0:00:06 > 0:00:08Well, it's that time of year again.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10The days are longer. The sun is shining.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13It's time to get away for a break. But where to go?
0:00:13 > 0:00:14Decisions, decisions.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18This week, I've come to a bustling hub
0:00:18 > 0:00:20of international and national travel.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22So, all aboard.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25To meet the people who help put the railway staff
0:00:25 > 0:00:26and passengers back on track.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28To talk to people on the move.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31And to enjoy hymns from around Great Britain.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47I've come to St Pancras train station
0:00:47 > 0:00:48in the heart of London.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51It's been voted one of the capital's favourite landmarks.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54With its Victorian architecture, you can definitely see why.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Over 40 million passengers use this station annually
0:00:59 > 0:01:02en route to destinations both near and far.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04It's also, of course, a gateway to Europe.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And our first hymn certainly fits the bill.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Everyone's rushing around, but if you stop to talk to people,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51you'd be amazed at where they've come from
0:03:51 > 0:03:52and where they're going to.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- You're from...- Brisbane, Queensland.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59How do you guys know each other, then?
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Schoolmates. And we haven't seen each other for 57 years.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Last time I was here I had hair.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06LAUGHTER
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- Do you use this railway station a lot?- Yes, I do.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12I always have to come here
0:04:12 > 0:04:15to get some tarts for my husband on the way home.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18Oh, isn't that lovely? Wish my wife did that for me.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21What are you doing here today?
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- I've just been to wave goodbye to my uncle, Rod.- Where's he going?
0:04:25 > 0:04:29To Paris, and then after that, he's going to Spain.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31And he didn't take you with him?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36So, tell me why you're in the station today?
0:04:36 > 0:04:38I actually live here.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41I actually live just overlooking the Eurostar terminal in St Pancras.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- Absolutely fab. - You live in the station?- I do.
0:04:44 > 0:04:45It's fantastic.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48From my bedroom window, I can look out onto St Pancras arch
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and see that right from where I'm standing. It's brilliant.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54Have you got a favourite bit?
0:04:54 > 0:04:58The big statue of them. The soldier kissing his girl goodbye.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- I think that's really good. - Yes, it is.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06I like the plinth that goes round the bottom,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09because if you go around it, it's got all sorts of things,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11like miners and nurses, railwaymen.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13All sorts of things.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17The station is obviously named after a saint,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and I'll tell you more about him in just a moment.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25# Gospel train is coming
0:05:25 > 0:05:28# Hear the whistle blow
0:05:28 > 0:05:32# If you think you're ready, it's almost time to go
0:05:32 > 0:05:34# Get on board, little children
0:05:34 > 0:05:36# Get on board, little children
0:05:36 > 0:05:38# Get on board, little children
0:05:38 > 0:05:41# There's room for you, and room for me
0:05:41 > 0:05:43# And room for many more
0:05:43 > 0:05:45# All aboard
0:05:45 > 0:05:47# Standing at the station
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- # Ticket in my hand - All aboard
0:05:50 > 0:05:53# See the train is coming It's bound for Glory Land
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- # Get on board, little children - Alleluia
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- # Get on board, little children - Alleluia
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- # Get on board, little children - Alleluia
0:06:00 > 0:06:03# There's room for you and room for me
0:06:03 > 0:06:05# And room for many more
0:06:07 > 0:06:12# This train is bound for glory, this train
0:06:12 > 0:06:16# This train is bound for glory, this train
0:06:16 > 0:06:18# This train is bound for glory
0:06:18 > 0:06:20# Come gather around and listen to the story
0:06:20 > 0:06:23# This train is bound for glory, this train
0:06:26 > 0:06:30# Clickety-clack, clickety-clack Hear that train come down the track
0:06:30 > 0:06:32# Clickety-clack, clickety-clack
0:06:32 > 0:06:34# If you're ready, we'll take you back
0:06:34 > 0:06:38# Clickety-clack, clickety-clack Hear that train come down the track
0:06:38 > 0:06:40# Clickety-clack, clickety-clack
0:06:40 > 0:06:43# If you're ready, we'll take you back
0:06:43 > 0:06:45# This train is bound for glory, this train
0:06:45 > 0:06:47# Hear that train come down the track
