A STALYBRIDGE resident is set to make his on-screen debut, starring in The Railway 24/7, a documentary series going behind the scenes at TransPennine Express (TPE).
Carl Fraine, 47, a conductor at TransPennine Express, features in the sixth episode of the series that airs on Wednesday, July 22 at 8pm on Channel 5.
The episode will follow the rail operator as passengers desert the trains during the coronavirus pandemic, recording an extraordinary moment in the life of the railways.
The documentary follows Billy Vickers at Manchester Airport Station, who is seeing customers cutting their holidays short and heading home, conductor Nikki May, who is amazed at how quiet services are becoming in Yorkshire and colleague Scott Brannan, based on the frontline, who is swabbing down trains to keep the virus at bay.
The episode will also show bosses call an emergency meeting at company HQ in Manchester, as even though passenger numbers are plummeting, they must keep services running for the sake of key workers.
With passenger numbers dropping by 95 per cent during the pandemic and the UK being plunged into lockdown, the government is forced to step in, leaving customer experience director Kathryn O’Brien hoping there will soon be light at the end of the tunnel.
Carl said: “I can’t wait to see the final episode of the series air, starring in the documentary was a once in a lifetime experience.
“I thoroughly enjoy my role as a conductor and I’m looking forward to showing viewers what the job entails on a daily basis. I hope viewers enjoy the show as much as I enjoyed playing a part in it.”
Liz Collins, Interim Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “The arrival of the coronavirus in the UK has had a huge impact on the country’s railways.
“At TransPennine Express we have taken unprecedented steps to ensure that our staff and passengers across our network are kept as safe as possible during the past few months.
“I’m extremely proud of how all our colleagues have reacted and adapted, especially those on the frontline who have kept our services running for our amazing key workers.”
The final episode of The Railway 24/7, made by Blast! Films, will be aired on Wednesday July 22 at 8pm on Channel 5.