BULLSEYE

GB
1990
1hr 35mins
Dir: Michael Winner
Starring: Michael Caine and Roger Moore

Two conmen are asked to impersonate nuclear scientists

This appalling comedy has now typically achieved cult status and it features some scenes that supposedly show the ‘Orient Express’ making a tour of Britain’s castles. This is depicted by the use of a number of stock shots of the VSOE hauled by Class 73’s on the Southern Region. Both unnamed and named examples of the class feature in these scenes, all of which are InterCity Mainline-liveried examples of the class. One of the named examples is passing Arundel Castle, West Sussex, and it maybe 73102 Airtour Suisse if the white plaque beneath the nameplate is anything to go by. This loco had been renumbered 73212 by the time the film was made and all the footage likely shows old publicity shots, reused for this movie. There are in addition to this plenty of scenes filmed onboard the Pullman coaches and external shots of the train filmed at London Victoria and on the Mid-Hants Railway. More important is the earlier scene filmed inside the old Transport Gallery of London’s Science Museum prior to its redevelopment with some fantastic views of the exhibits on show. The prototype DELTIC features very prominently in this scene and somewhat overshadows the actors. Other exhibits visible include No.1 Rocket, Puffing Billy, GWR ‘Castle’ Class 4-6-0 No.4073 Caerphilly Castle, London Transport 1927 Standard Stock driving motor vehicle No.3327 and Glasgow Corporation Tram No.585. The Mid-Hants stations of Alresford, Ropley, Medstead & Four Marks and Alton all appear in the film, with the latter masquerading as ‘Inveraray’ in one night scene. However, look out for the establishing shot of the frontage to Edenbridge Town station on the Hurst Green-Uckfield line, masquerading as ‘Ropley’!! According to Coupe News No.81, filiming took place on the Mid-Hants on 6th November 1989 when the VSO-E British Pullman ran from London Victoria to the railway hauled by Class 47 No.47833. Class 25 D5217 was added to the rear of the train whilst on the Mid Hants Railway.

Inside London Transport 1927-built ‘Standard Stock’ vehicle No.3327, a former Northern Line example judging by the route map.
An external view of No.3327 inside the old Transport Gallery of the Science Museum which lead to the old Exploration of Space Gallery on the right
Glasgow Corporation tram No.585 with London Transport 1927 Standard Stock Driving Car No.3327 behind
Arguably one of the best shots of a modern locomotive to appear in any film is this shot of the original English Electric-built prototype DELTIC. Captured here in all her finery, the loco somewhat overshadows the actors. A marvellous piece of camerawork.
The old Transport Gallery at the Science Museum, South Kensington. GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 No.4073 Caerphilly Castle on the right, with Puffing Billy, Rocket (and one other?) on the left.
London Victoria station concourse between Platform’s 7 and 8
The VSOE leaves London Victoria Platform 8. Pullman Car IONE is nearest the camera.
The first of three ‘stock shots’ of the Class 73-hauled VSOE passing through the countryside
The second shot shows a ‘named’ Class 73 passing a river.
Looking at the white plaque beneath the nameplate this is thought to be 73102 Airtour Suisse. Arundel Castle, West Sussex forms the backdrop.
All the station scenes in the film used the Mid-Hants Railway except this one, which is arguably the best shot of them all. This is Edenbridge Town station confusingly playing the part of Ropley, a Mid-Hants station used in the film for other scenes!