RAILDATE 2023.03.31

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Thank you to this week's contributors.

The Weekly Poser: Where is this?

I am here, now! (31st March 2023). Where is it?

Please email your answers to raildate.co.uk@gmail.com.

Last week's Where is this?

The location of this little 0-4-0 diesel was a story in last week's Raildate. Where is it? (Photo taken 2013)

Answer: Sleeperzzz @ Rogart on the Far North Line in Scotland. Congratulations are due to the following for their correct answers: No-one!.

Sadly, Sleeperzzz has recently announced its closure. It has been providing overnight stays in railway carriages for over 25 years. The Ruston diesel in the yard is an industrial machine from 1950 but I've been unable to uncover any more info.

I stayed there in 2013, and had the place to myself. Michael Portillo was filmed as staying there - but did he really?

TELEVISION

UK television listings with a transport theme for the next eight days

Click me to open/close [Online only, not in the weekly email]

24 Hours in A&E -:- A 56-year-old woman is rushed to St George's with an open ankle fracture after falling in her garden, and a man suffering chest pains looks back on his career on the railway, which was cut short by a leg amputation. An 84-year-old man collapses at home following a bout of dizziness, and his children reflect on the challenges of watching his health decline in recent years

Air Crash Investigation -:- How a calculation error left the crew of a freight train unaware of its true weight, leading them to underestimate the amount of braking force it needed

Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks -:- When Alvin sees every celebrity with their own personal bodyguard, he decides to train Theodore for the job

Amazing Railway Adventures with Nick Knowles -:- The presenter explores Malaysia via three train journeys. First is a short hop to the Batu Caves with their rainbow-painted steps. Then Nick boards the jungle train from Mentakab to Gua Musang, taking in an elephant sanctuary. Finally, he enjoys a high-speed trip from arty Ipoh to cosmopolitan Penang

American Pickers -:- Dani and Robbie check out a property in Arizona with killer steam engines, while Mike and Jersey unearth a vast collection of petroliana in Alabama

Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson -:- The actor enjoys a 10,000km journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway, a network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East. In Khabarovsk, Tony is met by the extraordinary sight of the River Amur, frozen solid. He's invited to warm up over dinner with a group of locals who offer him a taste of their home-brewed vodka. Tony then re-joins the rails, learning about how Russia has changed since the days of communism. Further stops on his tour are Yekaterinburg, in the foothills of the Ural Mountains and Red Square in Moscow, before he heads west towards Finland's capital city, Helsinki

Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson -:- The actor heads to Japan, taking the bullet train to Kyoto and meeting young people there who are rebelling against the traditional corporate lifestyle expectations of Japanese society. Tony then travels through the world's longest - and deepest - undersea rail tunnel, emerging in the thick snow of Hakodate.

Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson -:- The actor rides the El Chepe train from the west coast of Mexico through to the Copper Canyon - a system larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. From there, Tony jumps on Mexico's only passenger line to head towards the USA. Along the way, he stops in the city of Chihuahua where he discovers Sotol, the region's answer to Tequila. He then heads to Juarez, a city once strongly associated with drug cartels. After crossing the US border into El Paso, Tony meets a fellow train enthusiast trying to revive historic street cars. The final stop on this leg of his journey is Los Angeles' Union Station

Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson -:- The actor sets off from London's St Pancras station on a quest to explore southern Europe in a whole new way. His first stop in France is the Camargue in the country's south, where he helps ranchers herd bulls across vast fields, then heads to Spain's Costa Brava and visits Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium.

Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson -:- The actor sets off from Seattle on an Amtrak Cascades train into Canada, where he is struck by the beauty of Vancouver and the warmth of the locals. He then takes a two-day rail journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. While the other passengers relax and enjoy the luxury service, Tony is put to work in its kitchen. Lastly, he travels via Alaska to the small town of Talkeetna. Boarding a float plane, Tony flies over snow-covered mountains to reach the base of the Alaskan glaciers, where he witnesses the impact of climate change up close

Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson -:- The actor travels through the heart of South America, exploring Argentina and Peru. In Buenos Aires he meets up with charismatic local Viviana Parara. They go tango dancing, out for a lunch of prime Argentine steak and finally find themselves in the middle of a huge street dance. Tony then travels north into Peru, heading to the ancient city of Cusco where he takes a detour to visit the Amazon rainforest. A further train ride takes him from Cusco up to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Visiting this Incan citadel has been a lifelong dream for Tony, and it does not disappoint

Around the World by Train with Tony Robinson -:- The last leg of Tony's round the world adventure begins deep in the Arctic Circle. His first stop is at a Polar Park working with wolves on a fascinating but brave project. Tony then rides the Arctic Circle Train south to the town of Kiruna, on the edge of Swedish Lapland, which is undergoing a very unique transformation as it's being moved building by building to a whole new area. Tony also gets to see behind the scenes at the famous Ice Hotel, a structure which is rebuilt every year from ice taken from the nearby Torne river and ends his journey at Miniature Wonderland - the world's largest model railway

Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild -:- Ben meets a 40-year-old British woman who gave up her old life as a communications manager to train huskies inside the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden. He joins Gaynor Leeper and her new husband Milos in their hand-built cabin, which has neither electricity nor running water, and also meets the couple's 40 Alaskan huskies. The trio then embark on a tough trek driving dogs through the icy wilderness, with Ben learning how to sled and to manage both himself and the animals in temperatures as low as -30C

Bissell Cleaning Solutions -:- A range of products from Bissell to keep your home spotlessly clean. From spring cleaning to steam cleaning we have it all here on Ideal World.

Bob the Builder -:- Scoop takes Pilchard to the zoo and tries to train her like a dog, but when she refuses to follow commands, she ends up trapped in the bears' enclosure

Britain and the Sea -:- David Dimbleby investigates the importance of the sea to trade and to the individual livelihoods of coastal communities. He sails along the west coast of Scotland, starting at Craobh Haven and along the Crinan Canal, a waterway designed by East Lothian engineer John Rennie to take 120 miles off the journey from the west coast to Glasgow and safely avoid the turbulent waters around the Mull of Kintyre. He also climbs aboard the last working sea-going Clyde puffer, where he earns his keep shovelling coal in the steam room, and reflects on the role played by the river in both trade and shipbuilding

Britain's Most Evil Killers -:- A profile of John Duffy and David Mulcahy, who terrorised the south of England in the 1980s with a string of attacks on women and children near railway stations

Brunel: The Man Who Built Britain -:- The story of the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the man who designed the world's fastest railway, longest suspension bridge and largest ship. Over 150 years on from his death, this film goes back in time to explore the extraordinary stories behind Brunel's greatest creations, including the Great Western Railway and the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The film also explores the wider story of what kind of Britain Brunel's genius was able to flourish in

Caught Red Handed -:- Dominic Littlewood looks at filmed evidence used by the police, businesses and the public to catch criminals. Featuring a man on a train who steals bags from above victims' heads and armed men in white chemical suits as they steal jewellery worth a quarter of a million pounds from a family business

Caught Red Handed -:- Dominic Littlewood presents more examples of filmed evidence that have helped to bring criminals to book. Football violence kicks off at a railway station, prompting a 5ft 2 woman to step in and try to calm down the brawling supporters. Plus, footage of an armed robber who may be carrying a gun but still says 'please'

Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railway Journeys -:- Chris Tarrant returns for more train journeys through some of the world's most challenging terrain. He heads to the Arctic for a trip along the Alaska Railroad, but as he arrives in the port of Seward, it's not a great start as there are no trains running, so he ends up hitching a ride with a track inspector's car. He continues his journey on a freight train heading for Anchorage, Alaska's biggest city, and finally heads north on the Aurora passenger train to the town of Healy. Along the way he checks out the tiny village of Eklutna, which has great importance for the indigenous inhabitants, and goes for an intrepid fishing trip on a thawing frozen lake

Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railway Journeys -:- Chris travels through Argentina, starting his journey at British-built railway station in Buenos Aires and taking an overnight train to the pampas lowlands. In the major port of Bahia Blanca, Chris meets four veterans of the Falklands War and finds out what the locals now think about the British, before ending his journey by riding La Trochita, known in English as the Old Patagonian Express

Cranford -:- First in a two-part special. The story picks up in August 1844, two years after Miss Matty lost her beloved sister Deborah. Mr Buxton has returned to live quietly in Cranford following the death of his wife, although Miss Matty is concerned about his relationship with his son as neither seem to be coping with their bereavement. The local busybody is also worried about Peggy Bell, who lives in an isolated cottage looking after her inattentive mother and domineering brother, so she hatches a plot to bring these young residents together. However, the surprise arrival of Lady Ludlow's son Lord Septimus leads to a chain of unexpected events concerning the looming railway, and a tragedy at Matty's own house forces her to re-evaluate her opinions on the subject. Judi Dench and Jonathan Pryce star

Cywion Bach -:- The Cywion Bach love trains and their friends are having fun seeing a train, playing with trains and also painting one too

Dad's Army -:- A land mine cuts off all power and communications services in Walmington-on-Sea, but Captain Mainwaring rises to the challenge by declaring martial law - while Pike gets stuck on some iron railings. Vintage comedy first broadcast in 1974, starring Arthur Lowe and Ian Lavender

Dad's Army -:- Captain Mainwaring and his platoon are ordered to clear the area for a major army exercise - but encounter a problem in the shape of a steam engine blocking the path. Classic comedy first broadcast in 1974, starring Arthur Lowe

Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly -:- Graeme Hall helps to train two dogs that go overboard in protecting the family home and possessions, and another that is particularly protective of the owners' 18-month-old baby. Another candidate for retraining is an energetic cavapoochon who loves to run faster than its owners can handle and does not know to respond to its own name

Dragonfly Squadron (1954) -:- Major Matthew Brady is assigned to train South Korean troops in preparation for combat, but the appearance of an American woman who he was once close to marrying proves to be a distraction. Drama, starring John Hodiak, Barbara Britton and Bruce Bennett

Dylan McGrath's Secret Service -:- The renowned chef acts as mentor to five chefs-in-the-making, who train with him in his restaurant Fade Street Social over a four-week period. His task is to prepare them to produce a fine dining event to raise funds for the charities that support them

