Great British Railway Journeys

[mickrog]

Does anybody else find this to be a little gem of a programme? I think it is superb and informative and think Michael Portillo comes over as a nice and enthusiastic presenter. (I wonder where he gets his collection of jackets from...lol)

[SueMoneyRowley]

I've enjoyed this too.

[boxtops]

I'm enjoying the repeat of the one about the Indian Railways, with John Sergeant.

[shaneystar2]

I've been an avid fan since series one .He's very charming and I like his bright shirts and snazzy jackets .
He's very enthusiastic about trains ...he's a like a small boy sometimes especially when he gets to be able to be in the drivers cab of a particular train .
I'd love to own that collection of Bradshaws they show at the beginning. Bought a facsimile and it's really interesting .Brilliant programme .

[Gromit]

Great programme. Beautifully photographed. Portillo is an excellent presenter and good at talking with ordinary folk. And comparing the destinations in his old guide with today is interesting. Showing the railways effect on the each town it went to is informative.

A recent programme went to Windsor, where the Headmaster of Harrow raged a successful campaign against the railway, and was successful in sending Queen Victoria on a huge detour when leaving her castle. That was in the same week as the HS2 nimbys were in full steam.

The Beeb at its best.

[shaneystar2]

This series started off in my neck of the woods and I was delighted to see him interview one of our local characters on how this once great herring port transported fish by rail and another interview about how the railways were important in the days of the body snatchers for getting fresh corpses to London for medical research.
I totally agree Gromit ..this is the sort of thing the BBC does really well .

[Ann]

Fantastic programme mickrog - we never miss it! Seems to be hidden away on BBC2 just at teatime, we think it should be given a more prime time slot. completely changed my mind about Michael Portillo, couldn't stand him im government, thought he was pompous, but just shows how wrong I was - he's a really nice person and Yes - he does dress nice!

[Ann]

Is the Bradshaws guide they are selling on Amazon worth buying shaney? Would love to get it for Hubby's birthday next month...

[shaneystar2]

Worth buying Anne. Don't buy the expensive twenty quid one.It hasn't got very good reviews ..Get this one which has lots of good reviews and is exactly the same as the more expensive one .
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

Bought it for Mr S for Christmas.

[gingejbee]

I'm no particular train fan, but find this programme to be quite addictive. Everything about it is "just right". And there are several more "trips" still to go in the series.

[trt]

Ive watched all of the series from when they first started. You can learn so much from the places that he visits, that you would never have thought about.

For instance, last week he was in a place (cant remember) where the word 'WAKE' came from after a funeral.
Excuse me if Im thick but, I never associated the word with grave robbers who used to dig up the corpse after a burial and take it by train to London to sell to hospitals for whatever purpose.
The people caught on and when somebody was buried, they used to stay AWAKE by the grave, to stop anybody stealing the body!

Every programme you learn something.

[gingejbee]

...and I like the way he books in at the hotels (and leaves the following morning) without any luggage!

[shaneystar2]

I often wonder if he actually stays in these posh hotels gingejbee .Some of them must command lotsa dosh per night . I prefer to think he just goes there for the programme but in reality stays at a cheep B&B to save on production costs :)
I can assure you trt that graves were robbed from St Nicholas Church in Gt Yarmouth for medical purposes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...land-norfolk-15444450

[gingejbee]

shaney: I'd like to think that he stays at a cheap B&B too, but I doubt it! Nice places to stay are probably part of the "package" from the production company.

[LoftyLottie]

Love the programme. Like Ann86 couldn't stand him when he was in politics and have completely reversed my opinion. One of the best and most genuine presenters ever and very courteous. Oh, and yes a nice bright sense of fashion.

[bundleone]

Michael was on the one show tonight, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

[sddsddean]

Not only does he 'stay' in the hotel, but he always seems to get the 'Royal Suite' (or whatever) with the wonderful view and 5 rooms. Not much like the British hotels I've stayed in!! Apart from that, brilliant series.

[daisya]

Brilliant programme even if I'm not that interested in trains, it is very informative, the scenery is lovely and I even like Michael Portillo presenting it so Mr Daisya and I are enjoying the series.

[trt]

I thought he was gay bundleone?

[Caran]

Love the programme, like him also but didn't like him as a politician. Liked last nights one from where I live in Forest of Dean, learned a bit I didn't know so that is good.

[Ann]

Thanks for the tip re: Bradshaws guide Shaney - just ordered one for Hubby's birthday, he will be delighted I'm sure. :)
trt - i don't think he's gay, I'm sure he mentioned his wife and children on one episode this week.