RAILDATE 2023.05.12

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    Credits

    Thank you to this week's contributors.

    The Weekly Poser: Where is this?

    Back in the UK this week: Just a week ago, I was underneath a railway bridge that has been widened considerably on both sides. Located somewhere in the Midlands, the tracks above are in full use. Where is it?

    Last week's Where is this?

    A unique narrow gauge line in central Europe. Where is it?

    Answer: Budapest, Hungary. Congratulations are due to the following for their correct answers: Paul Hopper, Peter Tisdale, Tony Harker.

    The Children's Railway was commissioned by the Hungarian communist government in 1948 specifically to be operated by Young Pioneers. It is located in the hills above Buda, and reachable at each end via the city's tram network. The 11km of scenic railway was completed in 1950 at a gauge of 760mm and has been operated largely by 10-14 year olds with adult supervision ever since.

    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]

    999 Rescue Squad -:- A truck driver is trapped in his crushed cab after a motorway smash, while in Hull, firefighters handcuff a man to the rails of the Humber Bridge to stop him from jumping

    999 Rescue Squad -:- Paramedic Kim climbs into a crushed car balanced over a fast-flowing river, while services across the Pennines are paralysed when a man plunges from a bridge onto a busy rail line

    Agatha Christie's Poirot -:- The sleuth finds himself in interesting company as English socialites and American millionaires rub shoulders on board a train bound for the French Riviera. Passengers include oil magnate Rufus Van Aldin (Elliott Gould) and his daughter Ruth (Jaime Murray) - to whom he has given a magnificent ruby known as the Heart of Fire. With members of the aristocracy crammed into a confined space with their husbands, lovers and a renowned gemstone, murder cannot be far away. With Lindsay Duncan, Roger Lloyd Pack and James D'Arcy

    Air Crash Investigation -:- Investigators make a shocking discovery that threatens Russia's aviation system when a plane crashes onto the trans-Siberian railway, leaving all 88 people on board dead

    Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks -:- When Alvin and Eleanor train to be lifeguards, Theodore is passed over but later manages to save the day.

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

    American Pickers -:- The guys make off with a bulging bounty of cool signs when they pick an old train caboose in the Californian mountains

    Antiques Road Trip -:- Philip Serrell has a ride on a replica steam vehicle as he and Catherine Southon travel along the Cornish coastline in search of more antique bargains

    Arctic Ice Railroad -:- Conductor Jay and engineer Mike are tasked with transporting fuel to a remote community. Can they overcome intense blizzards to deliver this vital cargo?

    Arctic Ice Railroad -:- The Polar Bear Express is often the only way to reach the frozen town of Moosonee. A group of explorers board this train for its hazardous journey

    Arena -:- In 1979, Bob Dylan released Slow Train Coming, an album of strictly devotional songs and declared he had found God in Christianity. For the following two years, accompanied by the finest musicians and gospel singers, he toured with a repertoire solely of songs expressing his new-found faith.This is a film of one of those performances, enhanced by a series of sermons between the songs, all specially written for the film and preached by Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon. The result is Bob Dylan's gospel service combining the 'then' of the gig with the 'now' of the message of The Preacher

    Bakugan Legends -:- As the Awesome Brawlers train for the Battle Judgement, they learn of a new Core - the Nova Core! Dan and Drago use its mysterious new powers against an unexpected opponent.

    Bullet Train Down (2022) -:- On its maiden run, the world's fastest bullet train is rigged with a bomb that will explode if it dips below 200 mph. Action thriller, starring Lesley Grant

    Caught Red Handed -:- A series of crimes drives businesses off the rails in Devon, and a snooker club barman turns detective when two strangers come in and steal money meant for a charity

    Classic Mary Berry -:- The food writer demonstrates a range of recipes using produce from Britain's farms and gardens, from a pasta inspired by a classic French herb sauce, to a perfect way to partner asparagus, and her own version of a classic tarte Tatin. She also travels on one of the Watercress Line's 19th-century steam trains, where she leaves the stove to help fire up the 300-ton engine

    Coastal Railways with Julie Walters -:- The actress travels around the UK coast by train, beginning by boarding the famous Jacobite steam train for a trip along Scotland's West Highland Railway, famously featured in the Harry Potter movies. Along the way, Julie learns about herring gutting and blowing up railway lines, and meets a traditional Scottish storyteller on the Isle of Skye

    Coastal Railways with Julie Walters -:- The actress travels from Newcastle to Edinburgh by high speed train. Along the way, she stops off at the coastal town of Alnmouth, discovers where the phrase Keep Calm and Carry On originated, visits the world's biggest gannet colony, and goes out to sea with a lobster breeder. When she reaches her destination, she discovers the connection between the railway and the famous Balmoral Hotel

    Dealbh is Slighe -:- Calum sets out on an electric bicycle trying to locate an abandoned train tunnel near Peebles for his photo opportunity

    Doctors -:- Karen's new exercise regime causes a stir at the Mill, while Scarlett's plan to do a runner is placed in jeopardy when a call is received from the landlady. Fearing that her widowed mother is going off the rails, a woman turns to Jimmi for help, though he is left to wonder what is actually going on

    Eggheads -:- Jeremy Vine hosts as Strangers on a Train try their luck against the Eggheads to win the rolling prize fund

    Family Guy -:- Peter tries to rebuild a dispirited Joe's self-confidence by helping him train for the decathlon at the Paralympics - a daunting task made easier by the occasional discreet dose of steroids. Meanwhile, Stewie, Chris and Meg argue over $26 they find at a charity car wash

    Father Brown -:- Lady Felicia and Mrs McCarthy are taken hostage when a midnight train robbery goes awry. Crime drama based on the stories by GK Chesterton, starring Sorcha Cusack and Nancy Carroll

    FourWheeler -:- Ian Johnson brings back the Suzuki Samurai for an old-fashioned engine swap. He upgrades it with a common rail VW diesel engine from a wrecked vehicle.

