North of the Border The Railway: Keeping Britain on Track


North of the Border

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LineFromTo

This programme contains some strong language

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Britain's railway. The oldest and one of the busiest in the world.

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-It's OK.

-Just slow down. Slow down.

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Surely this is illegal, to be packed in like this!

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A huge network under constant pressure...

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Absolutely mental today.

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-No driver.

-No driver?

-Come on, guys look for the driver and go!

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..where anything and everything...

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Start tampering it, son.

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..can mean delay and chaos for thousands.

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Backs against the wall.

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He's got a suicidal female on board.

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Train now 90 late, owing to hitting a pheasant.

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I've heard everything now!

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Filmed over a year across the nation...

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-That one, fella.

-That one? Cheers.

-The seat next to't banana.

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..we go behind the scenes of an industry

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we all love to complain about...

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-Do you want a hand?

-That's 323.50.

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Oi!

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..with the railway people determined to keep Britain moving.

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To infinity and beyond!

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Into battle.

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That's us now going into Scotland. Does it feel different?!

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Scotland, one of Britain's most challenging networks.

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Beautiful, isn't it?

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More than 200,000 passengers travel on over 2,000 trains every day...

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If you could step in a touch, please.

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..with ScotRail running services within the country

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and long-distance operators Virgin

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and East Coast Trains connecting England to Scotland's major cities.

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What I've been told today is utter, utter rubbish.

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Political decisions about the rail network here

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are made by the Scottish, not British, Government.

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You're up against it all the time - the weather, time...

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-This is a network of extremes.

-Whoa!

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And now, with winter months approaching, the railwaymen

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and women of Scotland are entering their toughest season.

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It's an ominous cloud. It's got some snow in it, I reckon.

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Trudy is one of only two female drivers on East Coast Trains'

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Scottish routes, linking London with Aberdeen.

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Start slowing down.

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You try and do everything as gracefully as possible.

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Anybody can just thrash it up and down the country

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but I like to think that I've given everybody a smooth, comfortable ride.

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If an ex-boyfriend gets on, "Grr!"

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SHE LAUGHS

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There's trolleys that can be knocked over, the chef'll hate you forever.

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Scottish smoked salmon for you.

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Enjoy your breakfast, thank you very much.

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I used to be a window dresser, so I was watching everything going past

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me and thinking, "Oh," and then I saw the advert in the paper and it said,

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"InterCity - come and drive our high-speed trains,"

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and it was BR days, and I said to our lad,

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"I'd love to drive a train - I've driven lots of other things,

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"I'd love to drive a train."

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And then I just turned the page and he goes, "What are you doing?"

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I said, "They don't let lasses drive trains, do they?"

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And he said, "Let's have a look." And in the smallest

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writing at the bottom - I actually thought it was a squashed fly -

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it said, "Equal opportunities - women may apply."

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So I went for it. And I got it and I was absolutely thrilled.

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Just three with banana, yeah?

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No matter how you drive, if you get off the front

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and you're a woman, or when I was pregnant, they were like, "Aah!"

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I have had people not get on who've seen me at the front.

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It's unbelievable.

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And their wives will come up to me later and go, "I just left him!

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"I just left him there and he had to get the next one!"

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What does this button do?!

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Eject fuel! Thankfully, there isn't that button here!

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Now we're coming into Edinburgh.

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Yay! Alive!

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SHE LAUGHS

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How are you doing?

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-Just going there?

-Aye.

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Edinburgh Waverley station.

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Ronnie Park has been helping passengers

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here for the past 30 years.

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Next one down. First coach.

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It's Friday afternoon, and Ronnie's busiest time of the week,

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when both commuters and tourists flood the station.

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Most of them can't speak English,

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but you can help them with sign language, anything,

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or take them across to the platform, tell them what they need.

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Universal language, "The bar's round that way!"

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That's it!

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Most people, they're going on holiday or visiting their relatives.

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It's up to me to get them on the right place on the train and smile.

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Let's see what you've got here. Yeah, first class, yeah, just here.

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Yes? First class.

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That's fine.

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-Heavy.

-That's fine.

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-You want something?

-No, no, that's fine.

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-You want your bag?

-One of my three suitcases.

-Fine.

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No problem.

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I think when they come into the station, they've been hit

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by the Men In Black zapper, and they have no memory at all, some of them.

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Honestly, "Where's my train?" "Well, where are you going?"

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And then you've got the ones that come running along,

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just missed their train, and they've got their Burger King bag.

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That burger's just cost you £100 to get to London, pal.

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Be there on time!

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HE BLOWS THE WHISTLE

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Train doors are locked, sir.

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Over on the other side of the country,

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on the beautiful West Highland Route,

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it couldn't be more different.

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This single-track railway weaves past Ben Nevis

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and into the mountain ranges beyond, before coming to an end at the sea.

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Many of its remote stations are request stops,

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with trains only stopping if a passenger flags them down.

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Beautiful, eh?

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This is a lovely part of the world, eh?

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I've never, ever liked working inside, you know?

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1315 - one, three, one, five - over.

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With just three services a day, engineer Ian McKinnon has plenty

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of time between trains to carry out his weekly inspection of the track.

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Right. And we're off.

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Throw this away.

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Right, what we've got here is a dead hide, and what we usually do,

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if we've got time, drag it off...

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It'll probably stink, but anyway...

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It's stuck to the thing there.

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See, oh, it's all stuck. So I'll just throw it off, clear the line.

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And probably come back maybe later on when we've got time and bury it.

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And that's basically it.

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In the meantime, it's clear of the track there.

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It's horrible, stinking.

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It's probably been there for a week, cos we walk this once a week...

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..and it's probably been there all week.

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It's quite a horrible job, but you've got to do it.

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You ever tried venison?

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Very strong.

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Compared to ordinary meat it's very strong, yeah. But lovely.

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That's what they call a bothy.

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It's just basically a wee shed for you to shelter from the storms.

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This is probably one of the oldest ones we've got around here.

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Luxury, aye!

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HE LAUGHS

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Keeps you dry. Sit here and have your tea.

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You look forward to seeing one of them

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when you've been walking for about eight mile! HE LAUGHS

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Yeah!

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Much of the 2,700 miles of track across Scotland

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cuts through the Highlands.

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A beautiful but punishing landscape to run trains on.

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Over on the Inverness route, the steep gradients

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and often icy temperatures make braking dangerously unpredictable.

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Right. Cheers, mate.

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-That's us got permission to start, gentlemen.

-OK, it's all systems go!

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HE LAUGHS

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As in the rest of the UK, Network Rail is

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responsible for the upkeep of the tracks.

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This local engineering team work the night shift on a Kubota,

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a specially-converted farm vehicle

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that spreads a gloopy solution onto the rails to improve adhesion.

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It's just pretty much liquid sand.

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Flick the on switch, starts running,

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and then it gets pumped out into these pipes, out the pipes...

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..onto the track. It gets pretty cold!

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Minus four, but that's standing still!

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So we're jumping in that, driving at 20 mile an hour.

