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Post by chris on Feb 25, 2007 20:00:45 GMT
Think it's the one where they crash a 31 into a car. Might be an interesting watch. About level crossing saftey. Kind of...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2007 21:18:41 GMT
Damn, missed it! Hope it comes out on DVD sometime in the not too distant future!
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Oracle
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Post by Oracle on Feb 25, 2007 21:23:57 GMT
It is repeated later in the week I think and old editions are shown on satellite.
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jazza
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Post by jazza on Feb 25, 2007 21:28:59 GMT
Repeated 7pm Thursday on BBC 2 if you are talking about the episode which was shown at 8pm Sunday on BBC2
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2007 21:31:14 GMT
Yippee! I'll get to see it!
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Feb 25, 2007 21:31:46 GMT
There are about 5 repeats of Top Gear on various channels through the week.
I saw it and was distinctly underimpressed by the presentation of the item - it was about 2 minutes at the start of the program and very jokily presented.
The outcome was clear, the Renault Espace (sp?) was a write off after being crushed into about half its width at most and it shunted a good distance down the track. However you didn't get a decent shot of the aftermath, no (precise) figures were given for how far it was moved, the speed or weight of the loco (Class 31), and how this might compare to a DMU or HST.
Half a job imho.
Chris
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jazza
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Post by jazza on Feb 25, 2007 21:34:09 GMT
Me too did not see it tonight, might be quite interesting, though there is no mention of the experiment above in any of the listings I read for tonights show.
EDIT - obviously is correct episode going by comments directly above - LOL
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2007 21:36:00 GMT
*changes mind about rushing home to see this episode*
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Post by compsci on Feb 25, 2007 21:38:03 GMT
I'm actually left wondering if there is also a serious version of the film. NR can hardly use the version just transmitted to educate the public. If not then someone at the BBC will get a very annoyed phone call tomorrow.
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Feb 25, 2007 23:08:48 GMT
I'm actually left wondering if there is also a serious version of the film. NR can hardly use the version just transmitted to educate the public. If not then someone at the BBC will get a very annoyed phone call tomorrow. Too true. CLarkson may think it's funny to make the point of the story "always wear a HiVi", but he trivialised what should have been the most important public information clip of the whole series.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2007 11:00:54 GMT
Care of youTube... just a little bit scary. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who watched that segment and thought "what the f***?". Top Gear has a huge viewer base, and there was an opportunity to make a really serious statement about the dangers of jumping crossings and generally being a complete moron about stuff... ... so Clarkson starts off with a fairly standard Clarkson-esque statement about how elderly drivers are a menace and thrill-seeking and whatever (cue CCTV clip from incident on heart-of-wales line last year), jumps around like a monkey while 106-111 tonnes (depending on flavour) of cl.31 hits said espace at ~70, and finishes "wear a HiVi"... Having said that, the side of the '31 was painted with some fairly clear-cut warnings about level crossings and there were enough cameras on the incident ... so I'm guessing that NR recorded it and are going to turn it into a serious warning video at some point ... doesn't mean I'm any less annoyed by Top Gear's general "let's laugh about stuff" attitude to the whole thing. -jdp (and uh, do me a favour and imagine me spitting every time I mention the name 'clarkson')
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2007 13:17:56 GMT
While I agree with the presentation of the clip on Top Gear being very trivialised, I feel that the point has been missed.
The fact that this sort of thing has been shown on top gear at all, may (and I mean may) just make someone think a before jumping the red lights at a level crossing.
NR have stated that the typical TG viewer is most likely to jump the lights at a level crossing.
It wouldn't be TG to show a public safety film on any subject, given the love of speed and dislike of health & safety. So retrospectively the fact that NR got a few mins airing time on a primetime show is a credit to their forward thinking.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2007 13:22:20 GMT
Care of youTube... just a little bit scary. And I'm glad I'm not the only one who watched that segment and thought "what the f***?". Top Gear has a huge viewer base, and there was an opportunity to make a really serious statement about the dangers of jumping crossings and generally being a complete moron about stuff... ... so Clarkson starts off with a fairly standard Clarkson-esque statement about how elderly drivers are a menace and thrill-seeking and whatever (cue CCTV clip from incident on heart-of-wales line last year), jumps around like a monkey while 106-111 tonnes (depending on flavour) of cl.31 hits said espace at ~70, and finishes "wear a HiVi"... Having said that, the side of the '31 was painted with some fairly clear-cut warnings about level crossings and there were enough cameras on the incident ... so I'm guessing that NR recorded it and are going to turn it into a serious warning video at some point ... doesn't mean I'm any less annoyed by Top Gear's general "let's laugh about stuff" attitude to the whole thing. -jdp (and uh, do me a favour and imagine me spitting every time I mention the name 'clarkson') Sadly, this is all that can be expected from the 'dumbed-down' BBC and Top Gear. If Clarkson wasn't a TV presenter, he'd be some sort of sales rep, running down children in his company Vectra
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Post by gavelex on Feb 26, 2007 13:28:59 GMT
I think it would have been better if May or Hammond had done the clip, I think the program can be a laph but they need to know when to stop.
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Post by agoodcuppa on Feb 26, 2007 13:47:33 GMT
If it was presented in a serious manner many in the TG audience would probably have switched off after about three words.
There are some people who "get" the message better through different styles of presentation. "Stuffed shirt" seriousness is at one end, TG's humour is probably at the other extreme, or close to it. Most people will be somewhere in between.
