The Flockton Flyer
A children's series about reopening a closed branch railway.
The Flockton Flyer is a British children's television series produced by Southern Television for the ITV network, first broadcast in 1977. It follows the Carter family as they reopen and run a closed branch railway line, reflecting the contemporary heritage railway movement. The series provided early screen appearances for actors such as Peter Duncan and Gwyneth Strong.
- first_broadcast
- January 1977
Lore & Background
The Flockton Flyer was created by scriptwriter Peter Whitbread, who wrote 17 episodes, of which 12 were filmed across two series. The first series aired in January 1977, the second in early 1978, both on Monday afternoons at 4:45 pm. The series was repeated on ITV in 1978 and 1980, and later on cable and satellite channels including The Children's Channel, Film 24, and Talking Pictures TV. Location filming took place on the newly reopened West Somerset Railway in 1976 and 1977, using its engines and rolling stock. The star locomotive was ex-GWR 0-6-0PT no. 6412, built in 1934, which had previously operated branch line services and was one of the first locomotives on the West Somerset Railway. The on-screen title changed from 'The Flockton Flyer' in series 1 to 'Flockton Flyer' in series 2.
Reader's Guide
The Flockton Flyer is significant as a children's television programme that capitalized on the growing heritage railway movement in 1970s Britain, using a real preserved railway as its setting. It provided early roles for future well-known actors Peter Duncan and Gwyneth Strong, and featured guest appearances from classical and situation comedy actors of the era. The series was popular enough to warrant two series, repeats, and a novel adaptation published in 1977 by Arrow Books and Look-in Books. The novel included four unfilmed storylines, and one additional episode was written but abandoned. The series was released on DVD in 2009 by Simply Home Entertainment, with rights held by Renown Pictures Ltd. Its legacy includes continued reruns on UK television as late as 2025.
Did You Know?
- The locomotive used in the series, GWR 0-6-0PT no. 6412, was not allocated to the Wye Valley Railway and did not work the last passenger train to Monmouth in 1959.
- The series title was changed from 'The Flockton Flyer' to 'Flockton Flyer' for series 2.
- Scriptwriter Peter Whitbread wrote 17 episodes, but only 12 were filmed; the novel adaptation published in 1978 is based on the 12 filmed episodes, not on unfilmed storylines.
- The series was filmed on the newly reopened West Somerset Railway in 1976 and 1977.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Flockton Flyer about?
The series centres on the Carter family, who take on the task of reopening and operating a disused branch railway line. It was inspired by the heritage railway movement that was gaining momentum across Britain during the 1970s.
Who produced The Flockton Flyer and on which network did it air?
Southern Television was responsible for producing the show, and it was broadcast on the ITV network.
When did The Flockton Flyer first broadcast?
The series premiered in the spring of 1977.
How many series and episodes of The Flockton Flyer exist?
Two series were produced, with a total of 12 episodes filmed across the run.
Which actors got early television roles in The Flockton Flyer?
The show provided early screen credits for performers including Peter Duncan and Gwyneth Strong, both of whom went on to have longer careers in British television.
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