Where Are The Railway Children Now?
Now nearly fifty years after the film was released, where are The Railway Children now?
Since it was first published in 1905, Edith Nesbit’s The Railway Children has spawned three television series, two films and many plays. But the British classic will always be remembered for that scene at Oakworth station, the one where Roberta’s father emerges through the steam of a departing train.
I mean, I’m sure everybody can recall sobbing when the young Jenny Agutter is reunited with her father.
I’ve got a lump in my throat even just thinking about it:
“Daddy, my Daddy!”
Oh, here I go again…
So, what are the 1970 cast up to now? Put it this way, the ever-so-innocent child centred cast are not so childlike anymore!
Jenny Agutter
Known for playing Roberta ‘Bobbie’ Waterbury, the oldest of the three “Railway Children”, Jenny made her first big break in the 1970 film.
The next year, Hollywood called and she spent several years there, appearing in such works as BBC Play of the Month: The Cherry Orchard (1971), Walkabout (1971) and The Snow Goose (1971) with Richard Harris, for which she received an Emmy Award. It really was her big break!
By this point, the super sweet child-star was well and truly gone, thanks largely to Jennie’s nude scenes in the likes of Walkabout. What would her “Daddy”, oh her “Daddy”, say?
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In 1981, she played “Desdemona” opposite William Marshall in The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice (1981).
In the 1990s, she concentrated mainly on television, with roles in TECX (1990); Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less (1990); Red Dwarf (1988). If you haven’t been on Red Dwarf, have you even made it? Nah.
2. Sally Thomsett
20-year-old actress Sally Thomsett famously blagged her way into the role of 11-year-old Phyllis and was then forbidden to reveal her age during production. Could she still blag her way now? Most probably not, no…
2. Sally Thomsett
Even the film crew were unaware of her age, and they gave her sweets while treating Jenny as nearly an adult. Free sweets? No wonder she faked her age!
Now
After shooting to fame, she played Jo in the TV sitcom, Man About the House (1973–76) and appeared in the film, Straw Dogs (1971).
She has since stepped down from acting. Be a child-star and you can retire early, kids!
3. Gary Warren
After playing (cute) little Peter Waterbury, Gary also played Cedric Collingford (“Owl Face”) in the TV series Catweazle (1971) and Taplow (the troublemaking pupil) in Whacko.
He then appeared in the sitcom Alexander the Greatest (1971) and played Mame’s nephew in the West End musical Mame starring Ginger Rogers.
Now
Not so little anymore, huh? In 1970, he released a single musical recording with two songs: “Lucky Guy” and “Jennifer Please”. Nope, definitely not little anymore.
4. Iain Cuthbertson
He may have been missing for most of the film, but I guess there wouldn’t have been a film at all without him…
Mr Waterbury
His most memorable television role was as the eponymous Procurator Fiscal in the long running Sutherland’s Law.
Other roles include the lead in The Borderers (BBC, 1968–70), Tom Brown’s Schooldays (BBC, 1971) (as Thomas Arnold), The Stone Tape (BBC, 1972).
Playing Procurator Fiscal
Not forgetting Children of the Stones (HTV/ITV, 1977), The Voyage of Charles Darwin, Danger UXB…
He suffered a crippling stroke in January 1982, which forced him to give up theatre for fear of forgetting his lines. Sadly, he died in 2009, aged 79.
5. Dinah Sheridan
The Railway Children didn’t make her, she made The Railway Children. The actress – a quintessential English rose – was an established actress way before her performance as Mrs Waterbury.
5. Dinah Sheridan
Dinah’s first stage role was at age 12 and she subsequently went on tour as Wendy in “Peter Pan”.
A well-respected actress
She broke into films at age 16 and appeared in such films as Irish and Proud of It (1938) until her momentum was interrupted by WWII.
How about life after The Railway Children? The English-rose sadly only made one more movie.
With her second husband, John Davis
It was the 1980’s Miss Marple mystery The Mirror Crack’d, though! (Ahem, opposite Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson.)
Her last screen appearance was in an episode of ‘Jonathan Creek’ in 1999. She died in 2012.
