BBC Manchester

When this series cropped up on PBS, I was a big Monty Python fanatic. Still am. At the time, I had no idea that Michael Palin was a train spotter from an early age. As soon as it became available, I got a copy on VHS tape. Of course by now, good copies can be found on YouTube (see end of this review for a link).

I’ve said several times in past reviews, I’m not much of a railfan of European/British rolling stock, but…but…the Python/Palin continuum is just too juicy to pass up. Monty Python reminds me of all those “key phrases” we used to quote in college like “Shunt’s work is a load of rubbish about railway timetables” or “a very brave and influential Knight (waggles his left hand).”

Anyway. This TV show started Palin on a second career as a globetrotter filming his experiences. His next big travel project was 1989’s “Around the World in 80 Days” which included a ride on Amtrak’s Desert Wind and California Zephyr.

Back to our feature, it was Sir Michael’s intention to visit Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye — and wanting to get there entirely by train. Along the way, there were several detours and stops to visit interesting and famous railway destinations…at least as far as Britain is concerned.

Here’s Sir Michael riding a Flying Scotsman excursion and chatting up some of the passengers.

Sheesh. Where do I begin? I’ve got 189 screen grabs and need to whittle that down by 2/3rds or so. This is a review, not a re-enactment.

Well, let’s start down at the station then. London’s Euston to be exact. Mike checks the departure board for a train to Inverness (that’s in northern Scotland, so he’s going the right way).

It does look a bit bland at the platforms and that locomotive? Borrrring…

Here’s Michael schlepping his suitcase onto a waiting Inter-City train. The next two pictures I can relate to. As he says, “The start of a train journey – one of the great sensations of life.” And yes, I sit like that too, looking wonderingly at the world flowing past.

One thing I will say for trains “over there” — they are FAST. In the last frame, they’re barely out of London and already going 100mph. It really is the best way to get around.

Right. Let’s look at something sexier. You can’t go wrong with steam locomotion and there’s no better example in 1979 Great Britain, than the Rocket 150 celebration held to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Rainhill Trials.

Picture 1: A replica of George Stephenson’s Rocket.
Picture 2: 5051 Drysllwyn Castle (Earl Bathurst).
Picture 3: 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley.
Picture 4: 5690 Leander.

Picture 5: 92220 Evening Star.
Picture 6: The English are SERIOUS about their trainspotting. Bleachers-full serious.
Picture 7: 46229 Duchess of Hamilton.
Picture 8: I daresay the Brits are mad about steam.

Sir Michael managed to get himself and camera crew onboard a jam-packed Flying Scotsman excursion. Here we find LNER #4472 showing her stuff to an absolutely devoted gaggle of followers.

Onboard, we find accommodations ranging from coaches, to dining cars, to an open-platform observation on the rear.

The gal with the Jiffy-Pop hairdo is having the time of her life (Queen for a day, she calls it), including a turn with a gin and tonic on the back platform. Atta-girl!

Our fan trip finally ends with a slow pacing shot of the A3 class 4-6-2 at the curved platforms of York.

SINCE we’re in York…let’s take a quick look around the National Railway Museum. Here’s Mike walking next to Agenoria – the sister engine of Stourbridge Lion, the first foreign-built steam locomotive in America.

Next stop is the North York Moors Railway. The green locomotive #1247 is a Great Northern Railway (UK) 0-6-0 tank engine. The chap giving Michael a tour around the shops has a great smile and accent (“Some of these engines came in off British Rail as ruuust, just ruuust”).

Our host also takes a train trip behind LMS #4767, a 4-6-0 Stanier “Black 5” — Michael Palin’s favorite locomotive as a lad.

Sir Mike takes a spin on a DMU Diesel Multiple Unit – “the politely termed, Rural Services”.

At Battersby Junction, Mr. Palin meets this comely lass (ROWF!) up in the tower who lets him throw a switch. I’d try the Whitby Branch UP Main, myself…

Next up is a ride on the InterCity 125 — at the time, the world’s fastest Diesel-powered train. It makes the run from London to Edinburgh in 4 hours, 37 minutes. I believe the last frame is a shot of the IC 125 leaving Newcastle.

Sir Michael is granted a cab ride on the high-speed train (HST). I love the engineer’s pipe! And his mutton chops! So terribly British… Mike cracks wise about “That all sounds like a rather dull job now” to the displeasure of the executive type showing him around.

Just outside Edinburgh is the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge.

The Castle Aaarrgh! (just kidding) and arriving at Inverness.

I love these two guys. First is the taciturn British Rail type at Edinburgh station who keeps telling Michael, “You’ll have to change at Inverness.” (no shortcut from Edinburgh to Kyle of Lochalsh). Second is a caber-tossing railway worker on the Kyle of Lochalsh line.

Interior and exterior views of the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh train.

Finally, he’s made it! As the Isle of Skye beckons across the water, Sir Michael enjoys a drink at the Lochalsh Hotel with quite the view. Tea, anyone?

Gosh, look what’s waiting for Mister Palin at the train depot. His very own station sign!

Now it’s just the small matter of getting home via ferry, bus and train — on a different route through Glasgow, of course.

To close out our film, here’s Michael and the entire Palin family with the sign properly installed in the backyard!

If you’d like to watch, here’s the online copy I reviewed:

That is, if it’s still on YouTube…

Here’s what IMDb has to say about Confessions of a Train Spotter:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046436/

If you have ANY information about this movie you’d like to share, please contact me at: Lindsay.Korst@gmail.com, or leave a comment.  Thanks and enjoy the blog!

THE END