Escape to the Country -:- Ginny Buckley helps a couple and their dogs to make a fresh start in the Cornish countryside. For their £550,000 budget they want a character property with plenty of room inside for their family to stay, plus space outside for their beloved dogs. Ginny's time in Cornwall coincides with the preparations for an annual steam fair extravaganza, where she gets behind the wheel of a magnificent vintage engine

Evasive Action (1998) -:- A prison housing America's deadliest criminals closes, and the inmates are transported by train to a new penitentiary. Among them is a man coming to the end of a sentence for killing his wife's murderer, who realises his travelling companions are hatching an escape plan. Action thriller, starring Dorian Harewood and Roy Scheider

Forged in Fire -:- Four bladesmiths must forge not just one, but three knives from railroad spikes in only three hours. Time management is essential for hammering out three functional knives that can withstand a brutal round of testing. After two smiths' knives go off the rails, the remaining two competitors return to recreate the iconic Medieval Arming Sword

Fort Yuma (1955) -:- When an Apache chief is killed in a fight with a settler, his son goes on the warpath, launching an attack on a supply train headed for Fort Yuma. The only survivors - an embittered officer, a scout and a female missionary - realise the war party plan to kill everyone at the fort, and face a tortuous journey to raise the alarm. Western, starring Peter Graves and Joan Vohs

Four in a Bed -:- The fourth and final visit is to the Ladbrooke Hotel in the heart of Birmingham, where manager Snehal Lakhani claims he accepts nothing less than perfection. A room with a broken window proves far from flawless for Natasha and Laura, while Danni and Graham are concerned about the proximity of a train line to their bedroom

Four in a Bed -:- The week kicks off at Railway Hotel Apartments in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, where guests spend an afternoon out at Westonbirt Arboretum and experience some heating issues

Fringe -:- Passengers aboard a commuter train suddenly die and the team discovers that all electrical equipment and the victims' bodies had been drained of power, and the trail of evidence leads them to a noted professor. Peter remains suspicious Walter, who is still hiding a terrible secret. Guest starring Peter Weller (24)

Grand Tours of Scotland's Lochs -:- Paul Murton travels through old Perthshire. He lends a hand bringing in the cattle and hears how Rob Roy MacGregor might not have been the romantic figure of popular fiction. He also travels along a disused railway to a place where the earth once moved for folk at the 'Shaky Toun', and enjoys a trek on horseback to Loch Tay, where he goes back to the iron age and learns how to light a fire without matches

Great Asian Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues exploring Hong Kong, riding the MTR metro system and talking to people involved in the current political protests. He learns about Sun Yat Sen, the first president of the Republic of China, who studied medicine in Hong Kong, and in one of the walled villages of the New Territories, he meets a descendant of one of the region's oldest dynasties

Great Asian Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo journeys through Thailand, stopping to help at a hospital for elephants wounded by landmines and visiting ruined temples in the former Siamese capital of Ayutthaya

Great Asian Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo visits the Thai capital of Bangkok, mid-way through his rail tour of the country, where he learns how the late-19th-century King Rama V built a grand palace and introduced railways to the country. He discovers the fine terminus commissioned by the king and meets a historian and designer, who shares family roots with the present royal dynasty. Michael also learns that King Rama V's love of steam engines was inspired by Queen Victoria

Great Asian Railway Journeys -:- On this leg of his trip in Thailand, Michael Portillo tries his hand at the art of umbrella-making and learns about northern Thai cookery. He explores the walled and moated city of Chiang Mai, former capital of the Lanna Kingdom before it was annexed by the King of Siam. Travelling south to Lampang, he discovers the former centre of the teak wood business and investigates how successive Thai kings preserved their independence from the rival colonial powers of Britain and France

Great Australian Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo travels by rail through Queensland from Kuranda to Townsville, marvelling at the engineering expertise of a railway line built in the 1890s. He also visits a plantation where he learns how to harvest sugar cane and ventures into the hinterland, where he braves a crocodile safari

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo begins his journey in Kirkby-in-Furness, Cumbria, where he learns about the village's famous blue slates. He then heads to Barrow to examine the secret world of nuclear submarines and finishes his trip in Lancaster, where he discovers why executions at the castle drew so many spectators in Victorian times

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues his journey to Leeds by travelling through Buckinghamshire, meeting one of the Second World War's most secret agents at Bletchley. In Olney, he learns about a poet whose words are still sung today, and explores the first purpose-built railway town at Wolverton. His last stop is Newport Pagnell, where he tackles the ancient craft of vellum-making

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues the final leg of his journey, meeting a survivor of the Coventry Blitz and exploring how the city has been rebuilt since the 1940 bombardment. Reaching Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, he stops overnight at Hartwell House and visits the area's last pure-breed duck farmer, before heading to Watford in Hertfordshire to learn about Operation Pied Piper

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo crosses the Irish Sea to explore the history of Ireland's railways, including the construction of a line along the treacherous east coast near Dublin. Ahead of visiting Northern Ireland later in the week, he also examines 19th-century crime and punishment in a Victorian jail, and discovers how the lions of Dublin Zoo changed the fortunes of the railways

