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Great American Railroad Journeys

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Factual: Travel

Michael Portillo crosses the Atlantic to ride the railroads of America.

Michael Portillo crosses the Atlantic to ride the railroads of America, armed with Appleton's General Guide to the United States, published in 1879.

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Great American Railroad Journeys: Series 1

Michael Portillo

John Comerford

Alison Kreps

Boundless Productions

Great American Railroad Journeys: Series 1: Episode 11: Baltimore to Fort McHenry

Episode 11

Episode 11: Baltimore to Fort McHenry

Series 1

Baltimore to Fort McHenry

BBC Two - Great American Railroad Journeys, Series 1, Baltimore to Fort McHenry

Michael Portillo is in Baltimore, home of the first railroad in the United States.

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America. Here, he is in Baltimore, home of the first railroad in the United States - the Baltimore and Ohio.

Michael Portillo continues his American rail journey from Philadelphia to Jamestown. In Baltimore, home of the first railroad in the United States - the Baltimore and Ohio - he discovers how the first American steam engine, the Tom Thumb, owed much to pioneering British technology. 

He investigates race relations in the troubled city, taking a drive downtown with a former drug dealer, now a teacher.  

On the city's beautiful east coast, Michael discovers the impressive star-shaped Fort McHenry and learns how the Star-Spangled Banner national anthem was born.

Medics at the city's Johns Hopkins Hospital show Michael how their institution has grown from its 19th-century foundation by the railroad magnate into a world-leading centre for healthcare.
 
And at the city's Lexington Market, Michael learns what gives a Maryland crab cake the edge.

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Great American Railroad Journeys

Series 1

Episode 11: Baltimore to Fort McHenry

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