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Post by Colin on Feb 26, 2007 15:52:43 GMT
I have to say, having seen the program this morning (I have the luxury of "replay" on cable ), that I completely agree with the sentiments of 'central-simon' and 'A Good Cuppa' - it was very much a classic Top Gear way of showing it. Top Gear is not meant to be a serious program; it's all about having a laugh in the way that the ordinary man on the street would like to, but can't afford to - that's what makes it's format so successful. I had seen some of the initial comments on this thread prior to watching it................and was left with the feeling that some of you have over reacted slightly [and are not regular Top Gear viewers]. I thought the point was actually put across quite well given the program's usual format.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2007 18:58:30 GMT
I never miss Top Gear. I know it can be a bit silly at times, but it is entertainment, not a current affairs show. Although Clarkson was being his usual self with the level crossing segment, nobody watching it (including some lovely slo-mos!) could fail to get the message.
So I think the intended message should sink in to at least some watching.
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Post by agoodcuppa on Feb 26, 2007 20:06:59 GMT
I don't watch it nor any other TV. To borrow the old saying, "A picture is worth ten thousand words" and if the pictures showed the effects on a car of being hit by a train then any one who doesn't "get it" is in need of a brain transplant. Those comments I've seen seem only to be about Clarkson's comments and haven't offered any thoughts on the images. Hopefully the Beeb will put the clip on the TG web site.
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Post by agoodcuppa on Feb 26, 2007 20:15:22 GMT
Some kind person has put it on You Tube.
Yes, Clarkson's comments were flippant. But the underlying message was very clear.
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Post by Chris W on Feb 26, 2007 20:40:37 GMT
Yes, Clarkson's comments were flippant. But the underlying message was very clear. Yep I watched last nights TG. In fact I NEVER miss it as its one of the only genuinely funny programs on the goggle box - it's just a shame JC's head/ego is nearly a big as the hanger the show is presented in (if only it were a bit bigger he wouldn't be able to get it inside the hanger doors to present TG)..... MMMEEEAAAOOOWWW ;D ;D ;D I was shocked that the VT & brief summary after was less than 5-6 mins in length - it was almost as if it was over before the program started . At least the Hamster tried to reign in JC regarding jumping barriers (& his big head/ego). Still lets be thankful for small mercies... at least the point was made at the appropriate level of some so-called petrol-heads
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Post by agoodcuppa on Feb 26, 2007 21:01:26 GMT
[at least the point was made at the appropriate level of some so-called petrol-heads Quite. Speaking to people on their own level is the only way they will understand, whatever level that may be. Since TG is aimed at (shall we say ;D ) the younger, more enthusiastic driver, it's entirely sensible to present the message in terms they will understand.
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Oracle
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Post by Oracle on Feb 26, 2007 21:36:56 GMT
I think you guys should go along and see it for real as I did! You want to hear fowl (yes fowl not foul..much too disgusting) language? Even though there were kids present ("No Under 18s allowed")? Well, you don;t see it on TV but Clarkson and Hamster can "expletive deleted" with the roughest Navy tars!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2007 21:49:12 GMT
I was just looking at the chunks of car and ballast flying everywhere. if there had been a station at that point, anyone on the far platform would have got seriously injured.
Railtrack released a safety video many years ago, shows a converted EMU trainer, pushed by a loco, ploughing into a souped up car at 40mph... That car was then exhibited at Waterloo station.
ANOMALY SPOTTED! In the youtube video of Top Gear, notice at 02.39, there is a cab shot of a SINGLE TRACK LINE... do notice that the Espace is placed across a DOUBLE TRACK LINE...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2007 1:32:51 GMT
Seems Top Gear went for the "wow" factor. While this may not sound appropriate, the extent the Espace was damaged and Clarkson's twisted humour might actually make this clip more memorable in peoples heads.
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Post by sm on Feb 27, 2007 5:39:29 GMT
yes, TG made a joke of it, as usual, but to say they were being irresponsible is a bit much. The fact that he is referring to HiVi jackets instead of what people expect him to say, ads to the point, if you ask me. As has been said, if you think that was suggesting that you DO park your car on a level crossing (with or without hivi jackets ) then you need to have your head checked!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2007 6:05:29 GMT
Who remembers the time he took an S class Merc and refitted the inside like an English cottage with a chimeny?
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Feb 27, 2007 8:07:07 GMT
yes, TG made a joke of it, as usual, but to say they were being irresponsible is a bit much. The fact that he is referring to HiVi jackets instead of what people expect him to say, ads to the point, if you ask me. As has been said, if you think that was suggesting that you DO park your car on a level crossing (with or without hivi jackets ) then you need to have your head checked! I accept I'm being a grumpy old man and that youngsters may get the message better, BUT...... 1. The loco didn't derail - they didn't even show the front of it afterwards. 2. The car was stationary, not being driven (remotely of course), and empty. Think of the greater impact with a crash dummy inside.... In other words not real harm was done to anyone. Not a proper risk. Trying to distill my wariness I think that to me it came over as a stunt, with little relevance to a boy racer in terms of a real race across the crossing. I think they missed the REAL danger of the "I can make it" mindset.
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Post by agoodcuppa on Feb 27, 2007 8:21:50 GMT
[I accept I'm being a grumpy old man Ah, good. Something we can agree on. ;D ;D True, but did they need to? The multiple showings of the effect of the loco hitting the Espace and it's resemblance to a crusher with added ballast throwing accompaniment will have had a suitable effect on those watching.
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Post by sm on Feb 27, 2007 8:47:47 GMT
on the contrary i think it did a very good job of it...
to quote clarkson:
"you may think its ok to skip the barriers because it may save you a few minutes, you may think it's ok because your Grandad did it or that you have a Renault Espace with it's 5 star safety rating... but it's not ok, as i will now prove by gratuitously showing a train crashing into it at high speed'
Proves the point, and entertaining. Quality if you ask me.
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Post by gavelex on Feb 27, 2007 13:10:20 GMT
I think it was taking the p*ss saying \"wear a hi-vi\" >;(
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