Great British Railway Journeys

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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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Michael Portillo

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Joseph Cunningham

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Great British Railway Journeys: Series 9: Episode 13: Sheffield to Nantwich

Series 9

Episode 13

Episode 13: Sheffield to Nantwich

Sheffield to Nantwich

BBC Two - Great British Railway Journeys, Series 9, Sheffield to Nantwich

Michael Portillo discovers an enormous, beautifully preserved 20th-century steam engine.

Michael Portillo is in the steel city of Sheffield, where he discovers an enormous and beautifully preserved early 20th-century steam engine.

With his Edwardian railway guidebook tucked under his arm, Michael Portillo is in the steel city of Sheffield, where he discovers an enormous and beautifully preserved early 20th-century steam engine. At 400 tonnes and packing 12,000 horsepower, it produced armour plate for the most feared warship of the Royal Navy.

Heading south into Nottinghamshire, Michael reaches what was once the most successful coalfield in Europe. He follows his Bradshaw's guide to the former pit village of Eastwood, where he finds the birthplace of a man then called Bert, better known today as DH Lawrence. The author of Women in Love and Lady Chatterley's Lover opened the eyes of Edwardian society to the life of the working class and challenged their attitudes towards sexuality.

Michael changes gear at Langley Mill, where at the turn of the 20th century a forward-thinking entrepreneur founded a bicycle company which is still at the cutting edge of cycling today. Michael finishes with a dip in the briny at Nantwich.

Great British Railway Journeys: Series 9

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Michael Portillo embarks on a series of railway journeys through Edwardian Britain.

Michael Portillo fast tracks to the early 20th century to embark on a series of railway journeys through Edwardian Britain.

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Great British Railway Journeys

Series 9

Episode 13: Sheffield to Nantwich

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