GB 1970 1hr 41mins Dir: Pete Walker Starring: Robin Askwith and Janet Lynn
A naive young couple go to London for excitement
This typical low-budget sex comedy of the time is seriously low on morals, but features an excellent scene at Etchingham station in East Sussex with three Southern Region 6B Class 203 ‘Hastings’ DEMUs identifiable in the form of Nos.1006, 1033 and 1034. There are several shots of Etchingham signal box and some shots inside a ‘Hastings’ unit, but the trip to London is depicted with some further run-bys of ‘Hastings’ units and one of a BR blue-liveried 4 COR EMU No.3139, with an arrival scene shot outside Paddington station. Some poor continuity perhaps, but some quite rare railway scenes none the less. Once in London there is a shot of the frontage of Sloane Square Underground station and the film ends with another very good run by of ‘Hastings’ unit 1013. The DEMUs are working headcodes 22 and 33, Charing Cross/Cannon Street-Hastings via Orpington and Battle.
‘Hastings’ DEMU No.1034 arrives at Etchingham station
1034 and Pearl Hackney both leave Etchingham station
A fabulously arty shot of another ‘Hastings’ unit leaving Etchingham, as framed by the lattice work of the footbridge. It would be nice to see a few more unusual shots like this in films.
One of several run-bys of ‘Hastings’ sets in the film. This is unit 1006.
And a run-by of a vintage 4 COR EMU was thrown in for good measure. This is unit 3139 working Headcode 81: Waterloo-Portsmouth Harbour (slow) via Worplesdon
The final run-by in the film shows unit 1033 passing the ’71 post’. This is not a milepost, but instead a post denoting bridge No.71, in this case an underbridge, the railings for which are visible to the right of the train.
A few other random shots appear in the movie. This is Paddington, with Robin Askwith and Janet Lynn making their way up to Praed Street with Eastbourne Terrace behind.
And finally, no film in London could be without a shot of the Underground. This is the entrance to Sloane Square on the Circle and District Lines.
