Railwatch day 5

For five days in February 1989 British Rail was followed by camera teams on the occasion of electrification of the Eastern mainline reaching York
The programme was called Railwatch
I do not own the copyrights of this programme and upload this merely for the interest of rail-hobbyists all over. I have no commercial interests whatsoever.
This content belongs to the BBC.It´s for viewing purposes only

[@theflyingsteamerstoke8534]

This is a typical example of how peoples attitudes have changed over time. The rail network was run on a knife edge back then like it is now and yet this documentary presents the network as it is without the unnecessary panic, hype and drama conveyed in modern documentaries.

[@imcadam121]

The last time I watched this was when it was broadcast.I was in my last year at school.I'm happy to announce that nearly 6 years later I became a fully qualified Traindriver.Why the Beeb never released this on DVD I'll never know!

[@davidtarrant3771]

The last time I drove a train it was with John (the driver in railwatch). I drove the class 91 out of kings cross when I was a little boy and this sort of thing used to be possible.

[@johnekins4408]

I was the manager in charge of laying the track, sadly Europe has left our railway way behind, we are lagging in both speed and comfort. Only the USA is worse, much worse.

[@BassandoForte]

​@@johnekins4408And how good has leaving the EU been for our rail network..?? 🤣

[@marc21091]

I remember this series - now 30 years old, 1989. It shows what BR (Eastern Region) was doing and where the railway was going. Had BR continued under the Sectorised, vertically-integrated structure that existed then, and been given the funding that has gone into the so-called privatised system of today, we would have a much better railway than we now have. Sadly those dedicated managers and staff have gone. Ans British Rail Research, well-depicted in Part 5 of the series, has vanished and there is now no co-ordinated rail research in the UK.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I used to live in Mickleover, Derby. Great to see the old line, and such a shame the test track was lifted...

[@Samstrainsofficially]

"Winter arriving for the first time" damn, winter didn't exist until 1989. Learn something every day

[@mikehumble1120]

Sad to think that the presenter, Electra project director David Rollin and the industrial designer who styled the “91” along with Inter City “Swallow” livery - David Carter are all no longer with us. A great programme this was.... a little staged but superb to watch!

[@grahamwootten890]

Much better than trainspotting live.

[@danielsellers8707]

Hard to believe I used to get excited by Class 91s... Also, hard to believe they're now being withdrawn!

[@thomasthornton2002]

as someone not old enough to remember BR its amazing to see how people felt about it at the time

[@flyingpete]

A real piece of history. Thanks

[@JintySteam1]

Its somewhat emotional seeing that brand new 91 knowing most have been withdrawn. I love the music that plays when she comes out, makes her feel very cool. They essencially gave the class 91 its own theme tune.

[@cjmillsnun]

Not just that but right at the end the mock up of the class 373 eurostar cab. Many of them have gone too.

[@ChrisPipinghot]

​@cjmillsnun Yeah they are now sitting in scrap lines in France, it's very sad that these locos only 20 odd years old with another 20 years still in them withdrawn from service so quickly, same with class60s , 90s and 92s.

[@draisine1609]

This is great to see again. Thanks for the upload. Now we just need to find episode 4.

[@grahamhearn19]

it on this channel

[@rickybrett6846]

I remember seeing the 91s and 90s been built at Crewe works on their open day in 1987. 91s were classified 87/2 at the time

[@pauljackson2395]

91(225) still going strong 31 years on

[@EM-yk1dw]

Mike Smith R I P. The rail industry is dreadful now, and the infrastructure is just left to neglect.

[@rossco29]

42:35 four locomotives blast the horns if looks like the railway band like the Beatles. Mega tones nice one British Rails

[@Whizzy-jx3qe]

I am from N Ireland, in BR days were rail fares subsidised.

[@wesstarmedia]

Apart from emmisions, what benefit is electrification? The overhead wires must cause additional reliability problems on the network?

[@poino11]

Alan Wickens is an absolute rockstar, I don't know how long it would have taken to have 200kph trains in regular service without his team in the late 1960s

[@arthurmatthews9321]

Let’s face it , there is one Hugh elephant in the room that is being ignored, you will only get good public transport if the government funds it properly .and you certainly won’t get it from the private sector.

[@graugaarddk]

I know I'm late to the party, but the voice over on the Rail replacement segment, was that the same narrator as in the Drivers Eye videos? 😮

[@turntablist1210]

how many times do they call the class 91 a beast haha

[@plezurhounds]

Thanks:-)

[@joeymandrews]

38:16 did he really say punctuality is the most important aspect of running any railway? Clearly SAFETY wasn't high on his list of priorities. I think we all know SAFETY is the most important aspect of running a railway! Would you rather arrive 30 minutes late or 30 years early?

[@brianfearn4246]

I think Those 91s have all gone now 😢😊

[@HSTJames1]

Still a few left 👍

[@pauljackson2395]

10 left

[@m18tankdestroyer43]

Why no day4?

[@captainboing]

I cringe when I watch this stuff... the BBC just show that they haven't got a clue about this stuff

[@AnnSmith-u9c]

That interview was a hatchet job! Shame ! It’s no surprise the decline of rail with anti rail government and anti rail media! The manipulation is here for all to see! Shame on you

[@garymcgregor7048]

140 mph 😂😂

[@andrewrcmadwilkinson6999]

THE OPTIMISM HA HA HA!

[@chriswaring5565]

PENNY IF YOUR BUSTIN GO TO THE TOILET

[@Thunderer0872]

I missed the Friday show, video crapped out, didn't miss much I see, I can't stand Mike Smith he was joke, some of his off the cuff remarks were terrible as were some of the serious questions! Great to see the trains at the time but shoddy bunch of people Paul C & the other Scottish fella were the only redeeming hosts Paul C does voice overs for Video 125 cab rides after this.

[@steveluckhurst2350]

Cringe worthy. BBC trying to tap into popular culture. Know nothing presenters trying to humiliate BR.