The first BBC TV version was presented as an 8 part x 30mins. serial between 6 Feb 1951 and 27 Mar 1951. The original production was broadcast live from the Children's TV studio at Lime Grove. There was one transmission during the week with a live repeat, often with a totally different crew, on Sundays. In those days, the amount of telecine (film inserts) was relatively small, so there was great pressure on the actors and the camera crews.
The Railway Children (Season 1)
The Beginning of Things (Episode 1)
Air date: 1951-02-06
Runtime: 30 min
Peter's Coal Mine (Episode 2)
Air date: 1951-02-13
Runtime: 30 min
An Illness and a Birthday (Episode 3)
Air date: 1951-02-20
Runtime: 30 min
Prisoners and Captives (Episode 4)
Air date: 1951-02-27
Runtime: 30 min
Saviours of the Train (Episode 5)
Air date: 1951-03-06
Runtime: 30 min
The Pride of Perks and the Terrible Secret (Episode 6)
Air date: 1951-03-13
Runtime: 30 min
The Hound in the Red Jersey (Episode 7)
Air date: 1951-03-20
Runtime: 30 min
The End of Things (Episode 8)
Air date: 1951-03-27
Runtime: 30 min
Seasons
Episodes 8
Episodes 4