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on a journey to Chichester, with the first leg beginning in Norwich. At the city's Norman castle he uncovers the Victorian public's gory fascination with crime and punishment and finds out how campaigners such as Elizabeth Fry worked to improve conditions for prisoners. Heading west to Thetford, he explores how the Victorian appetite for rabbits and their fur led to special train services to London, and ends in the Suffolk town of Brandon, where he tries his hand at flint-knapping

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on another journey around the nation with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook to discover how the railways have affected people and what remains of Bradshaw's Britain. He begins by travelling from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, to Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, finding out about the remarkable craftsmen behind the Victorian furniture trade, discovering how George Bradshaw helped save Britain's canal heritage and seeing Shakespeare through the eyes of a 19th-century rail tourist

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on the first leg of a journey from Southampton to Wolverhampton, beginning by being taught how to set a table aboard the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth. In the village of Netley he finds the remains of an extensive military hospital built by order of Queen Victoria, and ends his travels in Basingstoke, where he learns out about a pitched battle between townspeople and the Salvation Army

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on the first leg of a journey to London from Buxton, Derbyshire, where he discovers how railways inspired a building craze and boosted tourism. In the Peak District, he joins a team of volunteers repairing damage done to ancient peat landscapes during the Industrial Revolution, and near the quarries of Stanton Moor he learns how trains transported Derbyshire's famous sandstone all over England

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on the second leg of his journey from Buxton to London, stopping at Cromford, Derbyshire, where Bradshaw's railway guide reports Richard Arkwright built his original cotton mill. He also visits Derby to take a walk through Britain's first public park, and heads for Burton-on-Trent for a tour of Burton Bridges Breweries

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo ends his journey across northern England by setting sail from Heysham, Lancashire, to visit the Isle of Man, where he learns about the horse-drawn trams of Douglas, reveals the 19th-century secrets of the Laxey Waterwheel and explores the Victorian history of the Snaefell mountain railway

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo ends his journey across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland by walking across the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in Co Antrim. He then follows in the footsteps of the Victorians at Giant's Causeway, and explores the history of Londonderry

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo explores the rich history of Belfast's Victorian docks, learns about a 150-year-old spade-making tradition and takes a walk along coastal paths of Whitehead, Co Antrim

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo explores the Victorians' fascination with antiquity as he continues his tour of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. He visits the cromlech stones of Dundalk, Co Louth, and an observatory in Co Armagh, and travels on the steam railway in Downpatrick, Co Down

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo learns how the railways helped to make Birmingham the pen-making capital of the world, hears the chilling tale of one of 19th-century Britain's most notorious murderers and samples delicacies concocted in a Victorian kitchen at Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo reaches London, where he continues to discover what remains of George Bradshaw's Britain. Arriving at St Pancras, he learns about the station's troubled history and £800million makeover, before travelling along the world's first underground line from King's Cross to Farringdon. The trip comes to an end at the Houses of Parliament, where he climbs the clock tower and meets the men responsible for keeping Big Ben working

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo's journey from Buxton to London continues in Walsall, where he visits a leather business that still supplies the Queen with saddlery. He then explores how the centre of Birmingham has changed since Bradshaw's times, and is taught how to cook a curry by the owner of a leading Indian restaurant. Finally, he heads to the village of Bournville, where he learns how the railway transformed the fortunes of the Cadbury brothers

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo spends the night in a converted post office railway carriage before continuing his journey from Swindon to Penzance, heading for Par, where he meets miner Ivor Bowditch to explore the largest clay mine in the world. In Mevagissey he discovers how the methods for pilchard fishing have changed over the years, and on a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Michael learns about the 1,000-acre estate's history

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo travels from Stoke-on-Trent to Winsford, Cheshire, finding out about one of the greatest locomotive factories in railway history along the way. He also discovers the dark side of the Industrial Revolution and learns how Victorian potteries brought their products to the masses

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo travels from the Co Meath town of Enfield to the east coast port of Drogheda in Co Louth. He explores the railway network within the Bog of Allen, learns about the Victorian secrets of the Boyne Viaduct, and ventures into underground zinc mines

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo travels through Hampshire and Berkshire, as he continues his journey to Wolverhampton. His stop-off points include Stratfield Saye House, the stately home bequeathed by the nation to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, in 1817. He then heads to Aldershot Garrison, where he is put through his paces under military instruction. At St Michael's Abbey in Farnborough, Michael visits the tomb of French emperor Napoleon III and his family, before ending in Crowthorne, Berkshire, the home of Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital

Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo undertakes the last leg of his journey from Swindon to Penzance. He travels to Perran Sands, where he searches for the lost church of St Piran, a place believed to be one of the earliest Christian sites in England. In Redruth, he explores the remains of the Cornish tin industry, before heading to St Ives, where he spends the night in Treganna Castle. The former politician finishes his trip in Penzance, discovering how railways link remote communities to the rest of the country

Great British Railway Journeys -:- On his journey from Swindon to Penzance, Michael Portillo explores Torquay, where he meets meteorologist David Braine to find out whether the town is Britain's warmest spot. He then takes a trip on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, and spends the night at the Royal Castle Hotel in Dartmouth, where he learns about the town's naval past. After sailing up the River Dart he arrives in Totnes, and discovers the community's efforts to become more environmentally friendly

