Self-confessed Crewe train spotter and TV programme maker David Parker returns to the town this month to give an illustrated talk on his new programme, “Flying Scotsman and the Golden Age of Steam”.
And on stage at Crewe Lyceum with David will be special guest Bryan Skellon, a retired Crewe Works railway engineer whose book of memories Inside Crewe Works is published in September.
Parker was approached by BBC and persuaded to spend five years of his life filming some of Britain’s most attractive steam railways and the locomotives that run on
them.
But he didn’t need much persuading!
“Yes, I was a self-confessed trainspotter. Well I came from Crewe and I knew all about steam,” he said.
“When I was growing up there I could see it disappearing from the network.
“So when the BBC asked me to make a film about the revival of steam, naturally I jumped at the chance.”
For Parker it was a boy hood dream come true.
He spent five years in places as far apart as The Bluebell line, the Ffestiniog Railway, the wonderful Severn Valley and the North York Moors Railways.
He filmed the rebuilding of steam locos that run on these lines and persuaded Michael Portillo to present a film about Britain’s loveliest lost railway, the Somerset and Dorset.
He also cajoled Robson Green to get involved in the rebuilding of the world’s most famous steam engine, ‘Flying Scotsman’.
Parker will introduce video clips from the five TV programmes he made on the theme at the Lyceum show on September 18.
The evening aims to be a celebration of the achievements of the men and women who brought back to life some of the country’s most picturesque branch line and steam locomotives
that still run on them.
It features incredible stories and fabulous film of the steam engines, including Flying Scotsman being brought back to life.
Special guest Skellon will be on stage to talk about the book he has just published and called “Inside Crewe Locomotive Works”.
There will be clips from a remarkable film made about the Works in the 1930s.
The Lyceum Theatre talk is on Tuesday September 18, from 7.30pm. Ticket details from Box office 01270 368242 or www.crewelyceum.co.uk
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