GB / NED / US 1998 1hr 20mins Dir: Alex Cox Starring: Miguel Sandoval and Alex Cox
Two art dealers set out in Liverpool in search of a meal, and end up in a whirlwind trip around the Earth in search of food
This surreal and subversive comic fantasy is a very odd spectacle, a truly bizarre film that makes little sense. It opens with a scene filmed at Liverpool Lime Street station and although the entrance features in several shots, a lot of trains are visible in those filmed inside. A whole plethora of Class 142 ‘Pacer’ DMU’s can be seen in the platforms, along with a Class 156 DMU, a Class 86 electric locomotive, and Mk 3 coaching stock. Perhaps a little surprising is the fact that Miguel Sandoval alights from Class 323 EMU, No.323209. It is often forgotten that the Hunslet-built ‘Centro’ units so associated with the Birmingham ‘Cross-City’ line regularly ran on services between Birmingham and Liverpool. Later, there is a very curious scene filmed on the Merseyrail system. Class 507 EMU No.507027 arrives into the Wirral Line platform of James Street station and the two businessmen join. There then follows a short scene filmed onboard the train and as the lights flicker, it turns into the Rotterdam Metro!! Interestingly, the shots at Lime Street station show the attractive liveries of three different Passenger Transport Executive’s (PTE’s): Merseyrail, Greater Manchester, and West Midlands ‘Centro’.
A rainy day outside Liverpool Central Library and Lime Street station is visible in the left hand background
A view of the concourse at Liverpool Lime Street station with the entrance to platforms 1-6 in the centre
The platforms at Lime Street are packed full with trains. From left to right we have a Class 142 ‘Pacer’ DMU in Merseyrail PTE livery, two more 142’s in Greater Manchester PTE livery, and a Class 156 ‘Sprinter DMU (probably in Regional Railways livery).
From left to right: the two GMPTE 142’s in platforms 3 and 4, the 156 in platform 5, a Class 86 electric loco in the centre siding, and a Class 323 EMU in Centro green on the far right in platform 6. Track remodelling has since seen the platform numbers changed hereabouts, whilst the Pacers and the 86 have also gone.
As Miguel Sandoval alights from a Class 323 EMU, a Class 142 ‘Pacer’ DMU is visible through the window
The Class 323 EMU was revealed to be No.323209. This view shows the tasteful West Midlands PTE ‘Centro’ livery to great effect.
Struggling with his bags, Miguel Sandoval heads slowly towards the exits. InterCity Mark 3 coaching stock is visible on the right. The aformentioned remodelling of the station has since seen this area closed to the public.
The concourse at Lime Street again, but from a different angle
Outside Lime Street station and Miguel Sandoval searches for a taxi. This is at the junction of Bolton Street with Skelhorne Street.
The roof of Lime Street station is visible in the background of this view looking up Copperas Hill
Miguel Sandoval and Alex Cox walk down the passageway linking James Street station with Water Street. It is clear from this view why locals call it the ‘Rat Hole’.
Our two actors are captured on the Wirral Line platform of James Street station, part of the underground section of Liverpool’s Merseyrail system
As if by magic a train appears in the form of Class 507 EMU No.507027. The unit is wearing the attractive Merseyrail PTE livery.
The ‘Two Businessmen’ (who are joined later in the film by the third) sitting inside a Class 507. If the above shot showed off the attractive livery, then this shot shows off the unattractive interior!!