Great British Railway Journeys -:- On the final leg of his journey from Southampton to the West Midlands, Michael Portillo visits the spa town of Cheltenham, where he gets behind the wheel of a very early locomotive carriage that ran on the road. In Tewkesbury, he joins a group re-enacting a battle from the Wars of the Roses, before he reaches his final destination of Wolverhampton, where he hears how Queen Victoria made an emotional visit that signalled the end of her exile from public life after mourning Prince Albert

Great British Railway Journeys -:- On the final leg of his journey, Michael Portillo rediscovers a once-famous poet in Nottingham and travels on a railway line resurrected by popular demand after falling victim to Beeching's cuts. He finds out how Doncaster rail workers shaped British political history, before reaching his final destination of Leeds, where he auditions at Britain's oldest continuously working music hall

Great British Railway Journeys -:- On the next stage of his journey to Leeds, Michael Portillo sets off in Leicester, where he finds out about the hunt for Richard III's remains. Michael works his passage on the Great Central Railway from Rothley to Loughborough, where he learns about a family that has been casting bells in the town since 1839

Great British Railway Journeys -:- On the next stage of his journey to Wolverhampton, Michael Portillo visits Lacock Abbey near Chippenham in Wiltshire to find out how the world's first photographic negative was made. He then heads to Bristol Zoo, examines an extraordinary piece of Victorian engineering at Severn Tunnel Junction and ends the leg in Gloucester, where he meets a stonemason at the city's cathedral

Great British Railway Journeys -:- The next part of Michael Portillo's journey from London to Leeds begins in Northampton, where Victorian methods have been used to make shoes for more than 130 years. The ex-politician then heads to Warwickshire, learning about the legacy of Dr Thomas Arnold at Rugby School and finding out how Coventry's craftsmen learned to adapt to survive, before ending this leg of his trip in Nuneaton

Great British Railway Journeys -:- The next part of Michael Portillo's journey from Southampton to Wolverhampton begins in Wokingham, Berkshire, where the former politician finds out how demand from a growing number of rail commuters fuelled the development of the modern printing press. He then learns about a Tudor businessman who manufactured cloth in enormous volumes in Newbury, and ends this leg of his trip in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. Here, a local manufacturer describes how his Victorian forebears were the first in Britain to be licensed to vulcanise rubber

Great Continental Railway Journeys -:- Armed with his 1913 railway guide, Michael Portillo travels from the Swiss Alps to the shores of Lake Geneva. Along the way, he is caught up in a war zone with the Red Cross and rescued from an 'avalanche' by a St Bernard puppy. He takes to the skies in a vintage bi-plane to retrace the epic journey of the pioneering pilot who was first to fly over the Alps, and tries his hand at watchmaking, James Bond style

Great Continental Railway Journeys -:- Armed with his trusty 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo ventures east through Romania to the shores of the Black Sea. Along the way he encounters a bloodsucking vampire in Transylvania and brown bears in the Carpathian forest, before visiting a fairytale castle with modern conveniences in Sinaia, striking oil in Ploiesti, tapping into the nation's musical soul in Bucharest and loading cargo from a crane in Constanta. This leg of his journey ends at Constanta, where Michael explores what is now emerging as Europe's largest grain port

Great Continental Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on a Greek odyssey from the Athens port of Piraeus, north to the city of Thessaloniki, exploring the Acropolis and sampling moussaka and baklava on the way. He also discovers the parlous state of Greek finances at the time of his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, and learns how an aristocratic English poet became a Greek national hero

Great Continental Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo experiences first-hand Italy's 'need for speed' in a state-of-the-art Maserati sports car, and discovers how the leaning tower of Pisa was rescued from near collapse. In Carrara, he finds out how the marble used by Michelangelo is still being quarried and is invited to chip away at a contemporary sculpture. Moving on to Bologna, the former politician embarks on a doomed search for spaghetti bolognese before being taught how to prepare a tagliatelle al ragu. Finally, he lets the wind rush through his hair on a high-speed boat trip across Lake Garda

Great Continental Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo traces the early 20th-century roots of the Spanish Civil War, which divided his family and sent his father into exile. The former politician discovers a nation fractured at the time by social tensions and regional loyalties, which today offer a rich diversity of cultures to delight the tourist. After arriving in Majorca from Barcelona, Michael spoils himself enjoying spectacular scenic views aboard a 1912 vintage railway and a 1913 tram. He also gets trampled underfoot at the bottom of a Catalan 'people steeple' and learns to make the perfect paella

Great Continental Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo ventures deep into the Black Forest, where he discovers how Hansel and Gretel helped to unify the German nation. A masterclass in carving cuckoo clocks demonstrates how the nation's reputation for quality and reliability in manufacturing was established. Later, at Goettingen University, the former politician discovers two sides of student life at the turn of the 20th century - the duelling fraternities and the ground-breaking scientists who laid the foundation of Germany's world-class transport technology

Hijack (1999) -:- A rogue militia group hijacks a train with a prodigious senator on board, but count without the intervention of an ATF agent. Thriller, starring Jeff Fahey and Ernie Hudson

How Do They Do It? -:- How do they make an almost invisible hearing aid that connects wirelessly to your phone? And, how do they build the carriages for London's new underground railway?

