Confessions of a Train Spotter

Anyone who ever wanted to go to the UK, but can't get over there, should at least watch this particular installment of the Great Railway Journey's. I remember seeing it for the first time in the winter of 1983 on PBS. Up to that time I had not gotten over to the UK yet, but it inspired me to go, and to follow Michaels tracks (no pun intended) to do this journey myself. I finally did in 1996, and although the "Flying Scotsman" train was no where to be found, and things (some of the rail-lines had disappeared) had changed, following the "Confession's of a Trainspotter's" path gave me an enjoyable week. This show, if it can be found on DVD or VHS is the best of all the episodes of the 20 or so GRJ's and is the one to get. Mike Palin's antics, and his keen interest in trains and railways, makes this one particular show an enjoyable view. It would be great if Michael did a follow-up and extended it to two hours, as the west coast run was not included, but would be great to see.

Sir Michael Palin has always been a hero of mine. Aside from his iconic work in Monty Python, his travel shows inspired me at one point in time to follow suit, which led me to my own adventure infotainment documentary, Treasure Hunters. But before I'd seen the genesis of his work I, like so many before me, caught his latter day work like 'Pole to Pole,' 'Around the World in 80 Days,' and 'Sahara.'

This particular offering, however, is something entirely different.

In 'Confessions of a Trainspotter,' Palin truly shows how passionate he can be about a subject. You can honestly tell he's travelling and narrating from the heart. This is no mere BBC production assignment, this is a dream come true for him. From younger days trainspotting at Sheffield Midland station to this fantastic voyage in 1980, his love affair with trains through the ages means that there's a permanent smile etched in his voice that comes straight from the soul. You don't need to see it on screen to tell.

Palin speaks of trains and documents their history as well as this journey as if he is talking about his lover and soulmate. How can you not be moved by such an offering? Even to the most cynical television viewer, the experience that this documentary provides assures you that you are not just involved with Palin, but feeling his absolute joy as well. From the sounds of the lonely steam engines cruising through the countryside to the view of the InterCity 125 crossing the Forth Bridge, the awe for a network so steeped in heritage is difficult to avoid.

The documentary travels from London Euston to Kyle of Lochalsh in northwestern Scotland, passing through Crewe, detouring to the Carnforth Steamtown before returning to go back up to York for a trip to the National Railway Museum. From there, a trip to Malton takes him north once more by private steam train up to Whitby, then back on the main line to Newcastle. In Edinburgh he stops long enough to document some of the events of the Fringe Festival, then continues to Inverness to watch a highland games event. Finally arriving at Kyle of Lochalsh, he takes away a more important souvenir: the station's sign! In the course of the journey he travels on The Flying Scotsman, visits the sad setting of a steam train scrapyard, and passes the North York Historical Railway Trust to take in a bit of the past. All in all, the experience is inspirational. I dare say, it makes you fall in love with trains and their rich history.

The only time before watching this documentary that I was ever interested in train travel was during my childhood spent building sets to navigate around the house, as did many a boy in the 20th Century. I'd never been one to study the history of any vehicles except cars and airplanes, and I am a self-professed (and proud) plane spotter and aviation enthusiast. This documentary however, has touched me on so many levels that I tend to watch it every few months to remind myself of the idyllic settings of a Britain I never knew past my university years. Can someone feel nostalgic for a time they weren't yet born? This documentary is three years older than I am, but it really hit home. It spurred me to buy a trainspotters' journal and seek a time to document my own finds, whether in the UK or my native Canada.

I met Sir Michael Palin in Dubai in February of 2011, a few weeks before I began production of my own television series. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet him and tell him that I intend to follow in his footsteps. All I needed were his blessings, and he gave them to me with enthusiasm. My show has long been off the air, but my wanderlust remains.

If all goes well, I'll be following the exact route Sir Michael Palin took in this journey in the summer of 2021 and documenting the transformation that took place in the 40 years since its airing. Hopefully, it'll be just as exciting and romantic...and hopefully I can get his blessings once more.

Sublime. Palin nails the genre first go aided by 1980's soundtrack, aerial photography and an intelligent dialogue. Only the British could pay such homage to the railway with part nationalism, part empire, part nostalgia for a simpler, slower time - for them.

Palin is having a great time poking fun at train spotters and himself - with his train catwalk in slow motion - silhouetted against anoraked male onlookers. One spotter even jokes of trainspotting as more interesting than marital affairs.

This is to trains what top gear was to cars - a new level of televisual experience aided by smart and intelligent execution.