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Great British Railway Journeys

Documentaries

Factual: History

Factual: Travel

Documentary series in which Michael Portillo travels the country by train.

All aboard! Armed with his trusty Bradshaw's guide, Michael Portillo explores the UK the railways made. Uncover hidden gems and fascinating communities from across the nation.

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BBC Two Scotland

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

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England

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

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The BBC West region started on 1st September 1957 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One West.

BBC One West

The BBC South West region started on 20th April 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South West.

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The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

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BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

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The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

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The BBC North East & Cumbria region started in 1959 (tbc) as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One North East & Cumbria.

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Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region that included London and part of the South region. Separated from BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

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BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

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Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 3

Michael Portillo

Jay Taylor

John Comerford

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 3: Episode 14: Cardiff to Brecon

Cardiff to Brecon

Episode 14

Episode 14: Cardiff to Brecon

Series 3

BBC Two - Great British Railway Journeys, Series 3, Cardiff to Brecon

Michael Portillo discovers the Victorian coal heritage of Cardiff.

Michael Portillo discovers the Victorian coal heritage that turned Cardiff into the city it is today, and takes a steam ride through Brecon Beacons National Park.

Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what remains of Bradshaw's Britain. 

All this week he is travelling west, from Oxford in the heart of England, through the Malvern Hills and into Wales, taking in the unique Victorian heritage of the South Wales coastline. 

Today Michael discovers the Victorian coal heritage that turned Cardiff into the city it is today, explores the 19th-century reason why Barry Island isn't an island, and takes a steam ride through the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park.

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Series 2

Michael Portillo travels the country to see how the railways changed us

Documentary series in which Michael Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us

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Great British Railway Journeys

Series 3

Episode 14: Cardiff to Brecon

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