    Fred Dibnah's Age of Steam -:- An examination of the major advances made with the invention of the steam turbine, which is still used today to generate electricity in coal-fired and nuclear power stations. Fred also discovers how the country's steam heritage is preserved by museums and societies throughout the country

    Fred Dibnah's Age of Steam -:- Fred looks at early experiments in the use of steam for road transport, more than 100 years before the invention of the petrol engine. Plus, an insight into the development of the traction engine for agriculture and haulage

    Fred Dibnah's Age of Steam -:- The development of the steamship, from the earliest paddle boats and the first iron-hulled vessels to modern sport screw propellers and ships powered by steam turbines, such as the Royal Yacht Britannia

    Fred Dibnah's Age of Steam -:- The revolution in transport brought about by steam power, charting the technology's development from the earliest colliery railways, through the first passenger train services and to the end of an era in the 1960s

    Fred Dibnah's Age of Steam -:- The steeplejack takes a look at the extraordinary expansion of industrial Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the continued use of huge steam engines in collieries, steelworks and mills in the 20th century

    Frontline Fightback -:- An incident in which a train driver suffered facial injuries after a brick was hurled at his cab, shattering the window. The train was travelling at 70mph, but the driver managed to bring it safely to a standstill, despite his injuries. Rav Wilding reports on how attacks like this have prompted one train company to start installing on-board technology, aimed at making journeys safer for passengers and staff

    Garage Rehab -:- Richard has just a week to finish the renovation of a non-profit garage that trains veterans. In order to get the job done in time, he decides to fly in a friend to help out

    Gino's Italian Escape -:- For the next leg of his journey, Gino D'Acampo boards an old steam train run by ex-railroad men and volunteers which takes him through the beautiful Tuscan countryside. His first stop is the town of Asciano, where locals try to compete with Siena's famous Palio horse race - only here they ride donkeys. Then it's on to the Chianti region where he visits a vineyard where they don't only make wine, but they also bathe in it too, an ancient tradition dating back to Roman times. After a luxurious wine bath, Gino cooks up a dish fit for any Emperor - farfalle pasta with funghi and spinach

    Gino's Italian Escape -:- Gino D'Acampo visits the jewel of the Italian Riviera - the Cinque Terre - five towns that are only accessible by boat or train. He begins in the smallest town, Corniglia, where he meets an opera-singing florist, before hopping on the train to Manarola and the dry-stone wallers responsible for keeping the towns from crumbling into the sea. As he heads toward the end, he also heading to Vernazza, Gino meets wine producers who scale 1,000m above sea level to tend to their vines

    Gold Divers -:- When the temperature plummets to a new season low, Shawn fights frozen ground with steam heat. Kris's hot plan to beat the cold fizzles quickly and Vernon gambles on a new spot

    Great American Railroad Journeys -:- In Montreal, Michael Portillo discovers how French and British colonial roots have influenced the city's construction, cuisine and culture. Undaunted by his guidebook's description of the treacherous Lachine Rapids, the one-time MP gets a thorough soaking on a white-knuckle boat ride down the St. Lawrence River. In the Canadian capital, Ottawa, Michael visits the country's parliament to hear about the birth of the new nation after Confederation in 1867. And at Ottawa's historic Central Experimental Farm, Michael hears of the pioneering discoveries, which launched a Canadian wheat boom

    Great American Railroad Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues to explore Alaska, from the remote former goldrush settlement of Talkeetna to the railwayless state capital, Juneau. Along the way, he helps a homesteader fell a tree to clear land for a log cabin, discovers how 100 years ago photographers captured the beauty of the Alaskan landscape and meets scientists studying the Northern Lights

    Great American Railroad Journeys -:- Michael Portillo examines the history of the American rail network, using Appleton's General Guide to the United States and Canada of 1879 to plot his course. He begins on Manhattan Island and travels from Grand Central Terminal to the site of Ground Zero

    Great American Railroad Journeys -:- Michael Portillo leaves the tracks for a nautical pilgrimage through the Thousand Islands, visiting Fort Henry in the port city of Kingston, Ontario, and learning about the antics of 19th-century high-wire walker the Great Farini in Port Hope. He then heads to Oshawa to look around the home of the McLaughlin family, who helped build a new economy for Canada, before his journey across Canada concludes in Toronto

    Great American Railroad Journeys -:- Michael Portillo returns to explore more of the US rail network, embarking on the first leg of a journey across Alaska. He begins his journey amid the snow-capped mountains of the Kenal Peninsula, where he discovers that 150 years ago, Alaska was a Russian colony. Moving on, in Seward he feeds a rescued sea otter with a fearsome bite and in Anchorage he joins the US Arctic Warriors for parachute training

    Great American Railroad Journeys -:- Michael Portillo's rail voyage continues through Connecticut heading north through the scenic New England states. In New Haven, a crash course in rowing takes place on a stretch of water where college teams from Yale and Harvard have battled for victory since 1852. Making tracks north to Vermont, Michael experiences 19th-century rural farm life, when its green pastures made it the butter capital of the world

