Didcot Railway Centre on TV, written by Roger Orchard, Station Manager

A FEW months ago we were approached at the Railway Centre by a production company on behalf of the BBC, to see if we would like to host a new type of TV programme aimed at railway enthusiasts: it would be a live program, rather than the usual recorded TV programs we have done in the past.

The concept would be based on the Springwatch style, using a base presenters and live feeds from other locations.

We were chosen because of our ability to show the historic side of railways as well as being close to the modern railways that surround the centre. Agreeing to this was easy, but the difficult part for the production team is how they get all their equipment into the centre considering that we don’t have a road access.

Logically for a railway program, it has to come in by rail.

So, with planning, all their equipment including generators were formed into their own BBC train for delivery to us.

The dates of the 11-13th July were agreed, and their train rolled in on the 9th July ready for the creation of an area that was suitable for live broadcasts including studio, satellite links, programme office etc.

Would they make it on time? Well, as usual, everything was ready in time for the rehearsals on the Monday.

Presenters Peter Snow and Hannah Fry were on site and getting used to their new location, researchers arrived, runners, catering, all were busy doing their allotted jobs, in total about 60 people were involved just at Didcot, along with nearly a dozen of our own volunteers.

From our point of view, we wanted to show the centre in its best light, so were made sure our locomotives were pristine, and the site being used for filming was tidy.

Our volunteers made that extra effort to cut down encroaching weeds, paint work was spotless, brass was gleaming and they even wore clean clothes.

In a flash the rehearsals were over and the live broadcast was here.

Would it all work? Trying to move steam locomotives to split second timing is not easy.

Well we hope that those of you who watched the programmes were impressed at how the centre looked, and I tried to make sure my live input was factually correct – you only get one chance.

It is all very interesting to see how the cameras are racing around from one location to another, followed by lighting and sound and then presenters all hoping they get to their allotted positions, whilst the live feeds from other locations were being shown.

In no time at all we had finished the three programmes and it was time to close down and say good bye to the BBC.

Will there be a Trainspotting Live Christmas special or a celebrity special, only time will tell.