview gold' listening to Andrew Johnston, and prompted by your intelligent questioning. And you did exactly as he said, "to let the interview run". I listened to the whole hour. He made some deeply perceptive observations, particularly about railwaymen and film makers. I also liked his comparison of todays preservationists with the dedication and public service of the old railwaymens' ethos. You really should follow this up some more in your own programme making. Wonderful stuff. Thank you, Chris. -Phil Copleston

[@ChristheXelent]

Thanks Phil. I do try and follow ask more people for interviews where I can, but like Andrew says these days "there are no Donald Beales". And of those that are left, not all of them are willing to talk. I did manage to interview an ex-LNER engineman for 'M&GN Re-Traced' if you're interested.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

@@ChristheXelent A friend of mine started at Gorton Shed as a cleaner in the early 60s. Was on steam until Summer 68. Fired Oliver Cromwell; was also a Secon Man on the Woodhead Route with the unique electrics and then went on to drive pretty much every diesel on BR. He only retired in the 2000s! Doesn't take much to get him going. Fantastic guy and some seriously impressive memories and experiences.

[@SBCBears]

Chris, you let Andrew speak. So unusual these days. Your skillful questions prompted such interesting replies. What a treat. 🏆

[@ChristheXelent]

He had so many stories to tell and is one of the few people I've approached (or has approached me in this case) who has been happy to share them. So letting him speak was the right thing to do.

[@caelumvaldovinos5318]

"Interruption by birdsong." The National Network has now been delayed by everything and the kitchen sink

[@yogabumm]

ALL HAIL THE BIRD

[@RB-hx7rd]

Fascinating glimpse of another era..Fab fab fab..

[@andyscorgie9713]

Chris I throughly enjoyed this piece it was terrific to listen to Andrew Johnston talking about his work and particularly his pieces on Ivo Peters, Donald Beale and Peter Smith which I know well. It was a great surprise to hear Andrew talking about the Chasewater to Newquay branch which closed in 1963. I was 10 yrs old and living in Parrenporth when the line closed and used to play around Parrenporth station. The line was not dismantled until mid 1964 owing to a concerted effort to reopen it as a private cconcern, this sadly never happened as a result of BR Western intransigence. So thanks for bringing the memories flooding back. There is some lovely footage on KZbin of the last days of the branch.

[@markrutlidge5427]

What a wonderful interview, the progress of recording equipment is unbelievable.

[@ajaypande6391]

What a wonderful interview! Thank you for bringing on Andrew, and letting him speak about his craft. I was wondering why I liked his programs so much, and now I know: it's the enthusiasm and dedication to the railways and to capture their magic on film.

[@Mookie1340]

I love how Andrew's describes that his interviews 'were putting these people on record' and so pleased that you have too. His films left a mark on my youth and still do now. Nice to hear the detail behind these great documentaries.

[@eliotreader8220]

I really like how my local heritage railway the Launeston steam railway in Cornwall was mentioned while you was talking about the filming in the west country

[@welsh_Witch]

I've ben there it was the last day darjeeling was there I love that line great little run

[@eliotreader8220]

@@welsh_Witch I was very lucky to have a footplate ride on board Lilian many years ago

[@Train_Tok_Man]

Chris needs a podcast.

[@GlenlowWorks]

I second that

[@alexhando8541]

Him and Jago have done a thing on Stereo

[@jonathancruz562]

I third that

[@jonnymccall9782]

@@alexhando8541 where can I find that?

[@alexhando8541]

@@jonnymccall9782 the Stereo app

[@thunderwazp7653]

Thank you for sharing your story Andrew, listening to it made my day. Especially listing to the part about Speed Machines which I grew up watching

[@wobblycentaur]

A really good interview, one of your best . Do consider more like this.

[@bavarianbanshee]

Fantastic interview! It seems exactly as he said; get them going and they'll continue on for an hour!

[@Hard-Boiled-Bollock]

I've had the video 'All Change At Evercreech Junction' since I was 7 years old (nearly 30 years ago!, Jesus Christ). I watched it many, many times when I was a small kid. Then in my teens I went off steam trains for a fair while, then in my 20s got back into them and watched it on and off over the years. It's a video that holds many sweet memories for me

[@olly5764]

I think it's fantastic how Andrew keeps going back to talking about the people he interviewed, their stories and what they brought to his films, his interest in others is, in my opinion, part of what made his films so good, the people he was talking to drove the films and he got them talking and tidied the results up. His comments on his Camera man also show a fantastic level of respects. I had often wondered about the sound tracks on the Evercreech Trio, that is some fantastic work to sync them up as well as they did! Reckon someone will be doing a similar interview with you in 20 or 30 years Chris?

[@davidumpleby9955]

Excellent

[@peterbamber8066]

Brilliant, such a lovely man

[@mattcheetham190]

This is really lovely Chris. I loved The Train Now Departing when i was growing up. I didnt realise Andrew had produced so many great programmes including Train Now Departing and loved the story about the BR signal at Waterloo. BTW the birdsong interlude was a great touch!

[@trafficface]

As a new railway fan from Radstock, I am delighted to say that my first ever watched documentary was the first one. They are really great, and helpful because I want to build a layout about the s and d or maybe just before

[@johnrafferty8087]

I Never tire of these great films

[@timwebster8122]

Fantastic thank you for posting this

[@ralphgiles4754]

Hello Chris...just to say how much I enjoy all of your programmes.

[@doodlecheesebug2]

Great video as always Chris 👏 I must watch each part of the Evercreech Junction trilogy back to back one day. I've still got the recording of the "Friendly Line to Burnham" episode of "Seaside Trains" from its repeat showing (on 17th September 1991) & it really hits home with you just how important the Somerset & Dorset Joint railway was & how fondly people remember it 🚂

[@mamodsteamreturns5492]

the somerset and dorset programs will always be andrews finest work !! change my mind !!!!

[@hermitageroad4713]

absolutely facinating interview

[@JontyTrain]

Brilliant thanks for this 👍

[@QuarrySteam]

Very true stuff, I think that the last really well made railway documentary on mainstream TV was Full Steam Ahead. Properly researched and very engaging.

[@JintySteam1]

Drakes Progress, Steam Days, Train Now Departing and the Evercreech Junction (first 2, I only knew about "all change at..." and "return to" until now) Were all childhood railway programs I watched on VHS recorded from the TV.

[@Jopsyduck]

apparently, not even the target demographic of the new thomas like it.

[@steamsearcher]

Just like anything after the first 3 Star Wars films to real enthusiasts!!!

[@WaverleyWanderer]

Great incite into a some of my favourite railway films. Thanks Chris.

[@chillybean08]

Thank you for amazing video, the interview is really good. I think as all enthusiasts should have a lot to thank Andrew Johnson for making the S&D trilogy (which I still got on VHS) ,which i think might encourage Ivo Peters to release his films for all of us to see. Also watching all of your videos does make my day and great to enjoy. 😊

[@ChristheXelent]

Sadly, Ivo Peters passed away in 1989. But his collection of archive film has been released on VHS and then re-released on DVD by his son Julian. Some of them are available from the S&DRHT Online Shop: sdjr.digitickets.co.uk/category/26943?navItem=212879

[@RossParker1877]

Fair enjoyed this Chris. Great interview. Really liking the change in focus for GTI. Keep safe and smiling

[@freddieellis8449]

I still have Steam Days on VHS. LOVE IT!!!

[@richardpaul2241]

Great video, was brought up on those somerset and Dorset bbc programs, my aunts husband appearing in one as he was a signalman at Evercreech, so was always for my aunt nice to see him again, and now I know where Ivo Peters lived in Bath

[@quasimoto7662]

Their (BBC’s) best work has to be the two L&B documentaries

[@barleyarrish]

every minute of this interview was a pleasure to experience, a very heartfelt big Thankyou

[@warrenlehmkuhleii8472]

Hey for once we TTTE fans are in compleat agreement with Chris.

[@Admm744]

2013-2017 was also a good period in the opinion of the fandom because of a one Andrew Brenner

[@Trek001]

Late to the party, but I loved the interview you gave - gains a subscription from me... I think my favourite moment with Donald at the Mid Hants was when they were preparing the engine and you could see him quiet, moving slowly, taking time to oil the motion gear... Then when the Mid Hants driver said to him to get up and show them how it was really done, he became a crack express driver once more and the moment he stepped into the cab, you _knew_ that footplate was his to command And as for not getting away with things like that many people in a cab these days...? Well, lets just say the old spirit isn't quite dead yet... One day, I shall put on record the time I hung onto the back of a tender to chase a bus along Cleethorpes sea front

[@stepneybulstrodemusic1761]

I love this documentary! One of the most engaging rail docs I’ve ever seen

[@kenharris5390]

Dai Woodham must have had a very understanding bank manager, to have all that financial outlay, not being utilised. May I suggest a piece on the legendary Kings Cross, Top Link man, Bill Hoole. Many thanks to Andrew, his passion is so heartwarming Keep up the great work Chris.

[@hartleymartin]

I remember many of these programs were on VHS in the 1990s. Sadly, here in Australia I only ever saw on or two tapes from each series, and BBC iPlayer won't let me watch anything because it detects VPNs! I wish the BBC would put all these out onto DVD or Digital Downloads!

[@highdownmartin]

Great interview. Reminded me of so many anecdote sthe old boys used to come out with just remeniscing amongst themselves. Some about steam but more about long dead drivers and shit turns and workshy colleagues. Very enjoyable GTI this one!

[@thiruraj3866]

This is gonna be a good one

[@rolandharmer6402]

Great interview. Many thanks.

[@liamgough6520]

Amazing but I have one question.... what's your local steam line?

[@samuelfarris1949]

Without having seen the whole video, I would point out that railway documentaries fell out of fashion simply because they were presented a certain way, that tends to come and go in mainstream fashion when a related event is deemed worthy of mainstream attention; once a new subject takes over in popularity viewer figures fall and so railway shows fall into the shadows to be appreciated mainly by the dedicated market of enthusiasts more than most other people. Indeed in 1952 The Titfield Thunderbolt faced the issue of being scripted by someone who wasn't too knowledgeable on a personal level about railways, which was why on one hand it was unsuccessful. What made the Reverend Awdry's books work so well was they were able to be both completely authentic and be appealing to a broad audience at the same time, because the author was in a position to understand both very well; a fact half-reflected in the TV series and rarely achieved successfully elsewhere. Regards, Samuel F.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Cracking episode

[@oswestryroadtmd4850]

Enjoyable stream, I also remember another program presented by Lindsay Evans, had alot of coverage of Didcot and the Severn Valley Railway what do you know about this presentation

[@aptechnicalservices]

Fantastic. Found you through Jenny Kirk's Monday club.

[@ChristheXelent]

Thanks for tuning in. Really? Which edition? I've tuned into a few of Jenny's streams, but I'm hopeless with time management

[@aptechnicalservices]

@@ChristheXelent You were mentioned by her and several watchers on Monday night this week

[@steamsearcher]

The development of Film was interesting for me as Dad worked at Kodak. And told of the wide sheet which would roll through many baths of fluid and eventually would be cut and rolled into light proof containers. Surprisingly I remember him telling of the different quality's. So that the middle bits would go off to the Studios and the poorer quality would be shared among the rif raf!!! My Childhood was 8 shots per very expensive film. David and Lily.

[@srfurley]

Interesting bit about putting the HST to music because of course, John Huntly’s background was not in transport, but in film music. He comments on the Ivo Peters material being beter than the stuff they were shooting. What were they shooting pn at that time for television, was it on VNF?

[@michaelpowell3980]

46:14 - I absolutely agree, and wish more folk these days would stand further back from the track and pan where possible. I get very bored of the 'Class xyz on the such an such railtour storms doodah bank' and then watch a nearly head-on static shot of a steam locomotive getting closer for 30 seconds followed by what seems like minutes of Mk1 carriages zipping past. Follow the locomotive!! And use a tripod! Rant over, super informative documentary, Chris.

[@lukebarber9511]

Another good railway series from the 1980s was 1989's BBC Railwatch

[@courtforder4046]

Sees the run time Thinks flaming hell All joking aside I'm going to enjoy this one. As I love your work

[@steamsearcher]

Yes it is US also on Facebook. Got to 17 minutes and decided to do it in 3 parts. HA HA. Must spend some time today dragging Lily down to the Workshop and carve out more bits of current interest 5 inch gauge London Chatham and Dover Railway Europa Class 54. Currently milling the frame stretchers out of solid blocks as she needs as much weight as possible. Love David and Lily.

[@MrXbow4300]

Have you ever seen classic trains, if you haven’t you can look them up on KZbin.

[@JintySteam1]

I wonder if there had to be shots from the S&D trio that had to be cut from the finished film that Andrew regrets having to cut or not use for the sake of time.

[@longlivethecanadianking]

This was an interesting video. I was wondering if you could possibly do a Gauge The Issue talking about the relations between railways and football (Soccer for the Americans) in the future? If you don't want to, I understand. It was just a suggestion. Have a good day. Note: I posted this before I realized it was 1 hour long lol

[@lukeslocomotives]

Huh. Now that I think about it, football wouldn't be anywhere near as popular as it is now if it wasn't for railways because you couldn't get to an away game.

[@longlivethecanadianking]

@@lukeslocomotives exactly. some teams were even related to railways. For example, Manchester United was founded as Newton Heath LYR F.C.

[@bavarianbanshee]

I don't mean to tell you how to make your videos, but I'd like to ask (not demand) you to lower the volume of the high-pitched transitions. It's much louder than the rest of the video, and it hurts my ears when it happens. It's been in a few videos now, and it's always jarring to me. But please feel free to ignore me. It's only my opinion, and I haven't seen anyone else complaining about it. Just a request from a long-time fan.

[@ChristheXelent]

My apologies. It's a fair criticism, so I'll keep it in mind for the future. Thank you for sticking with it, despite how jarring it got.

[@michaeldelamar851]

Can you help me find the BBC’s Great Western Journey documentary from 1985?

[@frankdestefano5697]

Love this series and love these reviews of railway classics! Your mention of the high quality BBC railway programming in the 80's towards the start made me think of Great Railway Journeys of the World, a personal favorite of mine growing up. Any thoughts to a Gauge the Issue spotlight on that series?

[@ChristheXelent]

It's open for discussion Frank. Though I'd like to approach it from the right angle, instead of just acknowledge it existed.

[@frankdestefano5697]

@@ChristheXelent here's hoping! As for this episode, it really was incredible. It's a joy hearing from fellow entertainment professionals who also happen to be rail enthusiasts. I personally wish similar documentaries were produced in the states of the same calibre featuring our heritage, but alas the appreciation for railway history here doesn't seem to be as strong. Looking forward to the next "Gauge" installment!

[@racgordon]

Chris, Despite being a dedicated gricer, I have to say that this is perhaps your most interesting piece on KZbin! Of the many interesting points that Andrew Johnston in effect suggests is; what, if anything, should be done about capturing the oral history of the railwayman of the BR post Beeching - pre-sectorization era?

[@ChristheXelent]

That's a fair question Robert. No doubt there are still some rail workers of the late 70s/early 80s still around. But I don't think I'm the guy to interview them, somehow.

[@racgordon]

@@ChristheXelent Or me since I now live in ghe US. It is the notion that is interesting the early 70s had a greater similarity to 25 years before that 25 years later

[@HeavyTanker-vx4oq]

1:16 please never show that cursed things face again. Thomas went down hill the moment it went CGI. Now Mattel has just took it out back and shot it.

[@connormclernon26]

You mean gave it rabies

[@NWR1991]

Clearly you don’t understand how expensive the models were becoming for the show when it comes to the materials, they sometimes have two models and barely use one of them during filming making it so much of a waste of the budget. With CGI, it’s expensive but more efficient since it doesn’t require to make two models of the same engine and while I loved the model era you have to admit it was really costly during its later years that CGI is the answer.

[@Randomstuffs261]

@@NWR1991 The models weren't the expensive part. It was the studio and the staff. I read somewhere that it cost £10,000 per hour to shoot at Shepperton studios.

[@connormclernon26]

@@NWR1991 yes, but at the same time you have to admit the writing on a lot of the CGI was kind of bad. If they’d kept competent writing, then it would have been more palatable

[@ChristheXelent]

@@connormclernon26 the writing on the later model series (S8-12) wasn't exactly that great either. So it can't all be pinpointed down to the CGI era

[@CelestinaakaClonaClox9999]

Chris Eden-Green is your name, correct? Just out of curiosity, did you ever have an interest in voice acting? Because listening to your voice I think you are perfect for a certain character

[@NoahLikesTrains]

🙂

[@Bittern19]

Hello

[@nvrthomas5056]

Hi, how are you?

[@4623620]

👎 When I try to view the "Steam Locos In Profile - Volume One" videos, I get the following message; "Verify your age Complete a brief check to show you're old enough to watch this video. Learn more" Old enough to look at steam trains, are you kidding me ? 🤬