Great British Railway Journeys - Disc 9

Michael Portillo has taken to the tracks again. As the British railway system developed in the early 19th century, suddenly not only goods but people as well had the opportunity to travel great distances with relative ease and comfort. For the general public the question was where did the trains go? And when? And what was at the other end and along the way? Into that void stepped George Bradshaw who began publishing comprehensive guide books with not only details of all the rail lines, stops, and timetables, but a description of what one might find at the stops along the way, helping to create a tourist industry. People traveling just for the sake of seeing what was out there. Using a circa-1850's guide book, Portillo explores how the rail system impacted life and culture and how the places remain today. This program is really a travelogue that uses the rail system between stops at interesting places.  

Great British Railway Journeys