In episode 4 the railway is declared to be coming to Cranford from Manchester and the beauty of the Ashridge Estate provides the perfect backdrop for a number of scenes. With the arrival of the railway there are fears of an influx of migrant works, the potential for the breakdown of order and a change that many members of the community are not ready for. Others welcome the change such as Mr Carter (Philip Glenister) who is keen to show young Harry Gregson (Alex Etel) the path the railway is to make. Captain Brown (Jim Carter) then points out the progress they've made and that it is proposed the railway will come right through the hillside. Lady Ludlow (Francesca Annis) also visits the site where the railway is due to pass as it is intended that it will cross her land. Her Ladyship is less than impressed. Captain Brown invites her to the Engineers Office to see the plans to which she reluctantly agrees. In a later scene, which may have been shot in woodland on the Estate but could not be verified, Dr Harrison meets Sophie Hutton (Kimberley Nixon) whilst she is teaching a group of young ladies to dance around a maypole ahead of the May Day parade. She climbs into the trap with Dr Harrison but Lizze (Rosy Byrne) and Helen (Hester Odgers) Hutton, her sisters are invited to joint them which was not quite what Dr Harrison had in mind. They still get to spend some time together but are spotted by Jem (Andrew Buchan) and Martha (Claudie Blakley) who are having a secret liaison ... behind a bush! Finally in this episode the town prepare for the May Day celebrations. The day finally dawns and everyone arrives. There are however a number of unexpected announcements. Matha inspired by an idea to help Miss Matty announces her engagement to Jem, clearly a surprise to him, along with her proposal to Miss Matty that they lodge with her; neither proposition sits well with Jem. The event also has a number of the town's single ladies anticipating a happy outcome. Their attentions and intentsion all focus on Dr Harrison who is in for a shock following various declarations which leaves the viewer, as well as Dr Harrison, on a cliff hanger for episode 5!