‘Trainspotting Live’ Was Monday Night's Surprise TV Hit

We're not kidding. It was TV gold.

BBC Four have found themselves with a TV hit on their hands, thanks to Monday (11 July) night’s ‘Trainspotting Live’, which delighted viewers.

It’s fair to say that British politics has been somewhat draining in recent weeks, so what could be better than sitting down to watch an hour-long, live show on our locomotive network instead?

In short: nothing.

Let’s start with this clip of two train enthusiasts in Doncaster reacting to the surprise arrival of the 66779 Evening Star:

This clip of two men in Doncaster losing it over a train was broadcast live on BBC last night. Amazing. Pure joy. pic.twitter.com/jpH9xjuB6D

— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) July 12, 2016

See what we mean? It’s impossible to be sad after watching that.

Thanks to the fact one of the presenters was called Dick, there were also innuendos that would make the ‘Bake Off’ team blush:

#trainspottingLIVE has taken an unexpected turn! pic.twitter.com/ov7bV2W6b8

— Matthew Payn (@TrainPayn) July 11, 2016

Naturally, the programme was a huge hit on Twitter, as the internet took great pleasure in watching the hosts enthuse over a form of transport we all take for granted:

Whoever commissioned #trainspottingLIVE is a genius. Thank you @BBCFOUR

— Claudia Marmalade (@Claud_Marmalade) July 11, 2016

It's reassuring to know that there are still so many harmlessly bonkers people left in this country #trainspottingLIVE

— Gillian (@Gilepa) July 11, 2016

This excellent man is discussing his favourite train stations #trainspottingLIVE pic.twitter.com/3OAv4V3rrH

— Ned Donovan (@Ned_Donovan) July 11, 2016

After an intense day of politics, Trainspotting Live on @BBCFOUR is just what the doctor ordered

— Sebastian Payne (@SebastianEPayne) July 11, 2016

Tuned in to Trainspotting Live and 30 mins in and nobody has injected any heroine yet. #trainspottingLIVE

— Gary Raymond (@MrGaryRaymond) July 11, 2016

In a Moleskine notebook somewhere in Shoreditch, someone with a beard scrawls, “POKEMON GO, BUT FOR TRAINS.” #trainspottinglive

— Jonathan Rothwell (@jrothwell) July 11, 2016

Many also got involved by sending in their own trainspotting videos:

66741 at a rainy York #trainspottingLIVE pic.twitter.com/wJl5l7AJ7p

— Craig Sharp (@CraigAtAbussi) July 11, 2016

37402 light engine heading to Carlisle Kingmoor Depot at Carlisle station #trainspottingLIVE pic.twitter.com/4b78oshtsH

— Andy Stovold (@Stovoldemort) July 11, 2016

Network Rail Measurement Train at Prestwick Town Station in the Scotrail network! #trainspottingLIVE @BBCFOUR pic.twitter.com/hdBThDsTYl

— Lewis Yeardley (@Lewis_Yeardley) July 11, 2016

To paraphrase Gregg Wallace, Britain doesn’t get better than this.

‘Trainspotting Live’ returns tonight (Tuesday 12 July), on BBC Four at 8pm. Catch up on episode one here.

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