Great British Railway Journeys Ep 1/20
In 1840, one man transformed travel in Britain. His name was George Bradshaw and his railway guides inspired the Victorians to take to the tracks. Stop by stop, he told people where to travel, what to see and where to stay. Now, 170 years later, Michael Portillo makes four epic journeys across the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us and what remains of Bradshaw’s Britain.
The first journey sees Michael travel coast to coast, from Liverpool to Scarborough. His first stop is the great port of Liverpool, where he meets local author Peter Grant. Michael gets a lesson in how to speak Scouse, as they explore the impact of immigration on the city and its famous accent.
Michael then visits Birkenhead Park, one of the inspirations for Central Park in New York. There he meets Mervyn Kingston, whose family fled from Russia in the 1880s when the Jews were being persecuted in the pogroms. Mervyn tells Michael that many of the Jewish refugees ended up in Liverpool, after catching the train from Hull, to begin their journey to America.
Leaving Liverpool, Michael travels along the world’s first passenger railway line to Manchester. Stopping off at Rainhill, he talks to rail expert Christian Wolmar about the Rainhill Trials – the first locomotive race which was won by Stephenson’s Rocket – and also finds out about the first railway fatality.
After spending the night in Worsley, Michael explores the nearby underground canals, part of the world’s first canal system built by the Duke of Bridgewater. At his last stop, he meets Ian Edmonds for a tour of his family’s cake factory – the last remaining Eccles cake business in the area. There, Michael has a go at folding an Eccles cake and finds out why these sweet pastries were exported all over the world.
6 Responses to “Great British Railway Journeys Ep 1/20”
Comment from jacquie findlay
Time January 7, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Great british railway journeys, lovely programme with Michael Portillo its a shame about the awful background music that dominates the whole programme if you have to use it can it be a little more low key please……..
Comment from Bridget
Time January 18, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I love the music in the background, can anyone tell me what it is please.
Comment from rachel
Time January 21, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Hi can anyone tell me what the background and theme music is for the Great British Railway Journey with Michael Portilo. I see that someone else has left a message but not sure how to see the reponse.
Thank u
Comment from fred
Time January 21, 2010 at 11:45 pm
the credits say the music is by John Wygens
Comment from Carole
Time January 24, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Did Bradshaw never visit Wales, was it left out of his book as not worth mentioning, or did I just miss that episode ? It seems that although Trevethick built the first railway line near Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, no-one but the Welsh knows of its existence. I am however enjoying the series with Michael Portillo
Comment from Martin F Peagam
Time January 4, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Michael refers to ‘the world’s first passenger railway line’ and ‘first railway fatality’. Surely both statements are wrong! Liverpool / Manchester may have been ‘first inter-city passeenger railway line’ and Hiskisson was first celebrity death, but what about the following firsts:
1803 The first public railway, the Surrey Iron Railway opens in south London.
1807 First fare-paying, passenger railway service in the world was established on the Oystermouth Railway in Swansea, Wales. Later this became known as the Swansea and Mumbles Railway although the railway was more affectionately known as “The Mumbles Train” (Welsh: Tren Bach I’r Mwmbwls). The railway survived using various forms of traction until 1960.
1808 Richard Trevithick sets up a circular steam railway (didn’t go anywhere) for the public to experience for 1 shilling each.
1825 Stephenson’s Stockton and Darlington Railway, the first publicly subscribed, adhesion worked railway using steam locomotives, carrying freight from a Colliery to a river port (Passengers were conveyed by horse-drawn carriages).
1830 The Canterbury and Whitstable Railway opens in Kent, England on the 3 May, Engineered by George Stephenson, 3 months before the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. A 5¾ mile line running from Canterbury to the small port and fishing town of Whitstable, approx. 55 miles east of London. Traction was provided by three Stationary Winding Engines, and “INVICTA”; Invicta was an 0-4-0 Loco, built by the Stevenson company, but only operated on a level section of track owing to the fact she produced a meagre 9 hp.
1830 The Liverpool and Manchester Railway opens, and the first steam passenger service, primarily locomotive hauled, is started. The line proves the viability of rail transport, and large scale railway construction begins in Britain, and then spreads throughout the world. The Railway age begins.
And there were certainly plenty of railway casualties – drivers, animals, passengers, public – prior to 1830. For example a colloery worker called Lewis run over by colliery train in 1886.