Background

Casualty is Britain's top medical drama. Broadcast by BBC1 at the peak time on Saturday night, the series has run since 1986.

In June 2007, the BBC came to Wirksworth to film crucial scenes for an episode to be broadcast in late September.

Despite being located 150 miles from the production offices for Casualty, Wirksworth was chosen for several reaons:

• Readily adaptable station site allowing uncomplicated set dressing
• Availability of modern rolling stock, representative of trains in operation on the British national network
• Spacious location with mains services readily available
• A 'can-do' attitude by RailFilmLocations personnel

Transformation

Wirksworth station has three patform faces with unfussy buildings and room to develop the set.

A false front to the platform buildings was constructed, using at least one existing structure. Heads for the station lamps were rplaced with contemporary fitments and visual display units were fitted to represent contemporary practice.

Filming

Filming took place over three days and scenes took place in our Gatwick Express InterCity train and at Wirksworth ('Lightbourne').

The most dramatic scene involved use of a shunting locomotive and several wagons, set to represent a freight train.

A secondary storyline concerned a passenger being taken seriously ill on the train; this being our Gatwick Express formation.

Our close proximity to the town of Wirksworth allowed us to provide extras, including students from Antony Gell School in the town.

Other productions