    Great American Railroad Journeys -:- The next leg of Michael Portillo's journey begins in Skagway, Alaska, where he learns about writer Jack London, one of the gold prospectors who hiked to the Klondike 100 years ago. He then crosses into Canada on the White Pass and Yukon railway. Along the way he is invited to shake his tail feathers in a grouse dance, heads for the home of the Vancouver Giants, tries his hand at ice hockey and visits the Canadian Motion Picture Park

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- At Trinity College, Dublin, Michael Portillo discovers one of Ireland's greatest treasures, and also explores the house and gardens of Powerscourt in County Wicklow

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Beginning in the heart of academia in Oxford, Michael Portillo visits the Bodleian library to see some Victorian treasures, including Mary Shelley's Frankenstein manuscript and a pocket-sized edition of Bradshaw's Companion. At Bicester, he investigates two new rail projects, finds out about Victorian philanthropy in Bedford and finishes in Luton, where he explores the dark arts of the hat-maker

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- In East Yorkshire, Michael Portillo goes bird-watching on the cliffs of Flamborough Head before travelling to Filey in North Yorkshire, where he learns to decipher traditional knitting patterns. He then continues his journey to the Victorian seaside resort of Scarborough, and views a 4,000-year-old skeleton called Gristhorpe Man

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo arrives in Croydon, where he hears the story of a mixed-race composer who was once celebrated but is now forgotten. At Three Bridges station, he is delighted to find a recently built depot and its fleet of new Class 700 trains - and is given the great honour of washing one down. In Lewes, he makes a beeline for Charleston, the home of artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, and in Shoreham-by-Sea, Michael discovers how magnificent Edwardians in flying machines took off from the oldest licensed airport in the country

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo begins a journey across Ireland, starting in the port of Wexford, where he takes to the seas in a 100-year-old lifeboat and discovers a hero of the American navy

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo begins in the ruinous gardens at Aberglasney House near Llandeilo before riding shotgun in the driver's cab on one of the most scenic routes in Britain. Over the border in Leominster, Herefordshire, he steps out onto the dance floor at the Lion Hotel Ballroom, where a grand ball was held to celebrate the opening of the Ludlow to Hereford railway, and finishes this leg of his journey at a traditional cider house in Hereford

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo begins the fourth leg of his journey from Derby to Lindisfarne in Middlesbrough, visiting one of the last iron foundries in the town and helping cast a carrot valve for a steam engine. His next stop is Darlington, Co Durham, where he meets the editor of the Northern Echo and finds out about the colourful history of WT Stead, one of his predecessors. Michael then heads to St Paul's monastery in Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, to learn about eighth-century monk the Venerable Bede, known as 'the father of English history', before finishing in Hexham, Northumberland, where he visits a historic ginger beer emporium

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo begins this leg of his journey in the East Yorkshire town of Hessle, where he learns about the technology that made the Humber Bridge possible. In nearby Hull, Michael hears from local MP Alan Johnson about anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce, before travelling to Scarborough Castle, where the founder of the Quaker movement was once imprisoned. His last stop of the day is York, where he learns what made the city a centre for the sweet-making industry

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo begins underground at Big Pit coal mine in Blaenavon, where he discovers how Victorians toiled night and day to power the Industrial Revolution. On the River Usk, he learns about 19th-century developments in angling before heading to Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire - once the scene of a farm labourers' dispute that ended in rioting. Michael concludes this leg of his journey at Blenheim Palace

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues his Irish journey from Dromod to Sligo. Along the way he discovers how the landscape inspired the poet WB Yeats and learns to make a potato pancake

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues his journey across Ireland, travelling from Navan to Mullingar. Along the way, he gets up to speed with modern archaeology in County Meath, where he uncovers a controversial Victorian dig at the sacred Hill of Tara. Later, he investigates leaping salmon in Leixslip, and in Mullingar, bangs the drum for the town's traditional marching band

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues his journey following George Bradshaw's footsteps, as the third leg of his trip from Preston to Kirkcaldy sees him embarking on a two-day tour of the Lake District. He begins in Windermere, where he travels by steamboat to the north of the lake, and continues to Claife viewing station, where he learns about the water pollution caused by increasing levels of tourism. He spends the night in Grasmere, and the following day reaches Kendal, where he buys local delicacies and meets a farmer who explains the impact of railways on farming practices

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues his journey from Derby to Lindisfarne, with this leg beginning in Boston, south Lincolnshire, where he explores the connection between the town and its American namesake. At Southwell, Nottinghamshire, he discovers the origins of a favourite Victorian apple before heading into West Yorkshire to visit an imposing institution built in Menston to provide asylum for those with mental health issues. In nearby Wakefield, Michael boards one of Britain's least frequent services, before heading to Hensall, North Yorkshire

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues his journey inspired by George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. He searches for the last liquorice grower in Pontefract, finds out how the railways transformed Hull into one of the largest white-fish ports in the world, and goes fishing for sea bass in Bridlington

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo continues his journey, travelling on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey steam railway, finding out about Roman discoveries in York, and taking to the air in the Network Rail helicopter

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on a new journey following his Bradshaw's handbook from south-west Wales to Cambridge, beginning in Pembroke Dock, where Queen Victoria's royal yachts were built. In the little market town of Naberth he investigates what caused rebels to dress up as women, later spending the night at an inn in Carmarthen where Horatio Nelson once met Emma Hamilton. Next day, the former politician pitches in with the volunteers who look after the Gwili Heritage line and ends his leg in Swansea, where he learns how to pose for a photograph in Victorian style

