God's Wonderful Railway facts for kids
God's Wonderful Railway is a British children's TV show made by the BBC. It first aired on 6 February 1980. The series had eight episodes, each lasting 30 minutes. Some of the actors in the show included Gorden Kaye, June Brown, Gerard Kelly, Richard Pearson and Terry Molloy.
What the Show is About
This TV series tells the story of the Grant family. They work on a railway line that belongs to the Great Western Railway. The story follows three different generations of the family. This means you see the grandparents, their children, and their grandchildren.
The show is split into three main parts:
- Permanent Way: This part shows how the railway line was built. It takes place during the time of Queen Victoria.
- Clear Ahead: This section shows the railway line in action. It is set during the Edwardian times, after Queen Victoria's reign.
- Fire on the Line: This final part takes place during the Second World War. It shows how the railway was used during this important time.
Because the show was made for children, each part focuses on the younger members of the Grant family. The same characters appear as adults later in the story. They play smaller roles as the story moves forward through time.
The name "God's Wonderful Railway" was a real nickname. People used it to describe the Great Western Railway before it became part of a national system.
How the Show Was Made
Avril Rowlands wrote all the episodes for God's Wonderful Railway. The episodes were directed by Fiona Cumming and John Prowse.
The show was filmed in real locations. Much of the filming happened on and around the Severn Valley Railway. The music for the show's opening and closing credits also connects to this area. It uses a special version of a piece of music called The Severn Suite by Elgar. This version was arranged for a brass band.
Where to Watch and Read More
You can still watch God's Wonderful Railway today. It is available on DVD. You can also find it to download on Amazon Prime Video in the UK. Some parts of the show can be watched on YouTube.
The stories from the TV series were also turned into books. These were a series of three children's fiction books.
See also
In Spanish: God's Wonderful Railway para niños