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Obviously, the further we go up, it gets colder again,

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and you boys will see that for yourselves.

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It's your hands that get it worst.

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Every night during winter months, Michael and Alec drive

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the Kubota through the highest part of the route to Inverness.

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It's cold up here.

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It takes them two hours to cover just 20 miles of track.

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Still trying to climb at the moment, that's why we're going so slow.

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The top of the rails is just covered in ice.

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The wheels are just spinning. It's quite hard to get traction.

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I suppose this is why we're here,

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so the trains don't have the same problem.

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I've got a wife,

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I've got two young kids as well.

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So there's a lot of unsociable hours.

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At the end of the day, this sort of thing keeps me in a job,

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so I'm happy enough to do it.

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It can be really tough, aye.

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It becomes a way of life. I've been doing night shifts since 1995.

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I'm allergic to daylight!

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HE LAUGHS

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That's us at the top of the hill there.

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There's your sign there, Druimuachdar Pass.

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The highest point on the rail network, there you go.

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There's a wee sign for you!

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I can think of worse places to be!

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I can think of better as well!

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THEY LAUGH

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As easy as that.

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The railways keep running.

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Glasgow's suburban rail network is the UK's largest outside London.

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And Glasgow Central is Scotland's busiest station.

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-Have you got seat reservations?

-No, there was no reservation.

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As well as being ScotRail's hub for the commuter belt between Glasgow

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and Edinburgh, this is the starting point for Virgin Trains,

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travelling from Scotland into England on the West Coast Main Line.

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It's quarter past.

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A peak-time return ticket from here to London can cost more than £300.

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Sir, are you aware of the problems?

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You're not going to be there for six.

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Today, there are severe delays for anyone catching a train south.

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A freight train went through the overhead wires.

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Between here and Carlisle, faulty overhead lines have come down,

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and no services can run while they're being fixed.

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Are you OK, ladies?

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-We need to get to Carlisle.

-He's just told us we can't.

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'Here is a passenger announcement.

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'Due to severe disruptions on the West Coast Main Line, replacement

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'bus services are operating from Gordon Street to Carlisle.'

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We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

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Anyone for Carlisle? Carlisle?

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Replacement coach services are being laid on by Virgin

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to get passengers to Carlisle.

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It means adding an extra hour to journey times.

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-How long will it take to Carlisle?

-About two hours, yeah.

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I'm going to miss my train. I'm going to miss the one at Preston as well.

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I'm not going to get home till 10pm.

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Just got some water for the customers in case they're thirsty,

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cos obviously there'll be no on-board shop.

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It's the least we can do, really.

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A lot of them want a whisky, they don't want water.

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SHE CHUCKLES

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I've had a request for that a few times this morning.

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Marie Claire usually works in the ticket office.

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Today, she's been drafted in to help with the delayed passengers.

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There's a bottle of water for you, OK?

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The overhead lines are all down.

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A freight train has brought down the overhead lines causing chaos,

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unfortunately. Sorry, I'll just get by.

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You'll get your connection time when you arrive into Carlisle

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and they'll let you know, sir, OK? There you go, there's a bottle of water.

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This is the bus for Carlisle, that's the queue for it there.

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-You're kidding me on.

-Oh, no, we won't get on it.

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We've done this journey since my grandchildren were born and at

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the end of the day, what I've been told today is utter, utter rubbish.

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We have more buses en route.

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"En route" is no good to me, I don't want to be getting into Wales

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only to find I'm stuck till four in the morning till the next train.

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We'll just get the step lowered for you.

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'I used to work in the police as a 999 operator'

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so it's nice to speak to people face-to-face.

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Then, other times, it's not nice. You can't hang up on them!

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Not that you hang up anyway.

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You've guaranteed that I'm going to be getting home

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-and won't get stranded.

-Yeah, I have guaranteed that.

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So what do I do when I get stranded, then?

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If the worse comes to the worst, we'll get you a taxi.

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-Thank you, pleased to hear it. Thank you.

-No problem.

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You don't take it personally,

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otherwise you'd get upset an awful lot of times.

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You don't have time to take yourself off to a quiet corner

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and scream, you just get on with it.

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Just to let you know that the 14.40 replacement bus does not have a

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toilet on the bus. The driver's asking, do you want them

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to do a ten-minute stop at Abington services, over?

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-RADIO:

-We've not had this problem before.

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Roger, OK, I'll pass that on.

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If you want to maybe shout out to them when it's coming up that

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if anybody needs the toilet, you'll do a specific stop,

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but he's saying, "Not really."

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-Do you want a bottle of water?

-I've got one, thanks.

-OK.

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Do you want a bottle of water?

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-Would you like some water?

-You can shove your water up your arse.

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Just telling me to put the water where I don't want to put it.

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Or maybe he knows there's no toilet.

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50 miles down the track,

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Network Rail's engineering teams are trying to fix the problem.

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With northbound trains still running during the day,

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they can only do the work at night.

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Obviously, it'd be a lot easier

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if it was better weather conditions, but unfortunately,

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because we're in Scotland we get this most of the time.

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All year round. No summer in Scotland!

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Up to the top pole again, Andy.

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A mile of overhead cables needs replacing, in high-speed winds.

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All these cantilevers have got to be replaced with new cantilevers,

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so we're just taking all the stuff off the old ones,

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putting new insulators on, new tubes.

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And then we'll put it up and tie it back ready for the wire.

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Danny's damaged that rope up there, haven't you?

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Make sure that's not flapping about, David. Tuck it in some way.

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Whoa.

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-SNAP

-Whoa!

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Ooh. Fucking hell!

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This is one of the biggest we've had in a good seven or eight years.

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It's a big one.

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As it was their faulty cables that caused the delays,

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Network Rail is facing big fines.

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It's a lot of money. They're talking millions of pounds.

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That'll do.

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With the supports that hold the cables also damaged,

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it looks like it'll be several more days

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before the lines are back in full working order.

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At Edinburgh Waverley, services are running normally.

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We were supposed to be catching that

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and then changing at Newcastle for Sheffield, so where do I have to go?

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Can you tell me?

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6 to 14, fitters.

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For the calm to continue,

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Ronnie and the team have to meet exacting deadlines.

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Could you come down to Platform Two, coach Echo with your plunger, please?

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-RADIO:

-OK, I'll be there now.

-Cheers.

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SPLASHING

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Sorted!

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HE LAUGHS

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The cleaning team have just ten minutes to work through

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the train and replace the water before its onward journey.

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HE WHISTLES "RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES" BY RICHARD WAGNER

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We have to go quick on the next one, I don't know if it's arrived yet.

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You can see already, people on the platform, waiting for the train.

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Parisian Patrice Lechsner joined the team 18 months ago.

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Hello, hello. How are you? You look fine like that.

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-Hello!

-Oh, yes.

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-Claire's hen party, wow!

-Don't you worry.

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Very nice. Lovely blonde. Hee-haw, hee-haw!

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They seem to have fun already.

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HE CHUCKLES

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My God! They like to party, yes?

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That's the proof, huh? They drink a lot in UK!

