Titfield Facts
Stand In
Mervyn Seale was a "stand in" for John Gregson's character, (the squire)
for all the second unit shots. These would include all the distant shots
where the character was not clearly seen. During a "take" and whilst
travelling along in the brake van, Mervyn's hat blew off. He decided not
to retrieve it, and says that the train was so far in the distance that
you wouldn't have noticed anyway!
Incidentally, the best thing about being hired by the film company as an
extra in 1952 wasn't the money (£5.00 per day I think), but the food.
Rationing was still on in part, and the food provided for the crew and
cast was according to Mervyn quite fantastic!
The railway behind the story
The story was an original piece of work by "Tibby" Clarke. The idea came from the Talyllyn Railway, which Clarke had visited in
1951. This narrow gauge line from Towyn to Abergynolwyn had just then
been taken over by volunteers, and was the VERY FIRST preserved railway in
the WORLD!
Beeching
Richard, later Lord Beeching, infamous ex chairman of ICI who (in 1963)
published his report "The Re-shaping of British Railways", was a neighbour
of Clarke's when he wrote the Titfield Thunderbolt. Ironic, as the
"Beeching Report" later resulted in the wholesale closure of many branch
lines like Titfield's.
Ronnie Scott's Drummer
The backside of John Christianson, the drummer in Ronnie Scott's jazz
band, features prominently in the scene where the villagers are pushing
the train towards the uncoupled engine. At the time he was working at
Westinghouse, a local engineering employer.
Vandals
The film makers managed to damage "Lion" ("Thunderbolt") whilst filming. Watch
out for the force of the impact when the train is reunited with "Thunderbolt".
The locomotive's rear frame was bent by the force of the impact, and remains
so to this day!
Learner Driver
According to Ealing's publicity department, John Gregson had never driven a
car before the Titfield Thunderbolt, in which he drives a Morris Bull-nose.
He must have been a quick learner, as after filming finished, he went straight
on to star in "Genevieve", all about the London to Brighton vintage car run.
According to his daughter Mary, he didn't even possess a driving licence at
the time!
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