6. Bernard Cribbins
The Railway Children just wouldn’t have been the same without porter Albert Perks, would it?
6. Bernard Cribbins
Everyone’s favourite comedian narrated The Wombles, a BBC children’s television programme that ran for 60 episodes between 1973 and 1975.
Back in the day…
He also played the pretentious guest Mr. Hutchinson in “The Hotel Inspectors” episode of Fawlty Towers (1975).
He doesn’t stop there! The belligerent barman in Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy (1972) was another character that was plentiful of laughs.
Never stops cracking the jokes
Even in his eighties we couldn’t get rid of him (only joking)… the British star has featured in Danny Dyer’s comedy Run For Your Wife and Simon Pegg’s A Fantastic Fear Of Everything.
In 2014 he was awarded the J.M. Barrie award for his “lasting contribution to children’s arts”. Well deserved!
7. William Mervyn
Cast as an upper class English gentleman in The Railway Children, as the children’s train passenger friend, William clearly mastered the role…
7. William Mervyn
Two years later, in 1972, he played an upper class English gentleman in The Ruling Class.
English gentleman
Around the same time, he appeared as Sir Hector Drummond, Bt., in the British TV series The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, in an episode entitled “The Superfluous Finger” (1973).
What do you think the audition process is to be cast as “an upper class English gentleman”?
The Odd Man
Number one: You MUST be able to say “how do you do?” five times in one sentence without it sounding OTT.
Number two: You have to be lovely and charming, just like our William here. (Ah, that’s us – and everyone we know –out then).
8. Peter Bromilow
Though only cast with a small part in The Railway Children, his career spanned preeeeetty pretty wide…
8. Peter Bromilow
He played the doctor in The Railway Children. How about after the release of the British classic?
Wild At Heart
Twenty years later, the northern actor featured in Wild at Heart (1990), directed by David Lynch.
He can also be found in the Rocketeer (1991) and Highlander II: The Quickening (1991).
Rocketeer
He died on October 16, 1994 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. But he achieved a lot, even outside of the acting world.
Peter was active within the gay motorcycle club scene in Southern California. His collection of event brochures, programs, run buttons, photographs and memorabilia, circa 1967 to 1994, can be found at ONE, the National Gay and Lesbian Archives at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
9. Ann Lancaster
Ann played Ruth, who worked for the family, but had to leave once the father was taken away.
9. Ann Lancaster
Ann specialised in comic roles and had a talent for voices which she often used on radio to portray children and to do voiceovers for television commercials.
The Million Pound Note
Her most high-profile film roles were in The Million Pound Note (1953), A Night to Remember (1958, uncredited as a woman on a train).
As well as The Dirty Dozen (1967), Fathom (1967), and in one Carry On Film Carry On Again Doctor (1969). The Railway Children was her number one though, obvs.
The Dirty Dozen
She was also the voice behind the Ajax “It cleans like a white tornado” advertisements on television (ask your grannny).
She appeared in many well-known television comedies including Hancock’s Half Hour, Till Death Us Do Part, Tea at the Ritz, Hughie and The World of Beachcomber with Spike.
10. Gordon Whiting
Gordon played the Russian man in The Railway Children. But was he famous before the film was released?
10. Gordon Whiting
Yup! He was known pretty damn well actually. In 1950, he was on BBC Sunday-Night Theatre.
The Adventures of Robin Hood
From there, The Adventures of Robin Hood in 1955 and then The Avengers in 1961.
I guess his previous roles were slightly different than his part as Szczepansky (how the hell do you pronounce that?!)
The Avengers
Gordon, who was born in London in 1918, sadly passed away in February 2002 in Surrey.
In remembrance of the good old Szczepansky, I’d say that The Railway Children definitely deserves a re-watch now. C-ya!
11. Beatrix Mackey
Aunt Emma was temporarily drafted in to help bring up her sister’s three children, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis. God, those children took a lot of looking after!
11. Beatrix Mackey
Beatrix was born on December 10, 1910 in Birmingham. Was The Railway Children her first acting role?
Stranger on the Shore
Nope! She appeared in Stranger on the Shore (1961) and Stranger in the City (1962).
Like Gordon, she usually played similar parts… (but surprisingly enough they didn’t all have the word “stranger” in the name).
Sink or Swim
In 1980, she played a lady at a house in Sink or Swim. Likewise, in 1978, she played Lady Bishopess in Mulliner’s Buck-u-uppo.
She died on October 5, 2010 in Denville Hall, Northwood, London. Rest in peace, sweet lady.
12. Deddie Davies
Debbie played Mrs. Perks, the wife of the friendly station porter. She was as equally as friendly – you know, the kind of person who would slip you a sweet and a cheeky £1 coin.
12. Deddie Davies
She trained at RADA and is most familiar to television viewers for comedy roles in a host of series.
The Rag Trade
These included The Rag Trade, That’s My Boy, Chance in a Million, and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em.
But she also appeared in non-comedic roles in series such as The Bill, Upstairs, Downstairs, The Forsyte Saga – and even Grange Hill (jeez I miss it)!
Grange Hill
In May 2007, she had musical success as a member of superannuated pop group The Zimmers. She only gets better…
Their cover version of “My Generation” highlighted the plight of the elderly, and reached number 26 in the UK Singles Chart. YASSS QUEEN!
12. David Lodge
David Lodge played the bandmaster, who kept Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter occupied at the railway tracks.
12. David Lodge
How about life after time on the railway tracks? In 1975, he starred in The Return of the Pink Panther and Carry on Laughing!
The Return of the Pink Panther
And life before? During the Second World War, he served in the RAF and even worked as a circus clown.
He also appeared in Gang Shows and variety before making his screen debut in The Cockleshell Heroes.
The Cockleshell Heroes
He was very prolific during the 1950s! In 1958 alone he appeared in a whopping ten films. What about getting eight hours sleep, though?
Before, of course, going on to feature in many British films usually portraying military types, and often comedic roles.
13. Christopher Witty
Christopher Witty – born on May 26, 1950 in Nottingham – played Jim in The Railway Children.
13. Christopher Witty
Christopher shot to fame in 1962 playing Ginger in the family comedy television series, William.
Just William
William was a BBC television series based on the Just William series of books written by Richmal Crompton.
It ran for two series from 1962 to 1963, and was filmed in black and white.
Now
The child actor also starred in Baby Love (directed by Alastair Reid) as Jonathan, in 1969.
Where is he now? According to his Twitter, he chose to become a motor sport journalist in 1968 and has remained involved in most aspects of the business ever since. Swift career-move, ey? (Or, should we say car-move? Ha!)
14. Brenda Cowling
Brenda Cowling played Mrs. Viney, who looks after the family when they move to Yorkshire.
14. Brenda Cowling
A native of London, Brenda wanted to be a film actress from the time she was a child.
A British legend
Yet, upon leaving school, she trained instead as a shorthand typist. She made it eventually, though…
She joined the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where she was a member of the same class as Warren Mitchell and Jimmy Perry. Ooo-er, check you out!
Stage Fright
While there, she made her film debut in a small role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Stage Fright (1950). From there: Please Sir! (1971), Carry On Girls (1973), Carry On Behind (1975). International Velvet (1978), Oliver Twist (1982) and Octopussy (1983).
Brenda retired in 2006 after suffering a stroke. She died on 2 October 2010, at the actors’ retirement home, Denville Hall, aged 85.
15. Paddy Ward
Paddy Ward played “Cart Man” in The Railway Children. You probably all remember his conversation with Mrs. Waterbury…
15. Paddy Ward
Mrs. Waterbury asks “Cart Man” if she can borrow his lamp, he replies “I dare say”…
Waking Ned Devine
She responds: “If you say ‘I dare say’ once more I shall have hysterics, I dare say.” We’re the ones in hysterics!
After The Railway Children, he starred as Brendy O’Toole in Waking Ned Devine, in 1998.
Casanova
This was followed by working on Casanova in 2005, alongside Heath Ledger and Sienna Miller. Very snazzy!
