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BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

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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.

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

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Great British Railway Journeys: Series 5

Michael Portillo

Alison Kreps

John Comerford

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 5: Episode 1: Manchester to Birkenhead

Episode 1

Episode 1: Manchester to Birkenhead

Series 5

Manchester to Birkenhead

BBC Two - Great British Railway Journeys, Series 5, Manchester to Birkenhead

Michael finds out how Manchester gave birth to a revolutionary political movement.

On the first leg of a journey from Manchester to Chesterfield, Michael Portillo finds out how Manchester gave birth to a revolutionary political movement.

Michael Portillo embarks on a new journey from Manchester, birthplace of George Bradshaw, the publisher of his trusted guide, to Chesterfield, burial place of George Stephenson, the father of the railway.

In the first leg of the journey, Michael finds out how the world's first industrialised city also gave birth to a revolutionary political movement and hears how railway workers founded one of the most successful football clubs in the world. Along the way, Michael does the washing in Port Sunlight and discovers the legacy of an American named George Francis Train in Birkenhead.

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

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Michael Portillo finds out how railways have impacted on the places they link.

Michael Portillo takes train journeys across Britiain, finding out how railways were used and the impact they have had on the places they link, from the Victorian age of George Bradshaw to now.

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Great British Railway Journeys

Series 5

Episode 1: Manchester to Birkenhead

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