PICKS OF THE DAY

Documentary: The Joy Of Train Sets: The Model Railway Story, BBC4, 7pm

Exploring the popularity of train replicas, and how a pastime that started out as an adult obsession with building intricate and scale-size fully engineered model railways morphed into the iconic toy of many and youngster’s childhood throughout the 1950s and 1960s and, indeed, to this very day. With contributions from passionate modellers such as Pete Waterman (left), this programme celebrates the joys of miniaturisation.

Film: Steel Magnolias, Film4, 6.40pm

In a small Louisiana town, a diverse group of women regularly connect at their kitsch small-town beauty salon where they discuss men, the menopause, manicures and marriage. When tragedy strikes, they draw upon each other’s friendship. Comedy drama starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts (above with Field), who was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role.

Lifestyle: Stacey Solomon’s Crafty Christmas, BBC1, 8pm

Celebrity mum Stacey Solomon (left) and her five youngsters are joined by family and friends as they create ingenious home-made gifts and personalised decorations together – from Nutcracker figures made from household items to festive lanterns and stunning Christmas Pudding wreaths – that she hopes will bring joy and wonder, without blowing the budget. She also calls upon the help of her sister, the local Women’s Institute and professional organiser Dilly Carter as she throws an extra special Christmas party to say thank-you to the volunteers who have been working throughout the year to help those in need.

Film: Christmas In Toyland, BBC3, 7pm

Big city data analyst Charlie is sent by her boss at the Big Teddy Toyland company to examine first-hand the success of one of their stores that is bucking the downward sales trend. In New Jersey, she meets manager Grant, who has a contempt for corporate life and tries to retain the spirit of his grandfather, who also ran a toy store. Romantic comedy, starring Vanessa Lengies and Jesse Hutch (above).

History: Secret History – The Dambusters’ Great Escape, More4, 10pm

The Tirpitz, dubbed “The Beast” by Winston Churchill, was Nazi Germany’s most powerful battleship. It was seen as invincible, but after 34 failed attempts to sink it, the RAF sent the 617 “Dambusters” and 9 Squadrons succeeded during a raid in November 1944. This programme features eyewitness accounts from surviving RAF and Luftwaffe crew, and German sailors, offering new evidence to explain the mission’s improbable success.