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on a new journey following his Bradshaw's handbook from the heart of the industrial East Midlands to the island of Lindisfarne off the coast of Northumberland. On the first leg, he gives an old engine a fresh start in the railway hub of Derby, heads to Nottingham to find out about the Victorian origins of a well-known high-street chemist and calls at a historic one-time grocer's shop in Grantham, Lincolnshire

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on his final journey in London, exploring Albertopolis in south Kensington and reaching dizzying heights inside a Victorian landmark. At Vauxhall, he learns about the darker side of London's flower market in Bradshaw's day and ends at London Bridge, where two stations are becoming one and a new concourse is being built

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on the final leg of his journey following the route of the North Country Continental service. Along the way he meets volunteers on the Mid-Suffolk Light railway and is permitted to drive 'The Middy'. In Leiston, Michael uncovers the world's first purpose-built assembly line, while in Ipswich the work of a young Victorian engineering prodigy impresses the ex-politician. At his destination of Harwich the presenter discovers how the port became a gateway to the continent, only to be superseded by a new deep-water port further inland

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on the second leg of his journey from Preston to Kirkcaldy, returning to the historic Settle-Carlisle line he helped save from dereliction when he was Minister of State for Transport in the 1980s. Here, engineer Tony Feshini describes what life was like for the people who originally built Ribblehead Viaduct, before Michael visits Dent, Cumbria, home to the highest railway station in England

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo embarks on train journeys through Edwardian Britain, exploring the grand estates of Norfolk and a bivouac on Brownsea Island on the way. He also learns the ropes aboard an Edwardian wherry on the Norfolk Broads

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo explores an Edwardian utopia in Letchworth, where he meets a fourth generation citizen who introduces him to the town's community spirit. He then heads towards London, and discovers a favoured haunt of King Edward VII, before sampling the monarch's favourite tipple, the King's Ginger

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo heads to London's West End as he explores 19th-century engineering used in theatres, and learns about the ambitious building programme that saw Trafalgar Square replace slums. He indulges in some retail therapy at a Piccadilly Circus perfumery patronised by kings, queens and prime ministers, and finds out how diseases were rife in Victorian London on a visit to Soho

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo sets off from Newcastle on the final leg of his journey from Derby to Lindisfarne, finding out about the world's earliest swing bridge and its inventor William Armstrong. He also travels by boat from the port of Seahouses to examine the story of lighthouse keeper's daughter Grace Darling, who, along with her father, rescued nine people from tumultuous seas in 1838. On the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Michael explores the lime kilns and finds out how Christianity spread from here across northern England in the 7th century

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo sets off from Oakham in Rutland, where he learns about a noble tradition dating back to the Middle Ages and decides to take part. Heading east to Stamford, Lincolnshire, he discovers why the town is such an attractive location for period dramas, while a ghoulish scene awaits in Peterborough when he visits a Victorian operating theatre where railwaymen were treated. Michael's last stop on his journey is Christ's College at Cambridge University, where he finds out about the student days of Charles Darwin

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- 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, he comes face to face with the Victorian scientist who invented modern atomic theory. The latest stage ends at Silkstone Common, where he tracks down the forge where a Victorian metallurgist created wrought iron axles strong enough for railway rolling stock

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo travels from Gainsborough to Ely, along the way learning about a Victorian machine that changed shopping for ever and the poet Alfred Tennyson

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook to discover how the railways have affected people and find out what remains of Bradshaw's Britain. He begins in Liverpool by learning to speak Scouse, before researching the first railway fatality and exploring the origins of the Eccles cake

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- Michael starts his journey in Chapeltown, Sheffield, following what was once known as the North Country Continental service, and finishing in the engineering centre of Doncaster

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- On the first leg of his second journey, Michael Portillo heads to Kirkcaldy in Fife, finding out along the way how the mill town of Preston in Lancashire gave birth to the Temperance Movement. In Blackpool, he enjoys a performance in the Tower Ballroom and discovers the railways had a direct impact on the town's birth as a resort. After a stroll along the pier with local comedian Joey Blower, Michael visits Morecambe Bay

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- On the last leg of Michael Portillo's long journey from Wexford to Westport, a fashionable Victorian seaweed bath is followed by a steamy scene in Ballina. On tenterhooks in Foxford, Michael discovers the visionary charity of an entrepreneurial nun, learns of a double tragedy at Clew Bay and begins a pilgrimage to the summit of Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain

    Great British Railway Journeys -:- The second leg of Michael Portillo's journey from Liverpool to Scarborough takes him from Manchester to Bury. Along the way, he finds out about the life of Victorian train enthusiast George Bradshaw, gets fitted for a trilby hat in Denton, and learns how railways helped contribute to the nation's love affair with fish and chips

    Great Indian Railway Journeys -:- On a journey from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata in West Bengal, Michael Portillo charts a course through India's history from the days of The East India Company to the dawn of independence. In Lucknow, he tastes the famous kebabs, stops off at Bodh Gaya, where he meditates on its Buddhist heritage, and In Kolkata, he glimpses colonial Calcutta in the grand Great Eastern Hotel

    Great Railway Journeys -:- Victoria Wood makes a round trip of northern England and Scotland starting at Crewe. She visits Carnforth Station, where David Lean shot the memorable location scenes in Brief Encounter, takes a sleeper train from Glasgow to Fort William and stops off at a railway museum in an enthusiast's back garden

    Heartbeat -:- Mike plans to marry Jackie in secret, but the search for an armed train robber threatens to keep him from getting to the church on time. Meanwhile, Greengrass faces another kind of crisis _ his charismatic sister Isabelle turns up in Aidensfield, and proves to be more than a match for him. Judy Cornwell guest stars