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HE LAUGHS

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And first class need, of course, particular attention.

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Make sure the Union Jack is right.

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I came to Edinburgh first to improve my English, so I started a job in...

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..in the railway station and I met my wife at the station.

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My wife is working in the railway as well

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and she's not working just right now, because she's a mum now.

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There we go. Trapped in Scotland!

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I have to say when you take the French train or the TGV,

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it's superb.

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Two and a half hours to cross the whole of France,

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it's like going from Edinburgh to London in, yeah...

0:19:500:19:53

..two hours and a bit, when it takes four to five hours.

0:19:550:20:00

It's a bit miserable, but whatever the weather is,

0:20:020:20:05

we have to make sure things are clean.

0:20:050:20:08

But it's good to go back sometimes, with some cheese and wine.

0:20:080:20:12

All this is our trophies, just for one train.

0:20:130:20:16

Did you find your ticket?

0:20:180:20:19

Is it in one of the bins?

0:20:200:20:22

Do you know where Coach F might be?

0:20:220:20:24

It's hard to say, huh? I'd like to help you, but...

0:20:260:20:29

It's not worth looking. OK, thank you.

0:20:300:20:34

Poor guy. No chance!

0:20:340:20:36

I didn't want to tell him!

0:20:360:20:38

Next one.

0:20:390:20:41

This is terrible, huh?

0:20:420:20:45

Oh...

0:20:450:20:47

Some people are...

0:20:470:20:49

Got a strange approach to hygiene.

0:20:490:20:51

I used to work for Audi in the motor trade, 60 hours a week,

0:20:530:20:57

which was a lot.

0:20:570:20:59

My priority just now is my family,

0:20:590:21:02

and now I've got plenty of time for the kids.

0:21:020:21:04

First time I took that job, there was a manager who asked me,

0:21:050:21:10

"Are you sure you don't want to do a few days first,

0:21:100:21:13

"because it's quite a degrading job?" I was, "What?!"

0:21:130:21:17

Nothing is degrading, why not?

0:21:170:21:18

I feel relaxed and, well, I enjoy that for the moment.

0:21:180:21:22

Money is not everything.

0:21:230:21:24

Excuse me.

0:21:240:21:26

Patrice earns just over £9 an hour for his shifts.

0:21:280:21:31

Smell that, son?

0:21:330:21:35

It's like gasoline.

0:21:360:21:38

Smells like victory!

0:21:380:21:40

Every train is a victory, you know?

0:21:420:21:45

Job done!

0:21:490:21:51

Scotland's East Coast Main Line connects Edinburgh with Aberdeen.

0:21:550:22:00

WOMEN LAUGH Thank you.

0:22:000:22:02

Its high-speed trains start the journey in London

0:22:020:22:05

and change drivers at Newcastle before heading north.

0:22:050:22:08

So this is where I come and sign on.

0:22:110:22:14

Driver Trudi Tate arrives at midday to start her shift.

0:22:140:22:17

We used to have a train crew supervisor who would give you

0:22:190:22:21

your work and tell you everything that was happening,

0:22:210:22:24

but now, it's quite sad, really, we're on our own.

0:22:240:22:28

We sign on with the phone, remotely, and then...

0:22:280:22:32

These are anything extra that I've been given, paperwork-wise.

0:22:330:22:37

This is my late notice case,

0:22:370:22:38

so I've got to check here if anything new has happened.

0:22:380:22:41

Naughty signals, naughty drivers.

0:22:410:22:44

So much can go wrong if you're travelling on the train into work.

0:22:440:22:47

It's a poor excuse when you say, "I'm late for work because I used the train to come in!"

0:22:470:22:53

You, you know, think ahead a lot of the time of the things that could go wrong.

0:22:530:22:56

And we've got a lot of backup, you know?

0:22:560:22:58

I've got a car, but I've got a motorbike if it doesn't start

0:22:580:23:01

and I've got lots of different ways I can come in to work.

0:23:010:23:03

And I set off early, you know? Just so I know I'm going to get here.

0:23:030:23:06

There's a few times I've got here, like, in the snow,

0:23:060:23:09

two minutes before my train.

0:23:090:23:11

And your heart's like this, cos it's only your fault,

0:23:110:23:14

you know what I mean?

0:23:140:23:16

Hi! Right, OK.

0:23:160:23:18

This is my office.

0:23:220:23:24

SHE CHUCKLES

0:23:240:23:25

Yeah, it's filthy!

0:23:250:23:26

SHE LAUGHS

0:23:260:23:27

I think it's lovely round here.

0:23:310:23:33

You don't get sick of it, because it is so nice.

0:23:330:23:35

So we'll soon be coming up to Morpeth, which is the scene of

0:23:350:23:39

quite a few derailments, so we have to go 50 round there.

0:23:390:23:42

That's where the boss stands with a speed gun quite a lot.

0:23:440:23:47

Only because there is a good pub round the corner!

0:23:490:23:52

HORN BLARES

0:23:520:23:53

I like going fast.

0:23:550:23:57

But, you know, we really have to be sensible, because if you

0:23:570:24:01

speed on the railway it's going to be a disaster, isn't it, you know?

0:24:010:24:04

You can't...

0:24:040:24:05

You mustn't do it. One, for the engines and, two, you know...

0:24:050:24:08

You'll end up in a field, and that's never good.

0:24:080:24:10

There's a lot of forms to fill in when you come off the track!

0:24:100:24:13

SHE LAUGHS

0:24:130:24:15

East Coast has a fleet of 43 high-speed trains,

0:24:160:24:19

each one travelling up to 1,000 miles a day.

0:24:190:24:23

Some of the fleet are nearly 40 years old

0:24:240:24:27

and, like all trains, keeping them going means regular maintenance.

0:24:270:24:32

For that, they're sent to Craigentinny Depot near Edinburgh.

0:24:320:24:35

They do everything here, from cleaning

0:24:400:24:42

and refuelling to complete overhauls of the fleet.

0:24:420:24:45

A few to do here, eh?

0:24:450:24:47

I've already checked the luber.

0:24:470:24:48

Fraser McVeigh is in charge of one of the maintenance teams here.

0:24:500:24:54

This is Scott Mackay, senior electrician

0:24:540:24:56

-as you can see by the look of him.

-Very senior!

0:24:560:24:58

A bit older than everybody else in the shed!

0:24:580:25:01

BELL RINGS

0:25:010:25:02

Jason, our English ethnic friend, only Englishman in the sheds.

0:25:020:25:07

It's the first time you'll ever see him doing anything.

0:25:070:25:10

Down!

0:25:100:25:11

Some of these locos are between 30 and 40 years old.

0:25:120:25:16

You have one of these on each side, one pushing, one pulling,

0:25:160:25:19

getting used up and down the country constantly.

0:25:190:25:23

Seven days a week.

0:25:230:25:26

They've stood the test of time, and we're just trying

0:25:260:25:29

to keep them going that bit longer.

0:25:290:25:32

I'm changing a fuel loading valve.

0:25:320:25:35

If this valve fails,

0:25:350:25:37

you have 5,000 litres of diesel pouring onto the track.

0:25:370:25:42

Stretchy! Come here, son! Show your face!

0:25:430:25:47

You've got your light, is your light on in there?

0:25:470:25:51

See him in there, working away?

0:25:510:25:53

What's life like down under a train?

0:25:530:25:55

It is a bit grotty, you know what I mean? And minging.

0:25:550:25:59

But you just have to get on with it. Do as best you can.

0:25:590:26:01

You've got oil and dirt, dead animals,

0:26:010:26:05

the brake dust is the main thing, as well, brake dust.

0:26:050:26:09

All modern trains have tanks to hold toilet waste,

0:26:090:26:12

but on these older models, the sewage is flushed straight out.

0:26:120:26:16

Well, this is the waste pipe for all the toilets.

0:26:180:26:21

Obviously when they flush, it's coming out, it's hitting the track,

0:26:210:26:25

it's going everywhere.

0:26:250:26:27

Toilet paper, human excrement, urine, it's just all stuck together.

0:26:270:26:31

As you can see.

0:26:320:26:34

Human waste. If the train's going by, 125 miles an hour,

0:26:340:26:38

if you're standing outside, always face away from the rolling

0:26:380:26:41

traffic, because you don't want this on your face!

0:26:410:26:43

Trust me.

0:26:450:26:47

That's why you wear gloves.

0:26:470:26:48

HORN BLARES

0:26:480:26:52

Craigentinny's latest recruit is 20-year-old apprentice Toni.

0:26:530:26:57

It's just a bit slow in opening.

0:26:590:27:01

I lost all my nails within a week of starting here, and I had lovely nails.

0:27:010:27:04

I used to be able to paint them, French manicured them and all that.

0:27:040:27:07

No, not any more. I don't have any more.

0:27:070:27:10

And I can't have nail polish on them cos it chips.

0:27:100:27:12

Is it just coming off with them two bolts, aye?

0:27:120:27:14

Them two pushing into there.

0:27:140:27:16

Three weeks after starting here there was a big coolant leak,

0:27:170:27:20

and I got blue coolant all over my hair.

0:27:200:27:22

And I was blonde at the time. So you can imagine.

0:27:220:27:24

I had green hair for about a week afterwards, but...

0:27:240:27:26

It's all part of the job, I guess!

0:27:280:27:30

You can have a couple of days off, Christmas and Boxing Day.

0:27:340:27:37

Well, the trains do, we don't.

0:27:370:27:39

We do our utmost to try and keep these things on the track

0:27:390:27:41

and keep everything running and everybody happy.

0:27:410:27:44

Mrs Jones and all the rest, travelling on the trains,

0:27:440:27:47

sitting in the quiet coach or in the first-class, eating and drinking,

0:27:470:27:51

with your Wi-Fi on.

0:27:510:27:54

This is the real railway.

0:27:540:27:56

At Glasgow Central, Virgin passengers are enduring

0:28:030:28:06

their third day of bus replacement services.

0:28:060:28:09

The next replacement bus service is outside.

0:28:100:28:12

It's waiting, it's not going to leave until it's full.

0:28:120:28:15

Bad weather has hampered repairs to the damaged overhead cables

0:28:150:28:18

on the West Coast Main Line.

0:28:180:28:20

CHILD CRIES

0:28:200:28:22

They've been warned because they've seen the news,

0:28:220:28:25

it's been over the news, and they've had travel updates on the internet

0:28:250:28:29

as well that the line is down, so they'll be expecting it, I would presume.

0:28:290:28:32

There you go.

0:28:320:28:34

I don't know exactly what time you're going to get into Carlisle at.

0:28:340:28:37

-Do we get a refund of any sort?

-Certainly, you know?

0:28:370:28:39

There'll be a claims compensation form that you'll be able to fill out.

0:28:390:28:43

-We're getting there, we're getting there. As always.

-HE CHUCKLES

0:28:430:28:46

So far, the problems have led to 120 cancelled trains, and the

0:28:470:28:52

knock-on effect has caused delays to services as far south as Bristol.

0:28:520:28:56

HORN BLARES

0:28:560:28:57

Here's our baby!

0:28:580:29:00

With preparation works complete, a specialist team and train

0:29:000:29:04

have arrived to finally install the new overhead cables.

0:29:040:29:08

One of only two such trains in the UK,

0:29:080:29:10

it's had to travel up from the south of England.

0:29:100:29:13

We're the OCR team, we're rapid response for all major incidents

0:29:130:29:18

from Glasgow to Euston, basically.

0:29:180:29:22

We are the experts, yeah.

0:29:250:29:27

Operated by a crew of 30 technicians,

0:29:280:29:30

it can replace 1,500 metres of wire every four hours.

0:29:300:29:34

We are going to replace the wire that carries the electric using the train.

0:29:360:29:41

Get on, get it done, get home safe.

0:29:410:29:44

-Who's in charge here?

-Me.

-Me.

0:29:460:29:49

THEY LAUGH

0:29:490:29:51

We don't know ourselves who's in charge!

0:29:530:29:56

They put me with him, cos he's old,

0:29:560:29:58

-so I have to do all the work, and he just stands there.

-Hey!

0:29:580:30:01

You can tell he's a bit senile!

0:30:010:30:03

THEY LAUGH

0:30:030:30:05

There's no room for error when installing this heavy copper wire,

0:30:060:30:10

which has to be hung at full tension.

0:30:100:30:12

If that comes off, it could take your head off.

0:30:140:30:17

If it does, it will definitely kill you.

0:30:170:30:20

Just got to watch what you're doing.

0:30:200:30:23

Before I did this I worked down t'pit for 20 year, 21 years,

0:30:240:30:28

and I've been in this job now for about 12 year.

0:30:280:30:30

No comparison to working down pit to this job. It were horrible down t'pit.

0:30:310:30:36

Working in your underpants in 110 degrees?!

0:30:370:30:41

After three nights working, 25,000 minutes of delay

0:30:420:30:46

and a cost of £800,000 to Network Rail,

0:30:460:30:50

the West Coast Main Line is back up and running.

0:30:500:30:53

And Virgin's services from Glasgow Central return to normal.

0:30:580:31:02

Just go straight on. It's OK, just go on ahead through, you're fine.

0:31:020:31:05

You don't need your ticket.

0:31:050:31:06

I'll sleep well tonight!

0:31:070:31:10

Although the Scottish Government provides £700 million

0:31:100:31:13

in annual subsidies, the heavy cost of structural repairs

0:31:130:31:17

and maintenance to the railways is ultimately passed on to passengers

0:31:170:31:20

in higher ticket fares.

0:31:200:31:22

-Are you needing a hand here?

-Yes, thank you.

0:31:300:31:33

-Thank you.

-Just wanted to hold my hand, eh? Cheers, now!

0:31:330:31:37

Thank you.

0:31:370:31:38

MEN CHEER

0:31:380:31:40

Monday afternoon at Edinburgh Waverley.

