Great British Railway Journeys

I have found myself currently hooked onto a BBC TV show called Great British Railway Journeys which sees Michael Portillo (former Policitian), journey through four railway lines as described in a guide by George Bradshaw, written around 170 years ago. I only stumbled across it as I was browsing through the BBC iPlayer one evening when I couldn't sleep. The first one that I came across was his journey from Carlisle to Glasgow. 


This journey intrigued me as it was the last leg of a journey I took many years ago to meet my, now, partner. Though I didn't take the detour trips that Michael Portillo took through his journey, it still interested me to find out bits of history along this route. 


Since that night I searched to the iPlayer to find other episodes and discovered that there were many other episodes to watch and catch up on. 


I am not really a railway buff but I think it's the fact that the railway was my mode of transport to get to my destination to meet my partner, whom I have been with for a great seven and a half years, that has given me a bit of interest on railways. Something I don't think I was aware of until now. Or maybe it's just interesting to see that a guidebook, written in the Victorian period, can still be followed in our modern world today.


It's given me a bigger insight into Great Britain and makes me want to follow the exact same route. Most especially to ride on an old steam train that goes over Ribblehead viaduct. The sight looks amazing just by watching it, heaven knows how amazing it would be to actually see it with your own eyes.


There are four railway journeys made each week following the Victorian guide book. I have more or less caught up now, thanks to the iPlayer. Michael is currently on the third journey from Swindon all the way down to Penzance. This long journey is then broken down into about five episodes as he passes through towns, taking stops to visit places or old trades mentioned in the Bradshaw's guidebook.


Bradshaw was a cartographer and he was the first man to make timetables of all the trains that ran throughout Britain in the Victorian period. 


The first railway journey taken goes across the country, coast to coast, starting at Liverpool going through to the seaside town of Scarborough.
The second sees Michael journey upwards from Preston going up passed the border into Scotland with his final destination Kirkcaldy, a place close to Michael's heart.
The third journey (which is currently on) goes south-west on the Great Western Railway (GWR), starting at Swindon, going through Cornwall, ending up in Penzance.
The fourth journey, I believe is from Buxton to London.


It has been a very interesting and educational series so far. I can't wait for the rest.


Why not have a look for yourself. Early episodes can still be watched on the BBC iPlayer. Let me know your thoughts on the show. A mini fansite, independent of the BBC was created for the series, check it out at www.greatbritishrailwayjourneys.com.


BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK.