Book description
The perfect companion to Bradshaw's guide book. Showcasing in colour
all that is great about Bradshaw's guide.
Great British Railway Journeys has been a hugely successful TV
programme, which is now into its third series on BBC2. Much as Michael
Palin built up a dedicated fan base for travel around the globe, so
Michael Portillo has done likewise for lovers of trains in his
explorations the length and breadth of the United Kingdom from the
window of a train seat.
Both charming and insightful, Michael again uses Bradshaw's guides, and
now undertakes five unique journeys that were constructed by the
Victorians from 1830-1900. Across 25 episodes he delves into this
fascinating and colourful period of our history, and show how the modern
British landscape was created from this Victorian legacy. From Windsor
to Weymouth, Great Yarmouth to London, Oxford to Milford Haven, Berwick
to Barrow, and finally Dublin to Belfast - Michael will go back in time
to showcase areas of outstanding Victorian engineering and design across
Queen Victoria's dominions. Key parts of the programme and tie-in book
will showcase how the world's very first fixed-track train in Merthyr
Tydfil operated; how the world's first electric train service ran in
Southend to its famous pier; and he also celebrates the wide variety of
lines that opened up trade and mobility to the Victorian classes.
Travelling on a variety of existing, and in some cases restored,
Victorian train lines, he meets their passionate supporters who lovingly
work on them, and also looks at the modern landscape to tell the story
of how each area was shaped by their Victorian forebears. Lavishly
produced, this will once again be a 'must have' purchase for all train
lovers, as well as those who simply want to find out their heritage and
what is now available to view and travel upon in the 21st century to
transport them back in time. • 'A colourful insight into Britain over
the last 150 years' - National Geographic Traveller
• 'The train…has transcended mere utility to become an icon. The
history of Britain's on-off affair with the train is a history of
Britain itself' - Lonely Planet Magazine