0:31:400:31:44

-If you try Coach G for Golf, that's normally a bit quieter.

-Thank you.

0:31:440:31:47

Right, no problem.

0:31:470:31:48

Well, we went to Dundee and we asked for the...

0:31:480:31:52

At East Coast Trains customer reception, Pauline Lamont

0:31:520:31:55

and her colleagues deal with passenger enquiries.

0:31:550:31:58

In here you get all sorts.

0:31:580:32:00

I think yesterday Gavin got somebody that was covered in blood,

0:32:000:32:03

they'd fallen and, you know, dripping blood everywhere.

0:32:030:32:06

Thank you.

0:32:060:32:07

Every kind of question you want to get asked,

0:32:070:32:09

down to, "Where's the nearest sex shop?"

0:32:090:32:13

SHE CHUCKLES

0:32:130:32:14

"What's your favourite restaurant?", you know, they want to go for something to eat.

0:32:140:32:17

And you're just meant to be telling train times and platforms.

0:32:170:32:20

-Gracias.

-Bye.

-Bye!

0:32:200:32:23

Sometimes people are just lonely

0:32:230:32:24

and they just want somebody to chat to, you know?

0:32:240:32:26

So they come in here an hour before their train,

0:32:260:32:29

ready to go, and then they sit and chat.

0:32:290:32:31

My wife's just left her bag on the 10.27 to Aberdeen.

0:32:310:32:35

So you said it was on the overhead, sir?

0:32:350:32:36

-I believe it was on the overhead, yes.

-Right, no problem.

0:32:360:32:39

Hello, there, Donna.

0:32:390:32:41

I've got a gentleman that's just appeared in my office.

0:32:410:32:43

His wife's left her Radley bag in Coach B for Bravo.

0:32:430:32:47

Are you OK? Can you maybe help Gavin?

0:32:470:32:50

While Pauline tracks down another lost bag, her colleague

0:32:500:32:52

Norrie McLeod looks out for his more vulnerable passengers.

0:32:520:32:57

We'll get you seated in first, then we'll get your luggage and everything else on.

0:32:570:33:01

-Oh, thanks.

-Lovely job.

0:33:060:33:08

Take care now, bye-bye.

0:33:080:33:10

But it's not just the railways that keep Norrie busy.

0:33:110:33:14

He's also a priest for the Celtic Church of Scotland.

0:33:140:33:18

I was ordained a priest in 19...

0:33:180:33:22

Early '90s.

0:33:220:33:23

I'll just put the ramp down. Two ticks.

0:33:230:33:27

When I'm not working here on a weekend I'll go and take a wedding

0:33:270:33:30

or a funeral or something like that.

0:33:300:33:32

That's us.

0:33:330:33:35

People that meet me don't... Well, if I don't say to them, they don't realise,

0:33:350:33:38

cos I can swear like the rest of them.

0:33:380:33:42

Welcome to Edinburgh!

0:33:420:33:43

MEN CHEER

0:33:430:33:47

They're not going on this train, are they?

0:33:470:33:49

-They're probably coming off it.

-Because I've...

0:33:490:33:52

I've had it with drunken men on trains.

0:33:520:33:56

I let it go the last time, but I won't let it go this time.

0:33:560:33:58

-I'll take this up for you.

-Thank you. Very helpful.

0:33:580:34:02

They've got it? That's brilliant. Right, bye.

0:34:020:34:05

-Right, the guard will be able to give it to you.

-Okey-dokey.

0:34:050:34:08

-Thank you very much.

-That's fine, thanks very much. Bye.

0:34:080:34:11

-Thank you very, very much.

-Not a problem.

-See you again.

-Cheers!

0:34:120:34:18

-This is an education, sitting here!

-I know, eh?

-Very, very good.

0:34:180:34:22

-You can learn all sorts!

-I think that was marvellous. What a relief!

0:34:220:34:26

TANNOY: '.. for the 15.08 First ScotRail service...'

0:34:270:34:31

Monday evening rush hour is just beginning.

0:34:340:34:36

In East Coast's control room,

0:34:410:34:42

they're keeping a close eye on events south of the border.

0:34:420:34:46

We've got overhead line problems at Durham, which delayed services.

0:34:460:34:49

We had a broken rail at Newark Northgate,

0:34:490:34:52

which has delayed services by up to two and half hours,

0:34:520:34:55

so our rush hour's going to be affected. We'll be very, very busy.

0:34:550:34:59

We can handle one thing that goes wrong.

0:34:590:35:01

When two things go wrong, that's when we get the pile-up of passengers.

0:35:010:35:05

If you could step in a touch, please.

0:35:090:35:11

We've been on that train for hours.

0:35:140:35:17

-Is that to get the money back?

-Yes.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

0:35:210:35:24

I only wanted for the aliens to come down and abduct us

0:35:250:35:29

-off that train...

-HE LAUGHS

0:35:290:35:32

and it would have been complete!

0:35:320:35:34

It will come up. We don't know before, unfortunately.

0:35:360:35:38

With it being late, it can go into any platform.

0:35:380:35:41

There's two choices, you can either try and get on the five o'clock...

0:35:410:35:44

-We'll have to, we're meeting people at the other end.

-..or the 5.30 as well.

0:35:440:35:48

Just trying to explain to people what the problems are

0:35:480:35:51

and the next step

0:35:510:35:52

is to try and get people onto the next available trains.

0:35:520:35:55

I shall go on to the five, I assume, with this one?

0:35:580:36:01

-That is the next available, yeah.

-OK, and this isn't valid any more?

0:36:010:36:05

What do I do? Scramble for a first-class seat?

0:36:050:36:07

Your ticket's still valid but your seat reservation isn't.

0:36:070:36:10

So, yeah, you're correct in saying that you will need to try

0:36:100:36:13

and find an unreserved seat.

0:36:130:36:14

Guys, could you do me a favour

0:36:160:36:17

-and just wait on the platform for an extra few moments?

-All right.

0:36:170:36:20

-Once we get most of this mess cleaned up then we'll get back on.

-OK, no problem.

0:36:200:36:24

The decision to not put reservations on it

0:36:240:36:27

is usually made by Control in advance...

0:36:270:36:30

just within regards to time constraints.

0:36:300:36:32

You have to deal with the inevitable fact of,

0:36:330:36:36

"You're sitting in my seat" and so on,

0:36:360:36:38

which is interesting to a point,

0:36:380:36:41

because you never want to tell people,

0:36:410:36:43

"You don't have a seat any more," it's never a nice thing to say.

0:36:430:36:46

I'd hate to be the guard on a service like this cos he's going to get it in the ear.

0:36:460:36:50

Right, guys. Jump on.

0:36:500:36:51

Right, buddy. Cheers. It's getting worse and it's getting worse.

0:36:530:36:57

Our 4.33 service is running just under three hours late

0:36:570:37:01

due to a passenger taking a heart attack on the train.

0:37:010:37:03

They were brought back to life three times

0:37:030:37:05

and I've been reported they were taken off the train alive

0:37:050:37:08

and they're on their way to hospital at the moment.

