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Great British Railway Journeys

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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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Great British Railway Journeys: Series 8

Michael Portillo

Alison Kreps

John Comerford

Boundless Productions

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 8: Episode 7: Manchester Piccadilly to Silkstone Common

Episode 7

Episode 7: Manchester Piccadilly to Silkstone Common

Series 8

Manchester Piccadilly to Silkstone Common

BBC Two - Great British Railway Journeys, Series 8, Manchester Piccadilly to Silkstone Common

Michael comes face to face with the Victorian scientist who invented modern atomic theory.

Michael Portillo's journey continues from Manchester. He comes face to face with the Victorian scientist who invented modern atomic theory.

Michael Portillo's journey from the Irish Sea to the North Sea continues by tram from Manchester. At the imposing town hall of the world's first industrial city, Michael comes face to face with the Victorian scientist who invented modern atomic theory. He then heads to the city's National Graphene Institute, where he learns to make the groundbreaking material invented there by two Nobel Prize-winning scientists. His Bradshaw's leads him to an 18th-century settlement built by refugees from Europe.

Next, deep underground at Standedge, Michael discovers an ambitious Victorian engineering marvel. At Silkstone Common, he tracks down the forge where a Victorian metallurgist created wrought iron axles strong enough for railway rolling stock and is delighted to discover the works operates its own miniature train.

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Using Bradshaw's Handbook, Michael Portillo sets off on three new railway journeys.

Using a nineteenth century Bradshaw's Handbook for travelling through Victorian Britain, Michael Portillo sets off on three new railway journeys which will take him across Britain.

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Great British Railway Journeys

Series 8

Episode 7: Manchester Piccadilly to Silkstone Common

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