0:06:47 > 0:06:49# This train is bound for glory, this train
0:06:49 > 0:06:51# If you're ready, we'll take you back
0:06:51 > 0:06:53# This train is bound for glory
0:06:53 > 0:06:56# Come gather round and listen to the story
0:06:56 > 0:06:59# This train is bound for glory, this train
0:06:59 > 0:07:01# Get on board, little children
0:07:01 > 0:07:03# Get on board, little children
0:07:03 > 0:07:06# Get on board, little children
0:07:06 > 0:07:07# There's room for many more
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- # Get on board, little children - Alleluia
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- # Get on board, little children - Alleluia
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- # Get on board, little children - Alleluia
0:07:14 > 0:07:16# There's room for you, and room for me
0:07:16 > 0:07:23# And room for many mo-o-ore
0:07:23 > 0:07:25# Yeah! #
0:07:28 > 0:07:31"What the Londoner sees in his mind's eye
0:07:31 > 0:07:34"is that cluster of towers and pinnacles
0:07:34 > 0:07:35"seen from Pentonville Hill.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40"And outlined against a foggy sunset.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45"And the great arc of Barlow's train shed,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48"gaping to devour incoming engines,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50"and the sudden burst
0:07:50 > 0:07:55"of exuberant Gothic of the hotel, seen from gloomy Judd Street."
0:08:01 > 0:08:03I'm sure you'd agree that the inside
0:08:03 > 0:08:07of this celebrated Victorian building is pretty incredible.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10But, without this man, the building would have been demolished.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman fought to save this famous landmark.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15Good on him.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18His statue stands here, marvelling at the wonderful St Pancras arch.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22Well, his determination is mirrored in our next hymn.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34I've discovered that St Pancras was a Christian,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38martyred in the fourth century, aged just 14.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41St Pancras Old Church, which is close to the station,
0:10:41 > 0:10:42was named after him.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45It's thought to be one of the oldest churches in the UK.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53We're here at St Pancras. The list of destinations is endless.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Modern technology, of course,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58means we can cover a very large distance in a small space of time.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01From here, you can be in Europe in just a few hours.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Amidst the hustle and bustle at the station,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09there is a team of chaplains at work.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13'The thing that really keeps me going is that
0:11:13 > 0:11:16'Jesus was out and about and he was rolling his sleeves up
0:11:16 > 0:11:19'and he was getting stuck into people's lives.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22'That's very much what you see as a railway chaplain.'
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Jeff Potter is based at the station, and on the trains.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29He sees the highs and lows of both the passengers and the staff.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32It has its ups and downs.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33You often see the tragedies of life,
0:11:33 > 0:11:38people that have been killed on the railway, meet the families,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41meet people that have seen really nasty incidences,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43but you also get involved
0:11:43 > 0:11:45in the nitty-gritty of personal life, as well,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47for people on the station.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It's like a little community, a little family.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54'And how did you become a railway chaplain, then?
0:11:54 > 0:11:56'Well, it goes back a long way.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59'I came to faith when I was in the army, as a young man.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02'While serving in Northern Ireland, I felt that...
0:12:02 > 0:12:04'A call from God, I suppose you'd call it, really,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07'where I thought I could do more things in life.'
0:12:07 > 0:12:09So, I left the army,
0:12:09 > 0:12:11went to theology college for a couple of years,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14and then applied to London City Mission, who supply the chaplains.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17They gave me the job to work as the underground chaplain,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19and I've done that for eight years.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22And six years working at Liverpool Street as a chaplain,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25and I've been over at King's Cross for about three-and-a-half years,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28now, covering this station, as well.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34During the London bombings, lots of terrible stuff going on,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37and lots of people just out walking the streets,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40trying to get home, and you know, the carnage that had gone on there.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44I was in the station and a train driver got off the train
0:12:44 > 0:12:48and he walked over and he saw the badge and he said, "Oh, Chaplain!