How I Caught the Killer -:- After a badly decomposed body is found in a suitcase by a railway embankment in Exeter, police hunt for the killer with only CCTV evidence to go on

How It's Made -:- The manufacture of golf clubs, waffles, train wheels, and custom wires and cables

How It's Made -:- The manufacturing processes behind the creation of stile and rail doors, steam cleaners, hand-held pizzas and power brushes

How the West Was Won (1962) -:- Three generations of a pioneering family experience many ordeals and adventures in their endeavour to build a new life for themselves on the American frontier in the 19th century. Over the years, the family experiences the key events of the nation's history, including the gold rush, the Civil War, and the building of the railroads. Western, starring James Stewart, John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, Debbie Reynolds, Lee J Cobb and Richard Widmark

Impossible Railways -:- How some of our greatest railways have challenged engineering's finest minds in their efforts to conquer the planet's waterways, including a tunnel beneath the English Channel.

Impossible Railways -:- Since their rise in the 19th century, railways have been at the forefront of modern engineering and transport, conquering dizzying altitudes, wilderness, seas and cities

Japan Railway Journal -:- Discover the secrets of Japan's railways, from the newest technologies and systems in use to travel tips and must-see places.

Kicking and Screaming (2005) -:- An easy-going vitamin salesman volunteers to coach his son's failing little league football team in a bid to prove himself to his own competitive father, who trains a rival squad. But when bullying tactics and caffeine-fuelled aggression start to take over, he realises he shares the old man's ruthless qualities. Comedy, with Will Ferrell, Robert Duvall, Kate Walsh and Mike Ditka

King of the Wild Stallions (1959) -:- Rancher Martha Morse faces losing her home to a cruel landowner, but her devoted stable hand has a plan to save the day by claiming the reward offered for capturing an infamous wild horse. However, nobody knows that Martha's unsuspecting son has already befriended the animal and is trying to train it. Western, starring Diane Brewster and George Montgomery

Law of the Panhandle (1950) -:- A US marshal is sent to deal with a gang of outlaws terrorising the inhabitants of a peaceful valley. However, after witnessing the murder of a courier carrying secret papers, he discovers the bandits' crimes are part of a scheme to control the land where a railway is due to be built. Western, starring Johnny Mack Brown and Jane Adams

Life Below Zero -:- As winter fades Alaskans take their final shots to store supplies for the coming spring months, Glenn races to retrieve stored meat and haul it back to camp and Sue's need to blow off steam has dangerous consequences

Massive Engineering Mistakes -:- Experts and witnesses analyse a series of engineering disasters, including what happened when a Baltimore street collapsed onto a railroad

Murder By the Sea -:- Dismembered bodies of two women are both found in car boots, the first at a train station, the second in a city

My Strange Addiction -:- Featuring a woman who regularly eats detergent, and a man who is so obsessed with strongman competitions that he trains for up to six hours a day

Nate Is Late -:- Nate and Malika are offered a free ride on a ghost train which turns out to be a cover to train young monsters

Nate Is Late -:- Nate and Malika meet Jin, a ninja who offers to train them. In order to become a master, he needs to prove he has students. Curious to see a real secret dojo, the kids agree.

Oli Wyn -:- How the funicular railway in Aberystwyth works

Peppa Pig -:- Madame Gazelle takes Peppa and her friends on a train ride, where they must tick off what they see on their activity sheets

Power Players -:- Instead of resting, Axel drags Masko with him to train in the living room while Uncle Andrew is sleeping on the couch. When Orangutank attacks, the friends must fight back without making a sound!

Return of the Saint -:- 1970s British action series. A woman on a train claims that she saw a murder, leading Templar to a body hidden in a rusty tank.

Rizzoli & Isles -:- The duo put their personal differences aside as they investigate the murder of a college student whose body has been recovered from a steam tunnel. Meanwhile, Frankie Sr returns with news that proves upsetting for Angela. Crime drama, starring Angie Harmon, Sasha Alexander and Lorraine Bracco

Romance on the Orient Express (1985) -:- An American travelling by train from Venice to Paris bumps into her former lover, and the pair try to understand why their initial romance ended so abruptly. Romantic drama, starring Cheryl Ladd and Stuart Wilson

Salvage Hunters -:- Drew Pritchard barters with a baronet and is given a run for his money by a seasoned scavenger. He also seeks a way to profit from a collection of late 19th-century balconet rails he has acquired

Salvage Hunters -:- Drew Pritchard heads to Scotland to see a Victorian theatre in Aberdeen and the remote town of Rothes. Plus, sidekick Tee shows him how to do a deal at a steam railway in Devon

Salvage Hunters -:- In Sheffield, Drew Pritchard finds a stunning collection of antique cutler's stools. Later, he heads to Leeds where he finds some rare streetlights at a heritage railway and museum