Paddy sadly passed on January 15, 2011 in England. He was married to Deddie Davies, who also starred in The Railway Children. Ooooh, nice cheeky romance on set.
16. Erik Chitty
Erik Chitty played the photographer. You may not remember him… but you’re still curious as to what he’s up to now, right? Right!
16. Erik Chitty
Eric’s television credits included a major role as the aged “Mr. Smith” – no, not in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but in Please Sir!.
Please Sir!
He also had multiple appearances in Dad’s Army, Raffles, Doctor Who, Danger Man, Man About the House and The Goodies.
He appeared in the TV musical Pickwick for the BBC in 1969. Yes, musicals, the lot!
Pickwick
But how did he end up in acting? As a son of a flour miller, purely by merit! See, everyone has a shot at stardom (well, if you can act, sing or dance – eek).
He attended Dover College and Jesus College, Cambridge where he was one of the founders of the Cambridge University Mummers, before training at RADA and becoming a professional actor. A smarty pants and a great actor? Alright for some.
17. Sally James
She may have only been cast as the maid, but Sally had one hell of a career after The Railway Children.
17. Sally James
She was an actress on such television shows as Sanctuary, Dixon of Dock Green, and Journey to the Unknown.
In her youth
Alongside Curry & Chips, Paul Temple, Father Dear Father, Harriet’s Back in Town, Crown Court, and The Two Ronnies.
Film roles included a small part in To Sir, with Love (1967) and the glam rock film Never Too Young To Rock (1975).
Now
From 1977 to 1982 though, she took centre stage and was the host of ITV Saturday morning children’s show Tiswas.
She now runs a business selling school uniforms in Cobham, Surrey, using her married name of Sally Smith. Some people just prefer the quiet life, I guess…
18. Dominic Allan
Dominic Allan was cast in The Railway Children as the C.I.D. man, as himself, Dominic Allan. Check! Him! Out!
18. Dominic Allan
FYI, a “C.I.A. man” is the military’s version of a CIA or FBI agent. Remember him now?
He played a policeman in Doctor Who
If not, you have seen Dominic Allan in Doctor Who in 1963. (That’s not the one with David Tenant in btw.)
Or The Girl with a Pistol in 1968? Well, that’s if you can speak German that is…
The Girl with a Pistol
The 1975 series Rebecca is perhaps more likely. Dominic is the one in a hat! (He played a sailor).
Not much else is known about Dominic Allan. We can’t even find a MySpace page or anything…
19. Richard Leech
Richard Leech did the voiceover of the Doctor in The Railway Children. What did he end up doing next?
19. Richard Leech
Richard Leech was born on November 24, 1922 in Dublin, Ireland as Richard Leeper McClelland.
A Night to Remember
He was known for A Night to Remember (1958), where he played First Officer William Murdoch.
In 1968 the actor featured in The Devil in the Fog as Sir John Dexter.
The Devil in the Fog
Gandhi was another successful film Richard contributed to – playing the character Brigadier, alongside Ben Kingsley.
The actor was married to Diane Margaret McClelland and Helen Hyslop Uttley, but sadly died on March 24, 2004.
20. Amelia Bayntun
Amelia Bayntun played the cook in The Railway Children. What else has she featured in?
20. Amelia Bayntun
Before the release of The Railway Children, Amelia was known for Carry on Camping (1969).
Carry on Camping
Carry On Camping is a 1969 British comedy film, the seventeenth in the series of Carry On films to be made.
In 1970, she then appeared in Carry on Loving. Then, what? Carry on, something? Maybe…
Carry on Loving
In 1972, Amelia was cast in Carry on Abroad, as Mrs. Tuttle. She died in 1988.
Now, last, but not least (if you’re still with us) is Paul Luty, who played Malcolm.
21. Paul Luty
Paul went on to feature in Love Thy Neighbour (1972) and Juggernaut (1974), before he died in 1985. Go on, grab a cuppa and a choccie biscuit and go and watch The Railway Children. “Daddy, my Daddy!”…