0:12:48 > 0:12:52"So, where's your God been today?" And I said,
0:12:52 > 0:12:56"Well, perhaps he's been people going around, like ourselves,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58"and we'd be trying to help people,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00"taking out water, and tea and biscuits,
0:13:00 > 0:13:04"and give them whatever comfort we can do in a bad situation."
0:13:04 > 0:13:07And he said, "Oh, all right, then. Perhaps you've got a point."
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Sort of walked off.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Often, people will say, "Why did you become a Christian?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16"You seem quite normal."
0:13:16 > 0:13:19And there's just great opportunities to explain about your own faith,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21and to also talk about other people's faiths, as well.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25And to learn a little about, you know, their lifestyles,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27and their backgrounds and their faiths.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31As you walk around and you feel that you've got a connection to God
0:13:31 > 0:13:34yourself, you're hoping that, in some way,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36that connection is going to be made with other people.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Through them - even though you know you're imperfect,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42and you do things wrong -
0:13:42 > 0:13:45through them seeing God at work in you, and in your life.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45As well as the railway chaplains, there are others
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- who are here to help. Good to see you.- Nice to meet you.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51You've got, sort of, multiple roles in the station, haven't you?
0:15:51 > 0:15:54I have, yes. I also work for Eurostar.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I'm an engineer. That's my full-time job. And with the police,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00I'm a special constable. And I just give a bit of time every month.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03What's the best bit about the job that you're doing now?
0:16:03 > 0:16:05It really is the communication. Meeting people.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07You know, this place is fantastic for that.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09You see people from all different walks of life.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Some people don't need your help, some people do need your help.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16And it's nice to be able to see if you can assist in some way.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23I supervise a team of police officers
0:16:23 > 0:16:25and community support officers.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27We're responsible for the overall security in the station.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31We deal with passport control, retailers,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34and immigration authorities, the French police.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37We deal with all aspects of policing within the station.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41For you, it's a new crowd every day.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Yes, we have a transit population in the passengers,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46but this place is a small town centre.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49So, the staff remain consistent.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52We form close working relationships with them,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55to make the place the safe, nice environment that it is.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01Basically, it is very, very much a community on rails.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Do you get a lot of support from the railway chaplains?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Yes. The railway chaplains are fantastic.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11There are certain things you don't want to take home with you.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14And you don't want to impart upon your partner, or anybody else,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18and that's where, in my view, the railway chaplains are fantastic.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21They are able to listen to you and, if not necessarily give you advice,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23but it's just nice to offload it onto someone.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28'We get everyday policing issues,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32'but we also get the really lovely thing in the morning,'
0:17:32 > 0:17:35when the kids are going up on the Eurostar, the happy faces,
0:17:35 > 0:17:40the tired faces when they come back. Not many days I don't enjoy.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42It's such a nice place to work.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45I still, after 38 years, enjoy coming to work.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Well, these lucky travellers are heading off to Europe.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Isn't it funny how people say "God speed"
0:17:53 > 0:17:55as someone sets off on a trip?
0:17:55 > 0:17:57It's a traditional way of wishing someone
0:17:57 > 0:18:00a safe and successful journey, with God's help.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Well, our next hymn shares the same sentiments.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53The chaplains are always on the move,
0:20:53 > 0:20:54travelling out to other stations,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57meeting staff and passengers along the way.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01No day's the same. You can plan a day, and go out thinking,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04"I want to go and visit so-and-so at such-and-such a station,"
0:21:04 > 0:21:07or you'll have a conversation on the train with someone.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10They'll start off asking, what does the chaplain do?
0:21:10 > 0:21:13and then the personal stuff will come out.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17One of the local station staff the chaplains have helped is Albert.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22I had a bit of a problem in my personal life and Jeff,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25the railway chaplain, he came round. He was a wonderful guy.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28A nice chat, we prayed.
0:21:28 > 0:21:29And, on top of all that,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33he actually went down to where I was staying,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36and loaded up his car with a large portion of my stuff,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and took it up to his own house and stored it there
0:21:39 > 0:21:42until I got myself sorted out in my new place.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46It seems to me, they seem to be the glue that holds the station together.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Yes, because the glue is something you don't see
0:21:48 > 0:21:50until you need it, when things start coming apart.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Enjoy the rest of the day, anyway. Take care, bye-bye.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Another member of the chaplaincy team based at St Pancras
0:21:57 > 0:22:00is Byron Lewis.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Byron, was it a calling for you, as well?
