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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 12: Washington DC

Episode 12

Episode 12: Washington DC

Series 1

Washington DC

BBC Two - Great American Railroad Journeys, Series 1, Washington DC

Michael explores the US capital, including a visit to the offices of the Washington Post.

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of the United States. In the capital, he visits the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the offices of the Washington Post.

Michael Portillo continues his American railroad journey from Philadelphia to Jamestown. 

Michael arrives in the nation's capital, Washington DC, centre of political power in the world's most powerful country. Steered by his Appleton's Guide of 1879, he admires its fine public buildings, including the largest library in the world, and discovers how the capital was built from scratch after a political compromise between North and South.  

At the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Michael meets the man responsible for engraving the portrait of President Abraham Lincoln on the current five-dollar bill and gets his hands on more money than he has ever held in his life.  

In the offices of the Washington Post, Michael learns about corruption in the corridors of power and how the newspaper toppled a president. He finishes this leg of his journey in the auditorium of the theatre where, in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

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Episode 12: Washington DC

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