'Great British Train Journeys'

[snudge27]

If you've not yet caught it, or heard of it, BBC2 is re-showing Michael Portillo's excellent series based on Bradshaw's guides to Britain's Victorian railway network.

It's on at 1830 weekdays on BBC2 and it's well worth a watch; Portillo is clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the subject area, and is clearly a natural presenter.

Well worth a watch!

[tubeguru]

Where was he today? I noticed a flash of a train in First Group livery of some description right at the end.

[snudge27]

He did Ely - King's Lynn today, and will do East Dereham to Cromer tomorrow. I imagine it'll involve him travelling on the Mid Norfolk Railway, which will be interesting.

He managed to get a cab pass between Downham Market and King's Lynn, and it was brilliant to see his obvious excitement about being able to travel in the cab!

[tubeguru]

He always has a little orgasm every time he gets a cab pass.

[kateyay]

It's quite an excellent show - I think this is a re-run of the 2nd series that was aired earlier this year in January - March time.

The first week included a journey on the Central Line and some chat about the architecture of Liverpool Street station - and if I remember correctly, a quick squizz at the "Stiffs Express" funeral service running between Waterloo and Brookwood cemetary! Much interestingness.

[tubeguru]

I visited Brookwood Cemetery a few years a go. There were two platforms in the graveyard, with a line connecting it to the main line.

The two platforms are still there today. This one is the north platform, in the area that was used for non-conformist burials:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpmarks/5794634153/

The south platform is hidden right at one end of the cemetery, and is in the area used for Anglican burials:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpmarks/2853127346/

[tubeguru]

I should point out that when I visited, over a year before the picture of the south platform above was taken, the house sitting on the platform was being built, and the general area was more run-down than it appears here. Someone has been busy restoring the platform.

[Rhys1995]

Never got a chance to watch this, will need to iPlayer it at some point though.