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Train 48 was a Canadian television soap opera, broadcast on Global Television Network or CH (depending on location) airing from 2003 until 2005.

Train 48 was based on the format of an Australian television program called Going Home.

The show was broadcast daily, and recorded the same day. It took place in a railway carriage of a GO Train returning from Toronto to the suburb of Burlington, Ontario, and followed the lives of 12 daily commuters through their interactions. Although major plotlines were written in advance, much of the dialogue was improvised by the actors. The entire series was shot on a 64-foot replica of a GO Train, which kept production costs to a minimum. The train setting allowed a basic construct where characters would share and act upon their opinions and views. The same-day recording allowed for comments on topical news stories to be introduced. The filming production was completed by 1 :30 a.m. and edited by 5 :00 a.m., later broadcast into regular time slots in different regions of Canada through out the day (7:00 p.m. weeknights on Global in Toronto). It is estimated that each 30 minute episode cost $40,000 (Canadian).

The improvised format and quick turnaround enabled the inclusion of references to extremely current events, giving a heightened sense of realism and currency. For example the 2003 North America blackout was mentioned the next day. The show typically dealt with fictional relationships, humor and the non fictional topics mentioned were the cases of Scott Peterson, Karla Homolka, the SARS outbreak and different views about President George W. Bush.

Dilemmas and criticism

During the production of the series between 2003 to 2004 four episodes regularly were aired on Global during the week but since 2005 it was reduced to three with regular time slots. During the last year of production the plots became more complex meaning that the typical chat was more restricted to the fictional characters lives other than what was in the news. During production, the series received almost as much criticism as it gained fan momentum. Several characters were gay and lesbian (either single or in a relationship) and towards the last season several fans found that the show was too obsessive in being politically correct when portraying homosexuals. Other viewers criticism on the series dealt with the lack of realism in the plots (especially towards the last season), such as how such events are unlikely to occur. A few months before the show's termination the stories and plots were rushed to keep up, many fans reacted to these changes as rumors of Train 48 cancellation was to occur.

Cancellation

Rumors were finally concluded on June 2, 2005 when executive producer Cindy Wrong announced that Train 48 was cancelled due to its low ratings, and that the finale episode would be shown on July 1. After the finale, re-runs of the last few episodes aired until the finale was shown again on September 2.

Theme song

The series theme song was entitled "Train goes" by Adam Crossley and 9 Point Landing. See http://www.theadamcrossleyband.com/ (Train Goes automatically plays).

Cast

Regular guests

  • Allana Harkin (Mag)
  • Victoria Adilman (Julia)
  • Lindsay Ames (Naomi Reisman)
  • Kathryn Zenna (Mel)
  • Monica Correa (Ana)
  • Kristin Fairlie * (Jesse)

Other guest stars on Train 48 included politician Sheila Copps, actor Scott Thompson, comedian Rick Green, and former MuchMusic personality Amanda Walsh.

CanWest Global in partnership with Global had promoted the series with stories and columns in the National Post and Toronto Star newspapers.

References

  • http://www.protocolent.com/train48/
  • http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/06/02/Arts/train050602.html (Global cancels Train 48)
  • http://www.canada.com/entertainment/features/train48/story.html?id=c886b9fb-51aa-4a6e-a8eb-9cd444b14c4d

External links

Drama television series in Canada | Global network shows | Improvisation | Soap operas

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Train 48".

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