    Heir Hunters -:- The probate researchers take on the challenging task of finding the heir to a £200,000 fortune, and unearth the story of a tragic accident on the London, Midland and Scottish Railways in the process. Plus, a surprising family secret is uncovered in a case that took a team almost 20 years to solve

    Heroes of the Skies -:- Michael Ashcroft explores president Franklin D Roosevelt's Second World War scheme to train African-Americans as fighter pilots. Racial prejudice had seen these recruits barred from securing important positions in the US Army, and they were still largely sidelined even after Roosevelt's programme began - until in June 1944 they were called on to protect Allied bombers conducting key raids over Germany. The pilots, known as the Tuskegee Airmen after their training base in Alabama, faced opponents with far superior machinery - but their heroic feats helped to turn the tide in one of the war's most significant aerial battles

    Hornby: A Model World -:- Simon and Montana attempt the hard sell at The Dorset Steam Fair, whilst designer Steve takes on the challenge of replicating one of the world's newest trains

    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 -:- Investigating how rock crushers, fabric lampshades, cake sprinkles and steam irons are made

    How It's Made -:- The development processed behind the creation of carbon fibre, railcar movers and hood ornaments. Plus, the techniques used in antique frame restoration

    How It's Made -:- The manufacture of train rails, desalinated water, racing wheelchairs and parquet flooring

    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

    How Trains Changed the World -:- A look at how trains transformed the battlefield - from huge railway guns and hospital trains to those used to take victims to death camps

    How Trains Changed the World -:- Intended as an efficient, economical way of moving freight, the emergence of express trains revolutionised society with the demand for fast travel

    How Trains Changed the World -:- The world's 10 busiest metro systems carry more than 22 billion passengers every year. This programme examines the ways the train commute has shaped cities and changed the world

    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.

    Japan Railway Journal -:- In 2022, 13 new trains made their debut in Japan. With eye-catching and distinctive designs, many of them are environmentally and user-friendly. Join us as we review Japan's latest trains and trends.

    Kentucky Rifle (1956) -:- A wagon train carrying a shipment of rifles must make a perilous journey through hostile territory occupied by the Comanche Indians, who have their eyes on the guns. Western, starring Chill Wills and Lance Fuller

    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

    Last Passenger (2013) -:- A widowed doctor travelling by train with his son realises that the mysterious driver has cut the brakes and they are speeding toward a fatal collision. With the aid of four of his fellow passengers, they try to find a way to avert the disaster. Thriller, starring Dougray Scott, Kara Tointon and Lindsay Duncan

    Lloyd of the Flies -:- An animated series about a young fly with a lot to prove. Having written a book on the subject, Gena agrees to train Lloyd in how to survive outdoors, but Lloyd is disappointed to discover that all the training is to take place indoors.

    Man of the West (1958) -:- Reformed outlaw Link is left stranded in the wilderness with a saloon singer and a conman for company when the train they are travelling on is robbed. By chance they stumble upon Link's old gang holed up in a shack, but his former partners in crime threaten violence against them unless Link agrees to take part in a bank robbery. Western, starring Gary Cooper, Lee J Cobb, Julie London and Arthur O'Connell

    Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing -:- Cameras follow old friends Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer as they continue on their angling trip round the UK. This time, Paul and Bob fish the river Wensum in Norfolk for roach, but as the pair struggle up and down the riverbanks, they begin to realise how age is starting to take its toll on their physicality. After staying overnight in a disused train station and visiting a local pub, the pair decide to challenge each other to a fishing competition the following day, where the winner gets a very special culinary treat

    Murder, She Wrote -:- Three people claim the body of an unidentified man who is discovered dead on a railway line in an attempt to cash in on the will. Whodunit, guest starring Bryan Cranston, with Angela Lansbury

    Murdoch Mysteries -:- After brake failure causes a train derailment, Ogden and Brackenreid find a murdered passenger and suspect sabotage

    Mysteries at the Museum -:- Don Wildman investigates a railroad bomber, a bizarre animal experiment and an ancient murder

    Mystic -:- Issie gets a new vision of Mystic running through the forest along an old railway track, and wonders if this might be the clue that will lead her to Blaze's herd. After some encouragement, Issie decides to ride out on Blaze to find the tracks, and Caroline, Caleb, Dan and Natasha join her on the mission. As they journey deeper into the forest, past their favourite swimming hole, the kids make a series of bewildering discoveries and eventually realise they're completely and utterly lost. With one of the gang's future ambitions at stake, they face a race against time to get back to the stables. Despite their best efforts to hide what happened, the consequences of their mission have serious consequences for them all as Tom presents the group with a difficult dilemma. Who will be able to ride in the Cross-Country Trials?

    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

    Night Mail (1936) -:- Harry Watt and Basil Wright's documentary following the mail train to Scotland from London, accompanied by Pat Jackson reading WH Auden's rhyming verse and a score composed by Benjamin Britten

    Night Train to Lisbon (2013) -:- An academic impulsively pursues a woman he met by chance, leading to him abandoning his job to follow her to Lisbon. On the journey, he reads a book belonging to her, and is inspired by the philosopher who wrote it. He sets out to track down everyone who knew the author to discover the story of his life. Drama based on Pascal Mercier's novel, starring Jeremy Irons and Melanie Laurent

    Noddy: Toyland Detective -:- Everyone in Toyland is looking forward to a day out, only for the train to set off down the tracks without any passengers