0:22:02 > 0:22:06'My god was money, really, and I felt money was what bought
0:22:06 > 0:22:09'really true happiness, and it didn't work out.'
0:22:09 > 0:22:11I wasn't really good at business
0:22:11 > 0:22:12and I got myself in debt,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and I got myself spiralling down into depression.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20One night I was just reflecting on my life,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22I was feeling really down, and I really felt in need,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25and I called out to the so-called man in the sky,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29I know it's a bit impersonal,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32but, yeah, I had a sense of peace
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and that began my journey to God.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37And I found him in the Bible,
0:22:37 > 0:22:41and I had a real sense that, yeah, this was the way,
0:22:41 > 0:22:45this is my destiny, and I was called to the London City Mission.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49I'd been helping out in one of their local centres
0:22:49 > 0:22:52and I think this...
0:22:52 > 0:22:55God had mercy upon me. God had compassion upon me,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59and I wanted to share this compassion
0:22:59 > 0:23:02and this love, really, for people.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09'There was something that drew me to the railways,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11'is that... It was an instant,'
0:23:11 > 0:23:13I think it was in the BR days, and we never had tickets.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15The BR man said,
0:23:15 > 0:23:17"Look, I'm going to let you off,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19"but you've got to act like you've been fined."
0:23:19 > 0:23:24So, me and my mate were let off from paying the ticket.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27And, in a way, it's an expression of God's grace, really, to me,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30cos I've said some awful things against God as a young man
0:23:30 > 0:23:33and I want to share this grace with others, really.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35So, go on then,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38what's the best thing about being a railway chaplain?
0:23:38 > 0:23:42We've got this wonderful opportunity to go and visit so many people.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46We might be that little signpost pointing them towards God,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49or faith, or answers.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity of travel.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Inspire us to travel and experience the wider world.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Protect those who get us to our destination
0:26:44 > 0:26:46and keep us safe on our journey.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Amen.
0:26:53 > 0:27:01# The Lord bless you and keep you
0:27:01 > 0:27:09# The Lord make his face to shine upon you
0:27:09 > 0:27:17# To shine upon you and be gracious
0:27:17 > 0:27:25# And be gracious unto you
0:27:25 > 0:27:34# The Lord bless you and keep you
0:27:34 > 0:27:41# The Lord make his face to shine upon you
0:27:41 > 0:27:48# To shine upon you and be gracious
0:27:48 > 0:27:55# And be gracious unto you
0:27:57 > 0:28:04# The Lord lift up the light
0:28:04 > 0:28:12# Of his countenance upon you
0:28:12 > 0:28:20# The Lord lift up the light
0:28:20 > 0:28:28# Of his countenance upon you
0:28:30 > 0:28:36# And give you peace
0:28:36 > 0:28:44# And give you peace
0:28:44 > 0:28:52# And give you peace
0:28:52 > 0:29:00# And give you peace
0:29:01 > 0:29:08# A-a-amen
0:29:10 > 0:29:18# A-a-amen
0:29:18 > 0:29:25# A-a-amen
0:29:25 > 0:29:28# A-a-amen
0:29:28 > 0:29:35# A-a-amen
0:29:35 > 0:29:40# A-a-amen
0:29:40 > 0:29:48# A-a-amen. #
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Well, today has left me wondering where to go next.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01There are so many choices.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04We're going to end with a hymn giving thanks for guidance
0:30:04 > 0:30:06and strength on life's journey.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10Lord, For The Years. Until next time, bye.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Next week, on your marks for an Olympic special,
0:32:59 > 0:33:03as Dan Walker looks forward to the greatest show on Earth.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05He'll meet some of Team GB's top athletes,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09discover more about one of his own Olympic heroes,
0:33:09 > 0:33:13and introduce some spectacular hymns, fit for the occasion.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd