The Flockton Flyer

"The Flockton Flyer" was a two-series x six episodes each children's TV series made by Southern TV for the ITV network. Series 1 was first transmitted in spring, 1977 and Series 2 followed in early 1978. Programmes were shown at 4.45 pm on Monday afternoons.

The "star" of the show was an ex- Great Western Railway 0-6-0PT ("pannier tank") locomotive, and much of the location filming was done on the newly re-opened West Somerset Railway, during 1976 and 1977.

The two series follow the adventures of the Carter family, as they struggle to re-open and run the old Flockton to Lane End branch railway, previous closed by British Railways.

SERIES 1 - 6 x 30 minute programmes "The Flockton Flyer"1.1 BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE 18/04/19771.2 GAME SET AND MATCH 25/04/19771.3 PULL THE OTHER ONE 02/05/19771.4 UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES 09/05/19771.5 OO DO YOU SUPPOSE WILL GET THE MEDAL? 16/05/19771.6 I NAME THIS SHIP 23/05/1977

SERIES 2 - 6 x 30 minute programmes "Flockton Flyer"2.1 RACE YOU FOR IT 09/01/19782.2 READY WHEN YOU ARE MR CUTLEY 16/01/19782.3 WHAT A LITTLE BEAUTY 23/01/19782.4 A QUESTION OF HONOUR 30/01/19782.5 OP IT 06/02/19782.6 A LITTLE BIT OF SOMEWHERE 13/02/1978

REGULAR CAST:

Bob Carter: David NealCommander Frost: Anthony SharpJimmy Carter: Peter DuncanJan Carter: Gwyneth StrongJessica Carter: Annabelle Lanyon (series 1) Catlin Strong (Series 2)Bill Jelly: Geoffrey RussellAlthea Frost: Margaret Wedlake (not in all episodes

OTHER CAST:

1.1 Ted Phillips (Denis Gilmore)1.2 Joe Pratt (John Barrett)1.3 Don Davis (Phil Daniels) Rev. Walker (Stacy Davies)1.4 Samantha Peters (Peggyann Clifford)1.5 Toff (Michael Ripper) Eric (Ben Howard) Diesel Driver (Steve Kelly)1.6 Mr Jenkins (Dudley Jones)

2.1 The Duke of Flockton (Patrick Mower)2.2 Christopher Bell (John Moulder-Brown) Nolan Cutley (Harry Fowler) Felicity (Penny Irving)2.3 C.P.O. Potts (Colin Douglas) Farmer: (Thomas Heathcote)2.4 Master of Foxhounds (Gerald Harper) Vet (Edward Underdown)2.5 Young Man (Christoper Douglas)2.6 Sylvia (Illona Linthwaite)

Written by Peter Whitbread

Theme Music: Jugg MusicFilm Camera: Joe Hardy, Peter Greenhalgh (Series 1) Roy Page (Series 2) Film Sound: Stan PhippsDubbing Mixer: Ron HusseyFilm Editor: Christopher Wentzell (Series 1) Michael Hunt (Series 2)Design: John Dilly (Series 1) Gregory Lawson (Series 2)

Executive Producer: Lewis Rudd

Producer (Series 1) and Producer/Director (Series 2) – Colin Nutley

A Production by Southern Television for ITV

Series 1 was repeated on ITV during 1978, but the second series had no terrestrial repeat. Both series were repeated on The Children's Channel, on cable TV in Britain during the early 1990s. It appears that the programmes were shown on Dutch and German TV stations.

The rights to "The Flockton Flyer" are now (April 2008) held by Southern Star, and Australian media company who also hold the rights to several other Southern TV productions, including "Worzel Gummidge", "Freewheelers" and "The Famous Five". To date, there has been no VHS or DVD release of "The Flockton Flyer".