Arthur Conan Doyle had an agile and far-reaching imagination. It's always a fascinating intellectual exercise to peruse his works. This play is an entertaining adaption of one of his lesser known stories.

Interesting Doyle story sans Sherlock.

The story was probably inspired by the real-life disappearance of Engine 115 on Sept. 22, 1892 in Lindal, a little north of the locale of "The Lost Special". Adapted many times in various media, this story also provided some of the basis for the TV serial "Lost" and the graphic novel "Watchmen", and is slyly alluded to by both. For the analysis of "Lost". So far every single adaptation I've found that was earlier than "Lost", including this one, was alluded to on "Lost" by whatever details differentiated it fromm the original -- in this case the explosion of the engine in the mine, reflected as the airliner engine's explosion on the beach.

What do you all think of the news and commercials as well as the local station idents? My favorite are the KIXI local news breaks and the 70s elevator music they play in the background. I can't get enough of it and enjoy it as much as I do the stories themselves

I have mixed feelings about the news and commercials. For me its like getting a glimpse into history since I was only born in 1985. However, there are times when I just want to hear The Rest of The story as Paul Harvey would say. I do enjoy CBS rmt quite a bit. I haven't listened in a while, but they did have some great stories. The actors in the stories were excilent. I was glad to find out that some of them also read talking books for the blind sometimes as well.

I look at the news and commercials as an added bonus to the stories themselves. My wife looks forward to them. Every night when we climb into bed she always asks me if I have a story to listen to. One of my favorites has always been the Special K commercials, with the old ball and chain! Then just hearing some of the local business commercials that are pretty funny. Not just from KIXI. I just feel that much of the talent and free spirit exhibited back then has disappeared in today's environment.

Don't forget about the Susan Anton mattress commercial!

Actors not credited above include: Ian Martin as Clement Roget Court Benson as Superintendent Potter Robert Dryden as Inspector Collins

This was a greatmidea but the French accents were difficult for me to follow, some of the other characters were too similar, and the story was a little too convoluted. The short story may be worth reading.