    Once Upon a Texas Train (1987) -:- Ageing outlaw Willie Nelson plunges straight back into a life of crime just hours after being released from prison - and uses the proceeds to reunite his equally long-in-the-tooth cohorts for an ambitious robbery. However, old enemy Richard Widmark is determined to stop the wrinkly renegades, leading them into a tense final showdown. Entertaining light-hearted Western, written and directed by cowboy movie veteran Burt Kennedy. Angie Dickinson, Stuart Whitman and Shaun Cassidy co-star

    Open House: The Great Sex Experiment -:- Another group of curious committed couples explore the possibility of opening up their relationships with sexually liberated residents. In this episode, builder Connor and full-time mother Kirstie are interested in bringing another man into their relationship and want to start the process by having a threesome. However, after connecting with resident Nathan, things go off the rails due to Connor's confidence issues. Meanwhile, married parents Chanice and Richardo, who are torn between a threesome or foursome, face an unexpected issue - finding a resident who is attracted to them

    Paddington Station 24/7 -:- In preparation for its launch of a new fleet of intercity express trains, Great Western Railway and Network Rail work hard to upgrade the track and the stations serve them. To mark the 175th anniversary of Queen Victoria becoming the first monarch to travel by train, the Queen will make the same journey from Slough to Paddington on one of the new trains. Further along the line at Reading, revenue protection inspector Lyn has been alerted to a man travelling without a ticket

    Railways: The Making of a Nation -:- Liz McIvor examines how the railways stimulated great changes to the nation's economy, and encouraged a new generation of mechanical engineers, skilled workers, managers and accountants. Originally, local entrepreneurs viewed trains as vehicles for shifting raw materials, stock and goods, however it soon became clear that there was money to be made in transporting people

    Railways: The Making of a Nation -:- Liz McIvor explores how Britain's expanding rail network was the spark to a social revolution, starting in the 1800s and continuing through to modern times. She begins by examining the introduction of precise railway schedules and timetables that recognised Greenwich Mean Time. However, in a country made up of separate local time zones, with clocks in the west set several minutes behind those in the east, not everyone was keen to step in line

    Rio Lobo (1970) -:- A former Union Army colonel heads for Texas to recover a shipment of gold bullion stolen from a payroll train during the American Civil War. Along the way, he searches for a pair of traitors he holds responsible for a defeat suffered by his unit, which led to the loss of a close friend. Howard Hawks' Western, starring John Wayne, Jorge Rivero, Christopher Mitchum, Jack Elam, Jennifer O'Neill and Mike Henry

    Salvage Hunters -:- Drew Pritchard gets to drive a 1940s steam engine, and visits a country house to look for more potentially valuable items

    Seconds from Disaster -:- An investigation into the causes behind the commuter train crash that killed more than 100 people in Amagasaki, Japan, in April 2005

    Secret Life of Boys -:- Matt and Tabitha discover Ginger's big secret - she's been secretly filming her cousins and sharing the vlogs with her friends back in Australia. However, her supposedly secret vlogs have gone viral and now everyone knows her cousins' secrets and Ginger has to work extra hard to get the boys to forgive her before she goes home to Australia. Meanwhile, Uncle Bob discovers a mistake with his wedding paperwork - he may not be legally married to Aunt Corey. The kids convince him to throw a 'fake' wedding for Corey, which will actually be real. Ethan trains lizard Stan to be the ring bearer, Chris decorates the wedding arch, Robbie sets up some entertainment and Matt tries to become a vicar

    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

    Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa -:- Penguin mates prepare to become surrogate parents, a treasured white rhino trains for her next adventure, and a moray eel visits the vet

    Sierra Passage (1950) -:- An orphan is adopted by the owner of a travelling Wild West show after his father is murdered. He grows up to be an expert marksman with a trick shooting act but remains obsessed with vengeance. When a train the performers are travelling on is held up by the killers, he vows to hunt them down. Western, starring Wayne Morris and Lola Albright

    Susan Calman's Grand Day Out -:- The comedian and her campervan hit the road for a trip to the Yorkshire valleys. At York Minster, she hears about how the people of Yorkshire saved the stunning stained glass during the Second World War. Susan also visits a teddy bear museum, Betty's cafe tea rooms, and takes a miniature steam train ride

    The Agatha Christie Hour -:- A man on a train regales his fellow passengers with the tale of a dying woman's possession by a peasant girl. Drama, based on a short story by the novelist

    The Big Steam Adventure -:- John, Peter and Paul set off from Whitby in their first vehicle of the day, a 1937 open-topped steam lorry, but when it breaks down, the trio have to hitch a ride to Beamish, the living history museum. From Beamish they head to the oldest railway line in the world, before hopping on a steam launch on the River Tyne. With just 75 miles to go and their journey coming to an end, they jump in their final steam vehicle and set off for the Scottish border

    The Bounty Hunter (1954) -:- A professional manhunter searches for three murderous train robbers who have taken cover in a backwoods town, but is unable to identify the killers among the community's residents. Meanwhile, the fugitives are aware of his arrival, and tensions begin to rise. Western, starring Randolph Scott, Dolores Dorn and Ernest Borgnine

    The Dales -:- Adrian Edmondson revisits the Wildman family's farm in Kirkby Malham for the opening of the charcuterie, and follows the Dales tradition of the Burning of the Bartle in West Witton, where an effigy of a sheep stealer is paraded through the streets and set alight. He also finds out about the fundraising plans of Wensleydale Railway general manager Nigel Park

    The Detectives -:- A detective falls in love with a female prisoner he is escorting by train to the state penitentiary. Guest starring Telly Savalas

