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Producer | director

Drama doc | History

Quintinshill

BRITAIN'S DEADLIEST RAIL DISASTER

 

Two RTS Scotland 2016 nominations:

Best History Programme and Winner Best Post Prod: Editing (for Joe Spiers)

 

Neil Oliver unlocks the mystery surrounding the worst rail disaster in Britain:

 

On the 22nd May 1915 at Quintinshill, just north of the Anglo-Scottish border, two high-speed train collisions caused a devastating fire that killed almost 230 people. Neil looks at what happened on the day and then at the inquests, inquiries and trials that followed.

 

The two signalmen on duty were imprisoned for causing the catastrophe and the subsequent deaths but their harsh sentences proved controversial and a campaign was started to free the men. Now some believe there may have been a cover up to prevent the government and railway company also being found responsible.

 

Using dramatic reconstructions and contemporary reports, Neil Oliver shines a fresh light on the case against the two imprisoned men.  Advocates, signalmen and experts also help him find out why the disaster at Quintinshill was so deadly and carefully lay out the evidence that was never put in their defence.

Quintinshill:

Britain’s Deadliest Rail Disaster

 

1 x 60′ Drama doc with Finestripe Productions for

BBC2 Scotland, BBC2, BBC4 and BBC Worldwide

First TX BBC TWO Scotland 20th May 9pm 2015

First Network TX BBC FOUR 21st May 9pm 2015

 

Camera ALAN McLAUGHLIN

Costume GRAHAM HUNTER

Make up GILLIAN JOHNSTON, KAT MORGAN

Special Effects ARTEM

Graphics PLAYDEAD

Design GEORGE MILLER

Research BECKY MARSHALL, KELLY MACHIN

 Assistant Producers
ROSHAN SAMARASINGHE, ALEX LEITHEAD

Line Producer PHILIPPA FARNESE

Editor JOE SPEIRS

Executive Producers

EWAN ANGUS, KATIE LANDER

Written, produced and directed by

IAN LILLEY

“A story edited with real flair and with excellent pacing. The transitions between the very well done dramatic reconstructions and the documentary were seamless.” 


RTS jury

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