Victoria Station, by Steve Chambers
Steve Chambers - Victoria Station
BBC Radio 4
"Victoria Station" is set in Nottingham on a busy Midlands railway station where we follow the hectic lives of the Station Master and his
staff and are introduced to a colourful assortment of travellers and passers-by. Spread over two series totalling nine episodes, "Victoria
Station" looks at how the station was run with rudimentary electricity, no telephones, and at a time when the railway system was the only
practical means of transport for the longer distance traveller of all classes. Each episode is billed with a date exactly 100 years ago of
broadcast.
Series 1
1) 'Signal Failure' (Wednesday 4th January 1995 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday January 4th, 1895. A day, notable, for the visit of General Booth and the visitation of General Intemperance.
It is still dark as the station personnel assemble for duty at 7:00 a.m. in the booking hall, when the call comes that a coach train has come off
the rails causing one of the wagons to break up and cows to run loose along the line. Joe Braddock, the Station Master, gets his team rolling
to clean up the mess before the VIP visit of General Booth.
With Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Philip Jackson [Mr. Tidmarsh, the Chief Clerk], Julia Ford [Josie, Joe's Daughter],
Pauline Letts [Ada Biggs, Joe's Aunt], John Hartley [Fred Roberts, the Signalman], Gavin Muir [Archibald Cripps, the Area Manager],
Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of the Ladies Tea Room], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison, Fred's Apprentice], Joshua Towb [Walter
Jackson, Assistant Clerk], Tom Knight [Harold Wheeler, the Engine Driver], Lloyd Notice [Jack Robson, the Porter], Frances Jeater
[Mrs. Brooke-Hammond], Michael Tudor Barnes [General Booth], and Deborah Berlin [The Girl Thief].
Other parts were played by members of the cast
SMs Richard Beadsmore, Keith Graham, and David Blount
Directed by Celia de Wolff
Re-boadcast on 28th September 1996 @ 8:50 p.m.
45 minutes.
2) 'Tunnel Vision' (Wednesday 11th January 1995 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday January 11th, 1895. A day, notable, for the infectious protest and protesting infection.
Joe Braddock and his staff are beset by problems on another busy day on the bustling platforms of Victoria Station. Firstly, there's unrest
and a mysterious illness attacking the men working in the Sherwood Tunnel. Meanwhile, back on the platform, Mr. Tidmarsh meets his
match in the form of the formidable Lydia Carrington. As if this wasn't enough, Joe Braddock finds another crisis on his hands when they
find a dead body at the tunnel entrance... Chaos reigns.
With Philip Jackson [Mr. Tidmarsh, Chief Clerk], Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Julia Ford [Josie, Joe's Daughter],
Pauline Letts [Ada Biggs, Joe's Aunt], John Hartley [Fred Roberts, the Signalman], Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of the Ladies Tea
Room], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison, Fred's Apprentice], Joshua Towb [Walter Jackson, Assistant Clerk], Tom Knight [Harold Wheeler,
the Engine Driver], Lloyd Notice [Jack Robson, the Porter], Nicholas Collett [Henry Hancock, the Fireman], Gavin Muir [Jed Moran],
David Collings [Professor Geider from the Hungarian Medical Institute], Geraldine Fitzgerald [Lydia Carrington of the Bridgford Women's
Purity League], Ian Masters [Tom McCarthy], and Annabel Mullion [Ellen Davison, the Actress].
Other parts were played by members of the cast
Technical presentation by Tim Sturgeon, Ian Harker, and Hilary Carruthers
Directed by David Hunter
Re-broadcast on Saturday 5th October 1996 @ 8:50 p.m.
45 minutes.
3) 'First Class Distinction' (Wednesday 18th January 1995 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday January 18th, 1895. A day, notable, for alarms and exclusions.
Joe Braddock and his staff have a busy day especially when Joe has to attend an inquest and leaves Chief Clerk Tidmarsh in charge of both
the station and the staff. But problems occur when Tidmarsh does not heed Joe Braddock's advice to "leave well alone... If it isn't broke,
don't fix it".
With Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Philip Jackson [Mr. Tidmarsh, the Chief Clerk], Julia Ford [Josie, Joe's Daughter],
Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of the Ladies Tea Room], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison, Fred's Apprentice], Joshua Towb [Walter
Jackson, Assistant Clerk], Tom Knight [Harold Wheeler, the Engine Driver], Lloyd Notice [Jack Robson, the Porter], Gavin Muir [Tom
Woodcock], Elizabeth Anson [Sarah], Ronald Herdman ['Crippled' John], David B. Miller [Russian Acrobat], George Parsons [Reverend
Sentence], Ian Peck [Meat Porter], Oliver Senton [Mr. Purvis, the Maintenance Engineer], Michael Tudor Barnes [Parkin, the Engine
Driver], Jane Slavin [Nellie, a First Class Passenger], and Peter Whitman [Bert Hall, Restaurant Owner].
Other parts were played by members of the cast.
Technical presentation by Richard Beadsmore, Keith Graham, and David Blount.
Directed by Celia de Wolff.
Re-broadcast on Saturday 12th October 1996 @ 8:50 p.m.
45 minutes.
4) 'Fog Warnings' (Wednesday 25th January 1995 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday January 25th, 1895. A day, notable, for lambent hopes and clouded prospects.
As a thick fog blankets the area, the station employees await the arrival of the Area Manager who is bringing a doctor to the station to
administer eye tests in preparation of the accident inquiry the following week on the death of an engine fireman. Meanwhile, there's a
mysterious blind man who arrives at the station every Tuesday and Wednesday but never seems to leave it.
With Philip Jackson [Mr. Tidmarsh, Chief Clerk], Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Julia Ford [Josie, Joe's Daughter],
Pauline Letts [Ada Biggs, Joe's Aunt], John Hartley [Fred Roberts, the Signalman], Gavin Muir [Archibald Cripps, the Area Manager],
Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of the Ladies Tea Room], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison, Fred's Apprentice], Joshua Towb [Walter
Jackson, Assistant Clerk], Tom Knight [Harold Wheeler, the Engine Driver], Lloyd Notice [Jack Robson, the Porter], Nicholas Collett
[Henry Hancock, the Fireman], Deborah Berlin [Sheena MacDonald], Jilly Bond [Mrs. Mora MacDonald], Peter Yapp [Mr. Hamish
MacDonald], David Holt [Dr. Pettigrew], Don McCorkindale [Tufnell, a Wheel Tapper], and Michael Tudor Barnes [Albert, the Blind
Man].
Other parts were played by members of the cast
Technical presentation by Richard Beadsmore, Keith Graham, and David Blount.
Directed by Celia de Wolff
Re-broadcast on Saturday 19th October 1996 @ 8:50 p.m.
45 minutes
5) 'Over the Points' (Wednesday 1st February 1995 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday February 1st, 1895. A day, notable, for accidental honour and premeditated dishonour.
Cripps, the Area Manager, has it in for Fred Roberts, the Signalman, as the Inquiry into last month's derailment causing the death of an
engine fireman is about to begin at the station. Meanwhile, as the Inquiry goes on, four runaway wagons are heading down the upline
towards Victoria Station. If they can't be diverted, they'll crash into the York train standing in the station. To compound the problem,
Phebie's nephew, Jamie, along with old Mr. Hickman, are trapped aboard one of the wagons.
With Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Philip Jackson [Mr. Tidmarsh, Chief Clerk], Julia Ford [Josie, Joe's Daughter],
Pauline Letts [Ada Biggs, Joe's Aunt], John Hartley [Fred Roberts, the Signalman], Gavin Muir [Archibald Cripps, the Area Manager],
Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of the Ladies Tea Room], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison, Fred's Apprentice], Joshua Towb [Walter
Jackson, Assistant Clerk], Tom Knight [Harold Wheeler, the Engine Driver], Lloyd Notice [Jack Robson, the Porter], Stephen Thorne
[Sir James Chettle, Director of the Great Central Railway], Jilly Bond [Miss Walker], Joyce Gibbs [Mrs. Peabody], Don McCorkindale
[Mr. Alcock], Peter Whitman [Mr. Newton], George Parsons [Dr. Keeble], Tim Seely [Mr. Hickman], and Ian Taylor [Jamie Scullion,
Phebie's Nephew, the New Sack Checker].
Other parts were played by members of the cast
Technical presentation by Tim Sturgeon, Ian Harker, and Hilary Carruthers
Directed by David Hunter
45 minutes
Series 2
There were numerous cast changes from Series 1 to Series 2:
Christopher Scott replaces Philip Jackson as Mr. Tidmarsh, Chief Clerk; Robert Harper replaces Lloyd Notice as Jack Robson, the
Porter; Chris Pavlo replaces Joshua Towb as Walter Jackson, Assistant Clerk; Colleen Prendergast replaces Julia Ford as Josie, Joe's
Daughter; Keith Drinkel replaces Tom Knight as Harold Wheeler, the Engine Driver; Alex Lowe replaces Nicholas Collett as Henry
Hancock, the Fireman; and Stephen Thorne replaces Michael Tudor Barnes as Parkin, the Engine Driver.
1) 'Goods Perishable' (Wednesday 27th November 1996 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday November 27th, 1896. A day, notable, for an expeditious recovery and a recovered expedition.
Joe Braddock has gone away to Chesterfield until the afternoon to learn about the new 'ticket-nippers', leaving Mr. Tidmarsh in charge.
There will be normal running of operations apart from the loading of the Ashanti Expedition in the Goods yard. Colonel Smithers-Jenkins is
heading the expedition but along with men and munitions, he has brought along the company's war chest of ten thousand guineas in gold - a
tempting amount for theft.
With Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Gavin Muir [Archibald Cripps, the Regional Superintendent], Christopher Scott
[Mr. Tidmarsh, Chief Clerk], Pauline Letts [Ada Biggs, Joe's Aunt], Sean Prendergast [The Undertaker], Robert Harper [Jack Robson,
the Porter], Chris Pavlo [Walter Jackson, Assistant Clerk], Colleen Prendergast [Josie, Joe's Daughter], Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of
the Ladies Tea Room], John Hartley [Fred Roberts, the Signalman], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison, Fred's Apprentice], Keith Drinkel
[Harold Wheeler, the Engine Driver], Alex Lowe [Henry Hancock, the Fireman], Mark Bonner [Captain Hargreaves], Ioan Meredith
[Colonel Smithers-Jenkins], Shirley Dixon [Mrs. Gunn], and Amanda Gordon [Florie Hancock, Henry's Wife].
Other parts were played by members of the cast.
Directed by David Hunter
Re-broadcast on Saturday 29th November 1997 @ 8:50 p.m.
45 minutes
2) 'Tickets Please' (Wednesday 4th December 1996 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday December 4th, 1896. A day, notable, for painful impositions and necessary extractions.
Now that he has been promoted to Regional Superintendent, Mr. Cripps now has the power to suspend a Station Master and promote a
new one on his own authority, without the prior agreement of Head Office. He will need evidence first, and will rely on Mr. Tidmarsh's
ambition to become a Station Master to get it for him so that he can finally get rid of Joe Braddock.
Meanwhile, a war has been declared by Mr. Cripps on fare-dodging causing more problems at the station now that all tickets will be
checked, no matter to whom they belong. This has put Braddock in a foul mood as it has added to his concerns of pickpocketing, a
painful tooth, and his daughter's relationship with Jack Robson.
With Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Gavin Muir [Archibald Cripps, the Regional Superintendent / Jed Moran],
Christopher Scott [Mr. Tidmarsh, Chief Clerk], Robert Harper [Jack Robson, the Porter], Chris Pavlo [Walter Jackson, Assistant Clerk],
Colleen Prendergast [Josie, Joe's Daughter], Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of the Ladies Tea Room], Michael Tudor Barnes [Mr. Elliot, a
Solicitor], John Hartley [Fred Roberts, the Signalman], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison, Fred's Apprentice], Keith Drinkel [Harold Wheeler,
the Engine Driver], Alex Lowe [Henry Hancock, the Fireman], Ann Beach [Mrs. Ellen Scrimshaw], Alice Arnold [Dr. Marie Pascal], Ioan
Meredith [Farmer White / Mr. Jenkins, the Clock Cleaner], James Daley [Harry, a Pickpocket], Ashley Moore [Dora, Harry's Sister], and
Kim Wall [The Paper Seller].
Directed by Marion Nancarrow
Re-broadcast on Saturday 6th December 1997 @ 8:50 p.m.
45 minutes
3) 'Express Desire' (Wednesday 11th December 1996 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday December 11th, 1896. A day, notable, for ancient passion and modern excitement.
On this day a thick, frozen fog settles on the station which is short-staffed again as Mr. Tidmarsh is away for the funeral of his father.
Meanwhile, the Home Secretary's Special Train which was supposed to arrive tomorrow has been bumped up a day and will be expected
in the afternoon and thus, plans for reception and security have to be quickly changed. Joe Braddock expects a large crowd, not to hear the
Home Secretary speak but to see the new 440 Express, which will knock off 20 minutes off a trip to London. This will attract not only the
normal passengers but also railway enthusiasts together with other sightseers and gentlemen of the press.
With Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Gavin Muir [Archibald Cripps, the Regional Superintendent], Pauline Letts [Ada
Biggs, Joe's Aunt], James Taylor [Henry Heber Hammond, the Bishop of Middleton], Peter Gunn [Bert Skinner, a Train Enthusiast],
Robert Harper [Jack Robson, the Porter], Chris Pavlo [Walter Jackson, Assistant Clerk], Colleen Prendergast [Josie, Joe's Daughter],
Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of the Ladies Tea Room], John Hartley [Fred Roberts, the Signalman], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison,
Fred's Apprentice], Keith Drinkel [Harold Wheeler, the Engine Driver], Alex Lowe [Henry Hancock, the Fireman], Tracy Wiles [Flora],
Joanna Monro [Janet], Ioan Meredith [Holbrooke, a Senior Guard], and Stephen Thorne [Mr. Ridley, the Home Secretary].
Other parts were played by members of the cast
Directed by David Hunter
Re-broadcast on Saturday 13th December 1997 @ 8:50 p.m.
45 minutes
4) 'Silent Night Train' (Wednesday 18th December 1996 @ 2:02 p.m.)
Wednesday December 18th, 1896. A day, notable, for rescued promise and hopeful delivery.
Once again, bad weather is causing havoc with the train schedule for the Great Central Railway. When a train carrying 3rd-class
passengers becomes stuck in a snowdrift, a rescue effort is begun by Braddock. On board is Mary, a pregnant, young woman who is about
due to deliver. As Braddock gathers volunteers from the station to help, he is confronted by Cripps who warns him and any other employee
of the station that if they go, they will be charged with dereliction of duty for leaving their post and, thus, will be fired.
With Sean Baker [Joe Braddock, the Station Master], Gavin Muir [Archibald Cripps, the Regional Superintendent], Pauline Letts [Ada
Biggs, Joe's Aunt], Christopher Scott [Mr. Tidmarsh, Chief Clerk], Robert Harper [Jack Robson, the Porter], Chris Pavlo [Walter
Jackson, Assistant Clerk], Colleen Prendergast [Josie, Joe's Daughter], Becky Hindley [Phebie Scullion of the Ladies Tea Room], Adjoa
Andoh [Mary], Mary Roscoe [Miss Joseph, Mary's Sister], John Hartley [Fred Roberts, the Signalman], Tom Bevan [Sydney Harrison,
Fred's Apprentice], Keith Drinkel [Harold Wheeler, the Engine Driver], Alex Lowe [Henry Hancock, the Fireman], Shirley Dixon [Lady
Casterton], Peter Gunn [Bert Skinner], Joanna Monro [Jane Cakebread], and Stephen Thorne [Parkin, the Engine Driver].
Other parts were played by members of the cast
Directed by Marion Nancarrow
Re-broadcast on Saturday 20th December 1997 @ 8:50 p.m.
45 minutes
Jim