0:37:080:37:11

Because of the delays we've got a five o'clock train which we won't run today.

0:37:110:37:14

Everyone else in.

0:37:150:37:16

Just get the elbows out! That'll sort them!

0:37:180:37:21

I was on the 1700 to Lincoln, which you have cancelled.

0:37:210:37:25

Can you give me a revised time?

0:37:250:37:28

I most certainly can, sir.

0:37:280:37:30

-You OK there?

-Would you give me a seat on the next train to London?

0:37:300:37:34

I can't reserve you a seat, sir, no.

0:37:340:37:36

It's too late to reserve you a seat on the next one.

0:37:360:37:39

-Wait a minute. I want a seat. I'm 86 years old.

-Uh-huh.

0:37:390:37:43

I don't want to be standing to go to London.

0:37:430:37:46

What I'm saying to you is I can't reserve you a seat,

0:37:460:37:48

whether you're 86 or...

0:37:480:37:50

I don't understand why. You must have...

0:37:500:37:52

No, we don't, we don't cos the reservations have closed now.

0:37:520:37:55

The problem that we do have,

0:37:570:37:59

we've got all the passengers for the five o'clock train,

0:37:590:38:01

most of them will be getting onto the half past five,

0:38:010:38:04

so we're going to have two loads trying to get onto the one train

0:38:040:38:07

and it's already half full already.

0:38:070:38:09

There you go!

0:38:090:38:11

There's a lot of space in the other coach down there,

0:38:110:38:14

if you just walk through there there's plenty of space.

0:38:140:38:16

Must be deaf.

0:38:180:38:20

As they say, there are no problems, only challenges!

0:38:200:38:23

-RADIO:

-'OK, thanks for that.'

0:38:230:38:25

Three hours away in Aberdeen, Eddie Barr's train is still on time.

0:38:320:38:36

Just the first over there.

0:38:360:38:38

One bike for Edinburgh. Bike gets its own ticket. No concessions!

0:38:390:38:45

He's been working as a train guard for over four years

0:38:450:38:48

and tonight he's working the six o'clock back to Edinburgh.

0:38:480:38:53

Thanks very much, cheers now. Nice, mate. Cheers. All right, guys.

0:38:530:38:57

How are we all doing? Home time, home time! Ah, good lads!

0:38:570:39:01

Tickets there, my friends.

0:39:020:39:04

Tickets. Tickets.

0:39:040:39:07

-What?

-Tickets.

0:39:070:39:09

That's an airline ticket. Oh, Amsterdam!

0:39:090:39:11

-You just come back from Amsterdam?

-Look, mate...

0:39:110:39:13

Excuse me.

0:39:130:39:15

What's that?

0:39:170:39:18

Is this going to fucking Edinburgh an' all?

0:39:200:39:22

It's going to Edinburgh, yes.

0:39:220:39:23

-I'm going to fucking party at Edinburgh, OK?

-Uh-huh.

0:39:230:39:26

-I'm inviting you to come with me.

-No, honestly, my friend.

0:39:260:39:29

-I appreciate the invite, know what I mean?

-OK, OK.

0:39:290:39:32

-Come with me.

-Right. OK, mate. OK, OK. Take it easy, eh?

0:39:320:39:36

It's all good, it's all good. Just come with me. We'll get you a wee seat.

0:39:360:39:39

-Right, OK. Let me buy you a drink.

-No, listen. Sit down.

0:39:390:39:43

-Where's the bar?

-Sit down. Right, listen.

0:39:430:39:46

There's no more drink for you.

0:39:460:39:48

I want to get you back to your home safely, OK?

0:39:480:39:50

-Mind if we go and have a beer in the...

-No, no beers.

0:39:500:39:53

You've had enough, my friend.

0:39:530:39:55

Ah, the joys!

0:39:550:39:57

HE LAUGHS I'll be keeping an eye on him!

0:39:570:40:01

Jeff, there's a tall guy, kind of black jacket...

0:40:010:40:04

You'll know him because he's pretty drunk and he's full of the crack.

0:40:040:40:07

-Tall, kind of thin, bigger than me. Bald head. OK?

-OK, nae bother.

0:40:070:40:11

-No drink for him. I'll probably be about, Jeff, anyway, OK?

-Nae bother.

0:40:110:40:15

-Enough. Enough, right? Enough.

-Want a drink?

0:40:170:40:20

No, I don't want a drink.

0:40:200:40:22

I'm phoning our control to ask the police to come to Dundee

0:40:220:40:25

to have a word with him because I can't get any sense out of him.

0:40:250:40:28

Is that you, Steph? I've got a gentleman who is pretty intoxicated.

0:40:280:40:34

Hello, gorgeous.

0:40:340:40:35

So I would like to get the BTP at Dundee Station,

0:40:350:40:39

cos I'm not too happy to go further than Dundee.

0:40:390:40:42

Thank you very much. Bye!

0:40:430:40:46

So all we need to do now is keep our fingers crossed that they come!

0:40:490:40:52

HE LAUGHS

0:40:520:40:53

I knew it was all going too smoothly!

0:40:550:40:58

First class this end, standard class right around the corner.

0:41:000:41:03

At Edinburgh Waverley, it's four hours

0:41:050:41:08

since train delays hit the evening rush hour,

0:41:080:41:10

and the backlog of passengers has finally started to clear.

0:41:100:41:13

We're back on track, as long as nothing else happens.

0:41:160:41:19

Still got a few running, John. Hurry up, in that door there.

0:41:200:41:23

WHISTLE BLOWS

0:41:230:41:25

Doors are locked.

0:41:250:41:27

We're trying to get them to stop running. It's been raining today.

0:41:270:41:30

Slippy here. If they go down they could just roll.

0:41:300:41:34

Forms to fill out, you know!

0:41:360:41:38

Eddie Barr's train has arrived in Dundee,

0:41:420:41:45

where the British Transport Police are due to deal with his drunken passenger.

0:41:450:41:49

-Yo?

-David, we are just waiting for the police to come...for you!

0:41:500:41:55

EDDIE LAUGHS

0:41:550:41:56

Erratic driving!

0:41:560:41:58

No, we've got a very intoxicated passenger, unfortunately.

0:41:580:42:02

-OK, no problem, Eddie.

-Thanks, Davie.

-Cheers.

0:42:020:42:04

-They are fighting over there.

-Sorry?

0:42:040:42:07

-They're fighting over there at the back?

-They're fighting?

0:42:070:42:09

-Yeah, I think so.

-There's been fighting.

0:42:090:42:13

What's happened?

0:42:170:42:19

There was a drunk guy, wouldnae go away, and he slapped me.

0:42:190:42:22

So I tried to restrain him, he banged his head against the wall...

0:42:220:42:26

-He's off.

-Where did he go?

-He's away, he's off.

0:42:260:42:29

-He's definitely off?

-He's definitely off.

0:42:320:42:34

Are we OK to go?

0:42:340:42:36

WHISTLE BLOWS

0:42:360:42:38

Thanks now.

0:42:380:42:39

Thanks, mate. Cheers.