    The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway -:- First of two documentaries following the final stages of the construction work on the Elizabeth Line underground railway beneath the streets of London. Cameras follow the engineers, technicians and train staff who are under pressure to complete their section of the project, including building and fitting out 10 brand new stations, learning to drive the new fleet of trains, and testing the 21km twin tunnels beneath London, in a bid to make it safe for the public

    The Fred Dibnah Story -:- The life of the Bolton steeplejack, explaining how his TV career began and exploring his passion for steam engines. The opening episode sees him working on the spectacular demolition that would set him on the road to fame

    The Graham Norton Show -:- Graham presents his traditional end-of-year show, joined by guests Michael Sheen, appearing in Sky Cinema's Last Train to Christmas, Oscar-nominated Jessica Chastain, the star and producer of female spy film The 355. British actor Claire Foy talks about quirky biopic The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage chats about playing Cyrano de Bergerac in Joe Wright's new adaptation Cyrano, while The Good Fight's Cush Jumbo reflects on her role in Harlan Coben drama Stay Close. Top comic Joe Lycett lightens the mood, promoting his UK tour More, More, More. Plus, the Divine Comedy perform their classic Something for the Weekend and there are some final stories from the Big Red Chair to round off the year

    The Greatest Auction -:- AJ Odudu hosts as collectors bid for a pinball machine signed by Elton John, a fork liberated from Saddam Hussein's palace and a prototype mid-century chair brought in by two sisters who have different feelings about it but are equally desperate to sell it. Plus a 1940s 'fly-o-plane' fairground attraction that was once used to train fighter pilots

    The Magnificent Seven (2016) -:- A remote frontier town falls under the control of a ruthless industrialist, who uses the locals as forced labour in his mines. A woman goes in search of help, recruiting a band of seven hired guns to protect the town and train the people to fight back. Remake of the classic Western, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt

    The Only Way Is Essex -:- Joey relaunches his Reem night with a bang, and Cara and Mick spend the day together. Gemma reveals what happened on her date with Charlie, while Arg trains for a marathon

    The Royal -:- A train crash claims the life of an infant making Jill more determined than ever to support Carnegie's plans for a premature baby unit at the hospital. Meanwhile, local farmer Sam Benson (guest star Jack Deam) causes concern with his erratic behaviour, and Stella's rapist requires life-saving surgery after being attacked by the father of another victim

    The Royal -:- The train on which Marian is travelling crashes, trapping her in the wreckage. Although she cannot escape, she's free to move around the carriage to help those injured, assisted by fellow passenger Dr Nick Burnett - who turns out to be the Royal's new locum. Back at the hospital, a shortage of staff puts the casualty department under pressure when the crash victims begin to arrive. Damian O'Hare joins the cast, and Gerard Horan guest stars

    The Rubbish World of Dave Spud -:- The misadventures of underdog Dave Spud and his family. The Spuds have a new toy railway for the twins from the dump - this one is particularly special because it is big enough for all the Spuds to ride. With plenty of track to spare, wherever might the Spuds' railway journey take them?

    The Saved and Remade Workshop -:- Leigh turns a toy train into an item that reflects its owner's love of rugby and frogs, and a 63-year-old teddy bear is given a new lease of life

    The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) -:- Criminals hijack a crowded New York subway train and threaten to start shooting the passengers unless a $10million ransom is paid in one hour. However, the transport supervisor they issue their demands to begins to suspect the plot is part of an even grander scheme. Tony Scott's thriller remake, with Denzel Washington and John Travolta

    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

    The Wire -:- Herc catches Royce in a compromising situation, and Carcetti drops a bombshell on his rival during a televised mayoral debate. While Prez prepares for the start of term, Marlo gives the neighbourhood children money for school equipment and Michael catches his attention by refusing the handout. Bunk finds a murder suspect hard to track down and Bubbles trains an apprentice

    To End All Wars (2001) -:- Four PoWs learn to rely on one another for support while they are held captive by Japanese forces during the Second World War, and made to build a railway through the stifling Burmese jungle. Fact-based drama, starring Robert Carlyle, Kiefer Sutherland, Ciaran McMenamin and Mark Strong

    Tracks and Trails -:- Bláthnaid Treacy explores four trails in Co Westmeath, beginning by taking a bike ride from outside Mullingar to Athlone along the 42km Old Rail Trail Greenway. The next day she walks a 3km route around the Hill of Uisneach, then visits Mullaghmeen Forest and finally heads to Belvedere House and Gardens and Park

    Trains That Changed the World -:- The railroads ended slavery in the USA, but trains can be agents of oppression too. The British Empire built railways to rule the world, enabling it to control the empire

    Trains That Changed the World -:- The stories behind the most important trains in history and their impact on the world, beginning with a look at the first locomotives during the Industrial Revolution

    Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995) -:- A retired Navy veteran travelling by train is forced to leap into action when he realises terrorist hijackers are on board. Their leader, a vengeful former government operative with access to a powerful orbital weapon, is threatening to set off a chain of earthquakes if his demand for $1billion is not met. Action adventure sequel, with Steven Seagal, Eric Bogosian, Morris Chestnut, Brenda Bakke and Katherine Heigl

    Upstairs, Downstairs -:- Daisy and Edward are married, but his return to the front line cuts short their happiness. At the station Georgina witnesses the arrival of a train filled with casualties, and decides to do something positive to assist the war effort

    Victoria -:- The queen becomes pregnant, and declares that Albert will become head of state in the event of her death. The developments outrage members of the Tory party, who fear a German prince holding sway over the nation and make arrangements to disrupt his visit to the industrial north. The consort finds an unlikely ally in Sir Robert Peel, who seeks royal approval for the rapidly developing railway. At first, Victoria does not approve, but soon changes her mind when she experiences Peel's creation for herself

