The complete series one and two of the historical drama set in a bustling Midlands railway station in the Victorian era.

In these two series, set on selected dates in January 1895 and December 1896, we follow the day-to-day shenanigans of Bridgford station master Joe Braddock and his staff, along with a motley crew of passengers and passers-by. Each episode is a self-contained drama, as well as telling the ongoing story of the crises and challenges tackled by the team, and their rivalries, enmities, friendships and burgeoning romances.

As series one begins, a goods train is derailed - just as a VIP visitor is about to arrive. As the crew scramble to clear the line, it becomes evident that the accident has damaged the Sherwood Tunnel: and something sinister lurks within. When a man is found dead, a public inquiry is launched - and as a second disaster looms, signalman Fred Roberts fights to clear his name....

In series two, newly promoted Regional Superintendent Archibald Cripps is hatching a plot to replace Joe as station manager. Adding to Joe's worries are a painful tooth, pickpockets, fare-dodgers and his daughter Josie's relationship with porter Jack Robson. But when a train gets stuck in a snowdrift, with a young pregnant woman on board, it's up to Joe and his rescue party to save the day - even if it means getting fired....

Written by Steve Chambers (HighLites), these gentle, engaging plays take us back to a bygone age of travel, when the railways ruled the roost. They star Sean Baker as Joe Braddock, with a full cast including Philip Jackson, Christopher Scott, Julia Ford, Colleen Prendergast, Pauline Letts and John Hartley.

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 January-1 February 1995 (Series 1), 27 November-18 December 1996 (Series 2).

Credits:

Written by Steve Chambers

Directed by David Hunter, Celia de Wolff and Marion Nancarrow

Technical presentation by Richard Beadsmore, Keith Graham, David Blount, Tim Sturgeon, Ian Harker and Hilary Carruthers

Cast:

Joe Braddock - Sean Baker

Tidmarsh - Philip Jackson/Christopher Scott

Josie - Julia Ford/Colleen Prendergast

Ada - Pauline Letts

Fred Roberts - John Hartley

Mr Cripps/Moran/Woodcock - Gavin Muir

Phoebe - Becky Hindley

Sydney - Tom Bevan

Jackson - Joshua Towb/Chris Pavlo

Wheeler - Tom Knight/Keith Drinkel

Robson - Lloyd Notice/Robert Harper

Mrs Brook Hammond - Frances Jeater

General Booth/Blind man - Michael Tudor Barnes

Parkin - Michael Tudor Barnes/Stephen Thorne

Girl thief/Sheena - Deborah Berlin

Professor Geider - David Collings

McCarthy - Ian Masters

Lydia - Geraldine Fitzgerald

Hancock - Nicholas Collett/Alex Lowe

Ellen Davison - Annabel Mullion

Sarah - Elizabeth Anson

Crippled John - Ronald Herdman

Russian acrobat - David B Miller

Reverend Sentence/Dr Keeble - George Parsons

Meat porter - Ian Peck

Purvis - Oliver Senton

Nellie - Jane Slavin

Hall/Mr Newton - Peter Whitman

Sheena MacDonald - Deborah Berlin

Mrs MacDonald/Miss Walker - Jilly Bond

Mr MacDonald - Peter Yapp

Dr Pettigrew - David Holt

Tuffnell/Mr Alcock - Don McCorkindale

Sir James Chettle/Ridley - Stephen Thorne

Mrs Peabody - Joyce Gibbs

Hickman - Tim Seely

Jamie - Ian Taylor

Captain Hargreaves - Mark Bonnar

Bishop - James Taylor

Bert - Peter Gunn

Colonel Smithers-Jenkins/Holbrook/Farmer White/Mr Jenkins - Ioan Meredith

Florrie - Amanda Gordon

Flora - Tracy Wiles

Mrs Ellen Scrimshaw - Ann Beach

Dr Marie Pascal - Alice Arnold

Harry - James Daley

Dora - Ashley Moore

Paper Seller - Kim Wall

Janet/Jane Cakebread - Joanna Monro

Mary - Adjoa Andoh

Miss Joseph - Mary Roscoe

Mrs Gunn/Lady Casterton - Shirley Dixon