0:42:440:42:46

Never a dull moment, eh? Cheers, mate.

0:42:470:42:50

With the state he's in and obviously the description that's been given,

0:42:550:42:58

I can't see him lasting long in Dundee

0:42:580:43:00

without getting into more trouble,

0:43:000:43:02

without getting apprehended or getting a good doin'.

0:43:020:43:04

One of those three or probably a combination of all of them!

0:43:040:43:07

HE LAUGHS

0:43:070:43:08

On the West Highland Line,

0:43:160:43:18

Iain MacKinnon is out inspecting his 70 miles of track.

0:43:180:43:22

There you are, there's a dead... Well, WAS a dead stag.

0:43:220:43:27

It has been eaten. It's been eaten by the crows.

0:43:270:43:31

As well as keeping the line clear,

0:43:350:43:37

Iain tightens any parts that have worked themselves loose.

0:43:370:43:41

On busy modern railways, sections of track are welded together

0:43:410:43:45

but here they're still joined by metal plates and bolts.

0:43:450:43:50

The spanner's no big enough for it.

0:43:500:43:52

It's just running all the time, it's a running bolt.

0:43:520:43:54

What I do is, I keep a note of... you know, when the bolts are bad.

0:43:540:43:59

So these wooden keys that keep coming out,

0:44:000:44:03

you've got to make sure that they do stay in place

0:44:030:44:06

because it's a check rail for the train

0:44:060:44:08

and that's what basically keeps the train on the track.

0:44:080:44:12

Quite often you get... six or seven out at a time.

0:44:120:44:15

I'm going to tell you a story about this house here. It's a sad story.

0:44:190:44:23

There was an old couple staying in that house,

0:44:230:44:27

and one day, the wee girl ran out the door

0:44:270:44:32

and ran across and the train came around the corner and killed her.

0:44:320:44:35

That's before I started on the railway. Many, many years ago.

0:44:370:44:41

I actually know the lady... the lady's grandmother.

0:44:430:44:46

The husband closed up for years.

0:44:460:44:50

Nearly 300 people are killed on British railways every year.

0:44:530:44:58

At Craigentinny Depot near Edinburgh, a high-speed train

0:45:020:45:06

that's been involved in a fatality has been brought in to be fixed.

0:45:060:45:09

As you can see, the damage that's happened is...quite extensive.

0:45:120:45:18

This one is...major.

0:45:200:45:23

It was totally destroyed, the front end.

0:45:230:45:26

Nothing could be really saved.

0:45:260:45:28

To build this back up and machine the door out

0:45:290:45:33

and getting things ready to try to put it back into service,

0:45:330:45:37

we're talking maybe a three- to four-day turnaround.

0:45:370:45:40

All the time they're off is money.

0:45:420:45:44

So they need them back in service ASAP.

0:45:440:45:46

I've done a few. It's still not a nice thing.

0:45:480:45:53

The first thing that normally hits you is you get a smell.

0:45:530:45:57

It's just not a nice thing. Not nice at all.

0:45:580:46:02

After every fatality, trains are thoroughly washed and disinfected.

0:46:060:46:10

Found a human foot. Actually, it turned out to be a lady's foot.

0:46:120:46:18

It was stuck in between the fuel pipe down here.

0:46:180:46:22

I found the bottom half of the jaw with the eye socket kind of...

0:46:240:46:28

Horrible.

0:46:300:46:31

But you just bag it, tag it and then send it away,

0:46:310:46:34

and it goes to the lab or wherever.

0:46:340:46:36

It's not very nice, but it's part of my job.

0:46:410:46:44

Not knowing who they are's obviously a lot easier.

0:46:450:46:49

There's family out there, you know,

0:46:510:46:53

they've lost their loved one or whatever else.

0:46:530:46:56

Most fatalities on the railways are suicides.

0:47:040:47:08

Two and a half years ago, this woman decided to jump in front of me.

0:47:100:47:14

I was doing 125... and by the time you've looked at it

0:47:160:47:20

and focused on it, you've hit... You can't do a thing about it.

0:47:200:47:24

I burst into tears before she even left the platform, because I knew

0:47:250:47:29

she wouldn't stop, I couldn't stop, I was going to have to witness it.

0:47:290:47:32

You keep looking cos you think, "They'll move, they'll stop. They'll change their mind."

0:47:320:47:36

But they're going... She was running too fast towards me to stop.

0:47:360:47:38

So I thought, "Oh, no. I'm going to have to watch this."

0:47:380:47:42

It was so surreal, I mean, I thought I was watching it on telly.

0:47:420:47:45

I couldn't believe my eyes, and the next minute, of course,

0:47:450:47:48

although you're in shock, all your emergency training's got to kick in.

0:47:480:47:53

You've got to do the right thing, stop the track, let everybody know.

0:47:530:47:57

Make sure you secure the train, stop the train properly. Everything.

0:47:570:48:01

What a bizarre day that was.

0:48:010:48:03

Thankfully I did all the things I had to do, and then had a meltdown later.

0:48:040:48:08

You can't...feel guilty about it.

0:48:130:48:17

And you knew that when you took the job on.

0:48:180:48:20

And I'm quite relieved that it happened later on in my career

0:48:220:48:26

and it didn't happen early on, because it was absolutely horrendous

0:48:260:48:30

and very traumatic for everybody concerned.

0:48:300:48:33

They're just not... They're not in, are they?

0:48:330:48:35

They're not thinking at all.

0:48:350:48:37

But it definitely changed me, definitely.

0:48:370:48:39

Scotland's landscape has made it an ideal destination

0:48:530:48:56

for passengers who want to experience train travel

0:48:560:48:59

from a bygone era.

0:48:590:49:00

Every year, private charter trains are squeezed onto the network

0:49:020:49:05

around regular passenger services.

0:49:050:49:09

WHISTLE BLOWS

0:49:090:49:11

Tonight, the restored Orient-Express Northern Belle,

0:49:130:49:17

run by a private company,

0:49:170:49:19

is making one of its luxury round trips from Edinburgh Waverley.

0:49:190:49:22

-Warwick carriage. Do you know your seat numbers?

-Do we know them?

0:49:220:49:26

119 passengers have paid £250 each

0:49:260:49:31

for the experience aboard this 1930s train.

0:49:310:49:33

Main course - we've got chestnut-stuffed guinea fowl breast

0:49:360:49:39

wrapped in pancetta with red cabbage fondue.

0:49:390:49:43

PASSENGERS CHEER AND APPLAUD

0:49:440:49:46

Three chicken, one veg, one bass, one normal.

0:49:470:49:50

You get used to everything

0:49:500:49:52

cos if I cook at home I lean against the side and I sway while I cook.

0:49:520:49:57

It's just something that you do!

0:49:570:49:59

This is a beetroot-cured salmon gravadlax...

0:49:590:50:02

During the four-hour round trip, 34 crew serve up

0:50:020:50:05

a kilogram of caviar and 150 bottles of champagne.

0:50:050:50:10

If you wait about three seconds, though. One, two, three.

