Series

Watch Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo (2014) Online

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7.02 votes201430mEndedDocumentaryOfficial site

Synopsis

Michael Portillo examines the role of the railways in World War I and travels through Britain and Europe uncovering stories from the Great War.

Episodes

Season 1

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1. A Railway War BeginsNow viewing2014-08-0430mMichael travels through Britain and northern Europe uncovering railway stories from the Great War. He begins his quest in the French city of Metz on European tracks built with war in mind, charts the birth of the railway war at a small station in Luxembourg and discovers how Britain's railways coped with the challenge of sending thousands of troops to join the conflict from Southampton. Finally, he returns to France to learn how the early war of movement gave way to the stalemate of the trenches.
2. Railways and Railwaymen Called to Action2014-08-0530mMichael travels through Britain uncovering railway stories from the Great War. His journey begins in England's north east where he finds out about the brave railwaymen who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Moving south to Oxfordshire he learns how the manufacturing expertise of the railways turned a crisis into a victory. In Hampshire, Michael meets the proud son of a railwayman who, as a Royal Engineer, taught soldiers to be railwaymen and trained railwaymen to be soldiers. Finally, on the south coast he meets the big guns that turned the tide of war.
3. Keeping the War Moving2014-08-0630mMichael travels through Britain and northern France uncovering railway stories from the Great War. He gets hands-on experience of the miniature tracks and trains that kept supplies flowing to the front line and visits North Eastern Railway Headquarters in York to find out about the Great War's forgotten railway leader. He hears the story of the Bath railway poet and pays homage at the site of Britain's deadliest train crash in Quintinshill. Finally, Michael crosses the Channel to discover how the railways fed millions of men in the trenches from a depot in Abancourt
4. On Track to Victory2014-08-0730mMichael travels through Britain and Belgium uncovering railway stories from the Great War. At Bristol's Temple Meads station he hears a first-hand account from the front line, then in Yorkshire discovers how women took over railwaymen's roles and began literally to wear the trousers. He finds out about the extraordinary exploits of Belgian trainspotters who spied on enemy rail movements and hears how the end of the war also marked the decline of the railways.
5. Railways and Remembrance2014-08-0830mMichael travels through Britain and northern France uncovering railway stories from the Great War. In this final episode, Michael explores the aftermath of this earth-shattering conflict. For four years, the railways had fed the front line with vast numbers of men, munitions and supplies. But even after the Armistice had been signed in a railway carriage, the work of the railways was not done. As Britain continued to mourn its dead, the railways played an important part in their remembrance. Michael hears stories of railway war heroes and encounters a remarkable railway wagon used to honour them. He hears how the railways helped give birth to battlefield tourism and in the cemeteries of Ypres he meets the great grandchildren of some of the fallen.

Cast

Top Billed Cast

Michael Portillo
Self - Presenter

Availability

Where To Watch Legally

No legal streaming, rental or purchase options for Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo were reported for this region.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo available to watch online?

Vidbox does not currently have a legal streaming, rental or purchase option on record for Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo in this region.

How many seasons does Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo have?

Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo has 1 season and 5 episodes.

When did Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo first air?

Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo first aired in 2014.

Is Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo still running?

Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo's status on TMDB is: Ended.

What genre is Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo?

Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo is classified as Documentary.