Salvage Hunters -:- In Sussex, modern-day treasure hunter Drew Pritchard has some incredible luck when he is offered first pick of a shop packed full of French items. Then in Kent, he's invited behind the scenes of a historic railway

Salvage Hunters -:- Modern day treasure hunter Drew Pritchard visits a heritage railway in Minehead, Somerset, where he finds a fantastic selection of pieces. The highlight of the trip is a ride in the cab of a vintage steam train

Scrap Kings -:- An office block next to a railway line is demolished. Meanwhile, the turbine hall of Rugeley power station is blown up and there is a problem with a rickshaw

Seconds from Disaster -:- An investigation into the 1999 Paddington train crash that killed 31 people, asking who was to blame and whether the accident could have been avoided

Secrets of the Underground -:- A legendary train filled with stolen Nazi gold is said to be hidden in Poland. Rob and Stefan explore deep under the earth's surface to uncover the truth

Swamp People -:- As aggressive alligators close in on the swamp, Troy and Pickle chase a bulldozing monster called Freight Train before it rips the bayou to shreds

Tales of the Unexpected -:- A man is haunted by an unhappy childhood and taunted by school bullies - and a stranger on a train could be responsible for his misery. Drama, starring John Mills and Anthony Steel

The Architecture the Railways Built -:- Tim Dunn explores railway ingenuity at Goole swing bridge in Yorkshire and takes in Edinburgh Waverley from roof to underground vaults

The Architecture the Railways Built -:- Tim Dunn has the rare privilege of seeing a striking post war Coventry station, through the eyes of its architect, 96 year-old Derrick Shorten

The Bidding Room -:- Five dealers compete to buy items including a collection of printing plates, a retro Olivetti typewriter and a toy steam engine. Presented by Nigel Havers

The Big Bang Theory -:- Leonard and Howard attempt to distract Sheldon with a trip to a historic railway when he slows the progress of their work on the Air Force guidance system. Raj and Stuart look after baby Halley, while Penny and Amy take Bernadette out

The Big Bang Theory -:- Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj discover actress Summer Glau is on their train while travelling to San Francisco. Desperate to discuss the Terminator TV series with her, the friends devise a number of plans to engage her in conversation. With Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar

The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) -:- The son of a disgraced medieval nobleman is raised in poverty. With the support of a kindly earl, he gains the chance to train as a knight and reclaim his birthright, proving his worth by fighting to foil a plot to overthrow the king. Swashbuckling adventure, starring Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, David Farrar and Barbara Rush

The Flying Scotsman (1929) -:- A young crew member on the famous train must foil his bitter predecessor's attempt at sabotage. Silent thriller, starring Ray Milland and Pauline Johnson

The Footage Detectives -:- A nostalgic reminder of hop picking on holidays in Kent. Plus, the shortest railway in the west and memories of Woolworths

The Hairy Bikers' Pubs That Built Britain -:- Dave heads to the valleys of south Wales, where he uncovers the history of various establishments and unearths pubs that were at the heart of the area's coal mining communities. Along the way, he journeys underground to the coal face to find out what life was like, meets an award-winning choir, and drives a steam train with a pub at the end of its line

The Protectors -:- Harry finds himself chatting to a poetic fellow traveller while on a train from Edinburgh, completely unaware his companion is an assassin

The Railway Man (2013) -:- A traumatised former prisoner of war gets married, but continues to suffer nightmares about his experiences. He is unable to talk to his wife about his time in captivity, so she tracks down a fellow hostage to learn the truth - and discovers the cruel Japanese officer he is fixated on is still alive. Fact-based drama, starring Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman and Stellan Skarsgard

The Railways That Built Britain with Chris Tarrant -:- Chris examines the devastating impact of the Beeching report, which led to half the country's stations and almost a third of the lines being closed. He also looks at how the railways were reinvented for the modern age, and how a sleek new locomotive not only saved the railway network, but reshaped the country

The Railways That Built Britain with Chris Tarrant -:- The broadcaster examines how trains transformed the nation and shaped modern Britain. He begins in the cab of Puffing Billy, the world's oldest-surviving steam locomotive, which was built in 1813 and designed to move coal along a five-mile stretch of track from a Northumberland mine to the docks. Chris also tells the story of Henry Booth, who not only championed George Stephenson's famous Rocket, but also helped finance it, and talks about the work of the navvies who dug the tunnels and laid the tracks

The Railways That Built Britain with Chris Tarrant -:- The broadcaster examines the role of the railways during the two global conflicts of the 20th century, keeping vital supply lines open and transporting troops to and from the front. In the First World War, railway works were converted into munitions factories and women were employed for these dangerous jobs and their heroic efforts helped win them the vote, while in the Second World War, they were vital in organising the evacuation of a million children and offered underground shelters from air raids

The Repair Shop -:- Stained glass expert Matthew Nickels pieces together a damaged glass picture window depicting a colourful boat at sea. Made by the owner's late father, it has a great deal of sentimental value. Meanwhile, leather expert Suzie Fletcher turns her attention to three iconic leather sling back Les Arcs chairs desperately in need of some love and attention to make them usable again. Plus, Steve Fletcher brings a German-made toy steam roller from the 1930s back to life

The Train Robbers (1973) -:- A thief's grieving widow persuades a gunslinger to help her find a cache of her husband's stolen gold and return it to the rightful owners. However, a group of Mexican bandits and a mysterious stranger are also after the loot. Western, starring John Wayne, Ann-Margret, Rod Taylor and Ben Johnson

Train Cruise -:- Train rides provide panoramas of landscapes and lifestyles, with opportunities to hop off and meet the people. The tracks run to well-known and less-explored parts of Japan.