0:50:100:50:13

Check again.

0:50:130:50:14

LAUGHTER

0:50:140:50:16

Thanks very much, ladies. Enjoy your dinner tonight.

0:50:160:50:20

Thank you very much.

0:50:200:50:21

This is better than a five-star restaurant.

0:50:210:50:24

We're hoping there's a snowfall

0:50:240:50:27

and we're staying on for a few hours. The later, the better.

0:50:270:50:32

It's a rare passenger that wishes they were delayed.

0:50:340:50:37

-Mind your step.

-Thank you.

-Thank you now.

-Thanks very much.

-Thanks. Bye.

0:50:400:50:45

-Thank you.

-Thanks very much.

-Thanks now. Bye.

0:50:450:50:48

Every night, Scotland's track teams are out working on some part of the network

0:50:500:50:55

on a rolling programme of repairs to track and infrastructure.

0:50:550:50:59

It's costly but necessary, just to keep the lines up and running.

0:50:590:51:03

Tonight, Edinburgh's Haymarket tunnels have been closed

0:51:060:51:09

so they can replace the worn-out rail on this busy commuter route to Glasgow.

0:51:090:51:14

This is one of the most important lines.

0:51:140:51:17

This is for the trains going right through to Glasgow and that.

0:51:170:51:21

If anything happens on here, it's a lot of money for delays, you know what I mean?

0:51:210:51:25

The team has just six hours to lay 300 feet of track

0:51:280:51:31

that's been eroded by damp in these Victorian tunnels.

0:51:310:51:35

It can be quite... Quite demanding.

0:51:350:51:38

The Network Rail team have to complete this job

0:51:390:51:42

before the first train runs through at 9am.

0:51:420:51:45

A small army of contractors has also been drafted in to meet that deadline.

0:51:450:51:50

From the minute you get to the depot to the minute you go home to your family, it's go, go, go.

0:51:500:51:55

Unfortunately, that's the railway for you.

0:51:590:52:03

Any job in a tunnel, basically, is a nightmare.

0:52:030:52:05

It's not the cleanest environment you want to be working in. A wee bit of...

0:52:050:52:09

muck as in...human waste, I'd say.

0:52:090:52:14

That's what it is. Human dirt that's on the track there.

0:52:140:52:18

You don't know what you're touching.

0:52:180:52:20

While your friends are out on a Saturday night having a drink... "Do you want to come out?"

0:52:250:52:29

"No. I can't. I'm working."

0:52:290:52:31

Unfortunately, this is when the majority of work's happening, the weekend.

0:52:310:52:36

Weekends and night shifts. You're just a vampire.

0:52:360:52:40

Just in time for the Twilight season, eh?

0:52:400:52:42

HE LAUGHS

0:52:420:52:43

They're all getting drunk and we're in here working away.

0:52:500:52:55

I know where I'd rather be.

0:52:550:52:58

Can't do it during the day. The trains have to run.

0:52:580:53:01

So you can only do it when they've stopped shunting and they've closed the tracks down.

0:53:010:53:06

Always smiling.

0:53:080:53:09

As long as everyone makes it home to their family in the morning, that's what it's all about.

0:53:090:53:14

The contractor workers have been booked until seven,

0:53:200:53:23

but with 15 tonnes of rail to replace, it may not be enough time.

0:53:230:53:28

I think there's been a bit of a breakdown in communications.

0:53:280:53:31

As you can see, the job's not completed yet.

0:53:310:53:34

Obviously, we need all hands on deck to get this job finished.

0:53:340:53:37

It's just before the contractors are due to finish.

0:53:370:53:40

But it's clear to team leader John Morgan,

0:53:400:53:43

-his bosses need to agree to keep them on longer.

-I don't think they'll all stay on.

0:53:430:53:47

We need all hands on deck here. This is getting a wee bit hectic now.

0:53:470:53:54

Keeping them on will be costly.

0:53:540:53:56

So, while John waits for a decision, the team cracks on with the work.

0:53:560:54:00

Cheers. Cheers.

0:54:170:54:18

Finally, John's bosses agree to keep the contractors on for an extra hour and a half.

0:54:200:54:25

Got the rest of the guys till half-past eight so we're all here till the death.

0:54:250:54:29

Hopefully it goes a wee bit smoother now.

0:54:290:54:33

With the new rail section secured in place,

0:54:330:54:35

the last part of the job is to weld them together...

0:54:350:54:39

at a temperature of 3,000 degrees Celsius.

0:54:390:54:43

When it's near water, it can't be put out.

0:54:430:54:47

It says water and fire.

0:54:470:54:49

I've not had an accident. Touch wood it stays that way.

0:54:490:54:53

HE CHUCKLES

0:54:530:54:54

BELLS PEAL

0:54:560:54:59

After this, it'll be home. Get the head down for a while,

0:55:040:55:08

then the football this afternoon. Then back out night shift Monday night.

0:55:080:55:12

That's me. Rest up for Monday!

0:55:120:55:15

-Fresh air.

-Great to get out in the fresh air.

0:55:170:55:20

Glad that's over.

0:55:220:55:24

By 9am, Edinburgh's Haymarket tunnels are back open for business...

0:55:320:55:37

..ready for another day on the Scottish railways.

0:55:390:55:43

You've not got a reservation from Glasgow at a particular time,

0:55:500:55:54

so you should have got the earlier train from Glasgow to get here.

0:55:540:55:56

How am I supposed to know that?

0:55:560:55:58

-You have to have a reservation for the bicycle.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

0:55:580:56:01

-Do you pay for that?

-No, it's free.

0:56:010:56:03

But you have to go to the ticket office for it.

0:56:030:56:05

-CAMERAMAN: Do you quite enjoy this?

-Love it. Love it!

0:56:070:56:10

Bolt missing there, so I've got to take note of that.

0:56:270:56:31

HE WHISTLES

0:56:310:56:33

I never spoke English till I was about 12 years of age.

0:56:350:56:38

I was brought up...

0:56:380:56:40

The school we were at where I was brought up,

0:56:400:56:44

it was all Gaelic.

0:56:440:56:46

'S e deogh obair ma tha anns... a railway.

0:56:460:56:49

-I don't know what the Gaelic is for railway.

-HE CHUCKLES

0:56:490:56:53

-CAMERAMAN: What does that mean?

-It means, "It's a good job for the railway."

0:56:530:56:57

Er...

0:56:570:56:58

De an uair a tha sinn gun dol bidh ann an Mallaig?

0:56:580:57:01

What time are we going to be in Mallaig?

0:57:010:57:04

Ca a bheil an treana? A bheil e anmoch a rithist? Where's the train? Is it late again?

0:57:060:57:11

Tha e snog. Tha gu math...

0:57:130:57:15

Tha breagha...

0:57:150:57:18

gun faigh a Lochailort.

0:57:180:57:21

'S e snog a th'ann.

0:57:210:57:22

-What does that mean?

-It is a beautiful place and it's nice to walk.

0:57:240:57:28

HE CHUCKLES

0:57:280:57:30

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