    Wagons West (1952) -:- Jeff Curtis, a travelling wagon-master agrees to lead a pioneer train from Joplin, Missouri to the Oregon territories. When the train begins to encounter trouble with well-armed Native tribes, Jeff is forced to consider the prospect that one of the convoy's members is selling weapons to the enemy, and suspicion falls on the mean-spirited nephew of the train's captain. Western, starring Rod Cameron

    Walking Britain's Lost Railways -:- Rob Bell explores more abandoned rail routes, beginning with one that cut an outrageous path through the dramatic hills and gorges of the Peak District - part of the 1860s express route between London and Manchester. From Matlock to the spa town splendour of Buxton, Rob unearths a tale of Victorian ambition, as he travels along a route filled with great engineering, which is now a beloved part of the Peak District National Park

    Walking Britain's Lost Railways -:- Rob Bell explores the Waverley Route, which ran south from Edinburgh for 100 miles through the Scottish Borders to Carlisle, connecting with what is now known as the West Coast Main Line. After years of campaigning, the first stage of Rob's journey is aboard the new Borders Railway, the longest railway to open in over a century. It follows part of the old Waverley Route, making fine use of the 170-year-old, 23-arch Newbattle Viaduct. Rob also pays a visit to one of Hawick's surviving cashmere factories and discovers a First World War prisoner of war camp served by the railway

    Walking Britain's Lost Railways -:- Rob Bell heads to Norfolk to follow a lost railway through some of the quietest - yet wealthiest - parts of the country. This railway was a curious latecomer when it was built in the 1880s and it threatened to rudely thrust the region into the industrial age. Rob explores an entire engineering town built from scratch, learns how Norfolk's agriculture was super-charged, and sees for himself where thousands of holidaying Midlanders arrived to sail the Norfolk Broads. The line put Norfolk on the frontline of the war so Rob takes to the skies to spot dozens of hastily constructed airfields

    Walking Britain's Lost Railways -:- Rob Bell heads to the industrial heartlands of north-east England, beginning on Wearside, where he learns about the world's first railway designed for steam locomotives. Rob also visits the 'living' museum at Beamish and rides a railway from George Stephenson's day, following an old line into Hartlepool, where a medieval port was turned into a mega-centre of coal, rail and shipping in just one generation

    Walking Britain's Lost Railways -:- Rob Bell travels to Bangor in north Wales, where he explores a lost line that was built in 1801 to transport Welsh slate from the local quarry, which once was the largest in the world, and now provides the backdrop for the world's fastest zip line. He also follows the Victorian railway inland to Llanberis, where tourists still flock to ride a special train to the summit of Snowdon, and discovers why the heirs to the throne have been styled 'Prince of Wales' for seven centuries

    Walking Britain's Lost Railways -:- Until it closed in 1966 the Deeside Railway followed the River Dee upstream from Aberdeen into what is now the Cairngorms National Park. As luck would have it, Queen Victoria purchased Balmoral just as the line was set to open, giving the route prestige. Rob Bell retraces the route, visiting a shooting estate, tossing a caber and finding an unmistakable Highland 'brand' that all owe their existence to this royal railway age. He also explores a quiet valley of cattle farming and timber sawmills, and, in truth, a simple railway that struggled for decades to justify its own existence, despite its royal veneer

    Walking Victorian Britain -:- Onyeka Nubia ventures through London, where so much of what can be seen - from its masses of railways to its famous landmarks - has its origins in Victorian Britain

    Walks Around Britain -:- Andrew White treks up The Great Orme in North Wales and beside a railway in West Yorkshire

    Walks Around Britain -:- Series featuring inspirational walks between from around Britain. Andrew White walks on a disused railway in the Peak District and alongside the Caledonian Canal

    Weatherman Walking -:- Derek Brockway kicks off the new series in Gwynedd with a 10-mile walk, that starts and ends in Penryndeudreath near Porthmadog and follows part of the Ffestiniog Railway line. He learns about the industrialist who changed the landscape and takes shelter from the rain in a farmhouse kitchen before exploring a Celtic rainforest. Meanwhile, Dr Jeni Millard visits a slate quarry now used to mature cheese and Onkar Singh Purewal discovers the story of the first recorded black person in north Wales

    Wild West Chronicles -:- Butch and Sundance are gone, so Bat Masterson asks Sundance's girlfriend to relive the events from one of the West's greatest train robberies

    World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys -:- A six-hour journey through Yorkshire to Northumbria and the Borders onboard the Tornado, enjoying some of the best food and luxury service that trains can offer. While in Northumbria there is the chance to discover local traditions such as Craster's famous smokery and kippers, and step back in time to delve into the wonders that lie beneath the sand at Bamburgh

    World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys -:- The West Highland Line is one of the world's truly legendary train routes, crossing spectacular Scottish moors and mountains as it heads towards Skye. Starting in Glasgow, it glides towards Loch Lomond, the world's largest inland stretch of water. It then sweeps north to enter the wild and windswept landscape of Rannoch Moor. After ascending to Corrour, Britain's highest station, the journey passes Ben Nevis, the UK's tallest mountain and then across the famous Glenfinnan viaduct. The coastal town of Mallaig is gateway to the Isle of Skye with its world-famous Highland cuisine and many breathtaking views

    World's Top 5 -:- Five of the world's most impressive trains are pitted against one another in a variety of key categories

    SMALL PRINT

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