Train Truckers -:- A cherished wartime iron workhorse needs to be hauled 160 miles from the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire to a winter extravaganza in Oxfordshire

Train Truckers -:- In Shropshire a Great Western Railway 'Modified Hall' steam engine and its tender is being taken out of service as it needs a safety inspection

Travel Man: 48 Hours In -:- Crystal Maze presenter Richard Ayoade returns with the offbeat tourism show and is joined in the first edition by comedian and Room 101 host Frank Skinner for a short break in Switzerland's largest city. Their two-day break in Zurich features trips to a football museum and the Cabaret Voltaire, which was the birthplace of the Dada art movement, while they also go on the steepest funicular railway in the world, pay homage to the Swiss army knife and go for a pedalo ride on Lake Zurich

Unstoppable (2010) -:- A driverless train carrying a deadly cargo of toxic chemicals goes out of control. A veteran train operator and his rookie colleague set off in pursuit in their own locomotive, intending to bring it to a halt before it crashes and causes a major disaster. Action thriller, the final film from director Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson

Whale Rider (2002) -:- A Maori girl abandoned by her father after her mother's death is raised by her grandfather Koro, the tribal chief. The departure of his own son leaves Koro without a male heir, so he begins to train the local boys to determine who will be worthy of the honour - but his grand-daughter is determined to prove she can take up the reins of power. Drama, with Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene and Vicky Haughton

Whispering Smith (1948) -:- A government agent working on the railroad investigates a string of train robberies, and is stunned to discover one of the culprits is an old friend. The situation is complicated by the detective's feelings for the bandit's wife. Detective Western, starring Alan Ladd, Robert Preston and Brenda Marshall

World's Funniest Videos -:- Hilarious video clips. A countdown in which it might be best to keep your hands inside the vehicle at all times, as we ride the rails, go hunting, and experience unexpected stops.

World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys -:- A 500-mile journey across South Africa in a luxury hotel train, which travels between Pretoria and Durban on the coast over the course of three days. The first stop along the way is Nambiti Private Game Reserve, home to rhinos and elephants, before moving on to the country's most famous battlefields and the Drakensberg Mountains. Passengers have a chance to explore the ancient art of the San people and visit a vineyard that produces some of South Africa's finest wines. Narrated by Bill Nighy

World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys -:- Bill Nighy narrates a journey that starts at Tirano and climbs up through the Italian Alps and lakes through into Switzerland, taking in the Landwasser Viaduct. At Disentis, the train track changes to a cog railway as the gradient gets steeper, and a much bigger engine is added to climb the steep mountain route. The journey then reaches its conclusion at Zermatt, sitting at the base of the majestic Matterhorn

World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys -:- Bill Nighy narrates a trip through Wales' highest peaks and deepest valleys. Starting in Pwllheli in the north west, the route heads along the lines that were built during the slate industry's heyday. At Porthmadog, the journey briefly switches to the reconstructed steam trains of the Welsh Highland National Heritage Railway to Minffordd station. Nearby is the village of Portmeirion, famous for its role in the classic TV series The Prisoner. Rejoining the Cambrian Line, local farmers reveal what the railway means to them, before the route takes in the seaside resort of Aberdovey

World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys -:- Bill Nighy narrates the stories of epic train journeys through stunning scenery and natural beauty, beginning with a trip from Inverness to Edinburgh. Not long after setting out, the route passes Culloden, the site of the last pitched battle on British soil. It then enters the Cairngorms National Park, home to some of Europe's finest landscapes as well as valleys steeped in Gaelic folklore. The park's station at Aviemore is home to the Strathspey Railway, where Victorian steam locomotives come to life. There is then a climb to the highest point on Britain's railway network before the train winds its way through Fife. Eventually the route crosses the Forth Bridge before arriving in Scottish capital Edinburgh, admired for its architecture and annual arts festival. Narrated by Bill Nighy

World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys -:- In Norway, camera follow a train journey that begins in the capital Oslo and heads all the way to Bodo inside the Arctic Circle. The first leg is the Dovre line, running from to the remote northern wonderland of Trondheim. Along the way it passes through the vast Gudbrandsdal valley and across the awe-inspiring Dovrefjell mountain plateau. The route stops at the picturesque mountain village of Dombas, before changing to the Rauma railway, which features dramatic fjords opening out along the Rauma river, dotted with some of the country's most famous landmarks. Narrated by Bill Nighy

You Have Been Warned -:- Turns the spotlight on inventors who build astonishing creations in their homes - including a precision drone-catcher that transforms into a vacuum-powered railway

Yr Ysgol -:- The gang from Llanrug and Sant Curig play with all sorts of vehicles, and Emily goes on a steam train

SMALL PRINT

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