Oh, Doctor Beeching!

In the pilot episode, Jack Skinner (Paul Shane) the porter is acting station master until a replacement is found. Without a station master the station has become rather disorganised, for instance the signalman, Harry Lambert (Stephen Lewis), is running several other businesses, seeing his signaling duties as an annoyance ("ruddy trains"). The station is part-run by the eccentric booking clerk, Ethel Schumann (Su Pollard), whose idiotic son Wilfred, the product of a relationship with an American soldier during the war, is the station dogsbody.

Also present are Vera Plumtree, (Barbara New), whose late husband used to work on the railway ("he was an engine driver, you know"), the actual engine driver, Arnold Thomas (Ivor Roberts), his inexperienced fireman, Ralph (Perry Benson), who is training to be a driver, and the charismatic guard, Percy.

Soon the new station master arrives in the guise of Cecil Parkin (Jeffrey Holland), a stern, well spoken man. He is shocked at the state of the station and asks to meet the staff. It soon emerges that during the war he was a lover of Jack Skinner's wife, May, who runs the station café. A running subplot to the series is the question over whether Jack's daughter is actually his. Meanwhile, at the end of the episode a letter is found threatening the station with closure, which begins the series.

Despite gaining large audience figures, the programme only lasted for two series, leaving the question as to the station's future unanswered.

Title and music

The title was a reference to the music hall song and Will Hay film Oh, Mr. Porter! and a modified version was sung as the end titles by Su Pollard;

Oh, Dr. Beeching what have you done? :There once were lots of trains to catch, but soon there will be none,:I'll have to buy a bike, 'cos I can't afford a car,:Oh, Dr. Beeching what a naughty man you are!

Cast

* Jeffrey Holland as Cecil Parkin, the station master
* Paul Shane as Jack Skinner, the porter
* Julia Deakin as May Skinner, buffet manageress; played by Sherrie Hewson in the pilot
* Stephen Lewis as Harry Lambert, the signalman
* Su Pollard as Ethel Schumann, the booking clerk
* Ivor Roberts as Arnold Thomas, the engine driver
* Perry Benson as Ralph, the fireman
* Barbara New as Vera Plumtree of Railway Cottages

The co-writer Richard Spendlove made a guest appearance as the inspector, Mr. Orkindale.

External links

*
* BBC Comedy Guide: Oh, Doctor Beeching!
* British Sitcom Guide