God's Wonderful Railway

Clips from the three stories of my God's Wonderful Railway series, made by the BBC and transmitted in 1980. Now released by Dazzler Media on DVD.

[@juliethompson1786]

I remember watching this, I must have been only about 8 years old. Back when it was still considered important to produce quality television programming for the nation’s children. Those days are long gone, sadly.

[@csango211]

The little boy in the first clip wearing a cap and waistcoat watching the train cross the bridge is me.... I was at Chelmarsh primary school in shropshire and we invited to be extras in the first episode... Very fond memories

[@robalexander8065]

Excellent series. RIP Ian Sandy.

[@terrypearson7787]

I bought mine on Amazon - excellent value! A beautifully crafted series. Thanks, Avril!

[@merrytrek]

Dot from EastEnders at 2:23

[@davidhollway]

Blow me down, I think you're right! One of the joys of re-watching old programs is seeing "before they were more famous" appearances like this. I have happy memories of this program from back when I was a wee lad. Between this, Box of Delights, Jigsaw, and Willo the Wisp - it was a good time for childrens' TV.

[@deetee5958]

I was at school with Ian Sandy, and at college I used to roadie for him doing his kids' parties and discos. He gave himself such airs and graces for having an Equity card and landing this acting role. So a couple of times I used to bring him back down to earth by telling him that they'd been looking for an actor to play a fat ginger twat, and that he was perfectly cast, so he didn't need to act. We used to take chunks out of one another verbally. RIP Ian.

[@farahrike3804]

#JuneBrown at the table

[@thedarrenzone1963]

I remember this series well. I've just ordered the DVD and looking forward to seeing it again.

[@peterpeter2198]

the 1906 episode was shown 40yrs ago today on feb 20th 1980.

[@alasdairwright6677]

Enjoyed this in 1982 on TV1 in New Zealand. I hope that i can get this here!

[@avrilrowlands6979]

I've just seen your comment, Alasdair. If you go to my website, www.avrilrowlands.co.uk, it'll show you how to get the DVDs. Avril

[@wulfgar6749]

This is a wonderful yet very underrated TV series, I was born 13 years after it aired in 1980 and I absolutely love it I actually have one of the books you adapted Clear Ahead which is signed by you. I can't wait to get it signed by Terry Molloy who played Fry at Lime Street Comic Con in May, even though he's best known as Davros in Doctor Who. One last thing I must ask is there a reason why it took 37 years for GWR to finally get released on DVD? Hopefully now it will find a new generation of railway enthusiasts like myself!

[@davebambrook7745]

Remember watching this as a tv show I think it was the late 1970s

[@robalexander8065]

Early 1980.

[@miketickner6108]

A really good and well written TV series. I remember running home from school as hard as I could to watch it. Having just watched this clip, I hadn't realised what a good cast had been involved.

[@kathleenrehme5852]

Does this include a woman who got sick from eating green potatoes?

[@bryan3550]

Wonderful stuff Avril! We never got to see it in Australia, alas... Will try to find the DVDs. 😘

[@jacobchambers2290]

i remember that big lad being a really bad actor.