great british railway journey

Great British Railway Journeys season 15: release date, destinations, exclusive interview and everything we know

Great British Railway Journeys season 15 on BBC2 sees politician-turned-presenter Michael Portillo explore Britain’s post-war history by train.

Great British Railway Journeys season 15 on BBC2 sees dapper dresser Michael Portillo taking a train ride through Britain’s fascinating post-war history. That means exploring the Britain of his youth, criss-crossing the country by rail and taking a nostalgic look back at everything from the birth of space exploration, to the invention of the lava lamp, and all the highs and lows of British Rail through the post-war decades!

"I’m afraid train travel has got so much worse recently, and I’m astonished by the reduction in the number of services and the increase in journey times," says former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Portillo. 

"Having said that, when I was a child railway carriages used to be pretty grubby, and the British Rail sandwich was famously grim – always stale and curly at the edges!"

So here’s everything you need to know about the 15th outing of Great British Railway Journeys on BBC2…

Great British Railway Journeys season 15 release date

Great British Railway Journeys is a 15-part historical travelogue that will start on BBC2 from Monday March 18 2024 at 6.30pm, running daily from Monday to Friday across the week for three weeks. 

Episodes will also become available on BBCiPlayer . 

Is there a trailer for Great British Railway Journeys?

Not yet, but we’ll update here as soon as one lands, so watch this space – and look out for Michael wearing some particularly colourful jackets and trousers!

What happens and destinations in series 15 of Great British Railway Journeys?

The first five episodes take in the Southern Counties, from London Marylebone to Heathrow, via Swindon, Chippenham, Yeovil, Swanage, Portchester, Havant and Guilford. Along the way, Michael discovers the birthplace of the plastic recorder, learns about the origins of Oxfam and discovers the secrets of the hovercraft.

His second five-episode journey takes place in Scotland, from Loch Lomond to Dundee, taking in the West Highland Line, Glasgow’s Hampden Park and the Forth Road Bridge, which was constructed during the 50s and 60s. Meanwhile, Michael also rocks out with the Bay City Rollers and learns how chicken tikka masala was created for the Glaswegian palate by a chef from Lahore.

Finally, Michael travels from Merseyside to Teesside, with a five-episode leg that sees him discover the excitement of post-war space exploration at Jodrell Bank, ride a vintage Raleigh Chopper and check out the headquarters of Yorkshire Tea, before finishing his journey in a recreated 1950s street at the Beamish open air museum.

Exclusive interview: Michael Portillo talks us through Great British Railway Journeys

What can you tell us about Great British Railway Journeys season 15? Michael Portillo told us: "Well, it’s about exploring post-war Britain and the Britain of my youth, and it involves some fascinating adventures, including possibly the most dramatic and ambitious scene we’ve ever shot! In episode two I go up in a 1954 Harvard aircraft at Yeovilton air base with two other vintage planes flying either side – and I swear the wings were virtually touching. It was extraordinarily skillful flying but pretty alarming, too!"

Was there anything you particularly enjoyed reminiscing about? Michael says: "We went to Haslemere, Surrey, the birthplace of the plastic recorder. I had a wooden one, but it brought back memories of making dreadful noises on a recorder as a child! We also went to Beamish, the open air museum, and I’m a sucker for old buses and cars. But one has to be wary of nostalgia because the immediate post-war period was actually characterised by a lot of poverty and inequality. Even I remember what it was like to live in a house that didn't have central heating – it was freezing! 

What was it like rocking out with Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood from the Bay City Rollers? Michael says: "I think there will be danger of heart attacks across Britain when that episode goes out. You may remember their emblem was a tartan yellow scarf, well I did a lot of scarf waving because I got so carried away by the music! I was rather a stuck up kid in many of ways and I didn’t get into much of the youth rebellion stuff. I used to wear my shirts buttoned up to the top button, so I was literally ‘buttoned up.’ You have to understand that I was quite repressed. So I’m just delighted that these experiences somehow come around!"

Do you have a personal highlight from the series? Michael says: "It was very fascinating for me to speak to Mick McGahey Jr, whose father was the leader of the Scottish miners’ union at the time of the miners’ strike 40 years ago. Of course, I was a Conservative politician in those days, so I think each of us was so completely astonished to be in each other's company. I hope that makes good television."

Were there any filming challenges? Michael says: "I'd love to answer your question in the spirit that it’s made, but we always have extraordinary luck. We call it Portillo’s luck. For some reason when we're filming it always rains at night, but not during the day. And our trains are never canceled, which they are when I’m not filming!"

Do you have fond memories of train travel growing up? Michael says: "Yes, because I’m so old my earliest train travel was by steam train. We used to take our holidays on the Isle of Wight and there was a steam train that ran from Ryde down to Ventnor and it made the most extraordinary panting sound, and if I ever heard it again I’d be taken straight back to my childhood. But although people get very nostalgic about steam trains, they were very dirty and you’d always arrive at your destination covered in smuts!"

As a politician, you dressed quite somberly. So what changed? Michael says: "There's been this marvelous psychological flowering, which has occurred since I left my political career. The colorful inner man has burst forth spectacularly! Now my criteria for my outfits is simply to see whether there are any more colours on the spectrum I can get hold of. One of the things I enjoy while filming is watching the crew’s looks of horror at the combinations I put together. We’ve even got to the stage where some of our directors will actually request certain jackets and trousers. They’ll say things like, we’re filming in a brownish landscape, so your green and red outfit would be fantastic!"

Apart from your colorful clothes, do you have any packing must-haves? Michael says: "Yes, a very new and very eccentric packing must-have is that I now take an apron with me. The reason is I found myself taking a break from filming for lunch and then all afternoon I’d have spaghetti over my shirt. I thought, this won’t do. So I now sit down to lunch with an apron on in order to have a pristine shirt for the afternoon!"

Finally, what do fans like to talk to you about when they recognize you? Michael reveals: "Well, in the modern world nothing happens unless it’s recorded on a smartphone, so most people just want a selfie! The other day I was on a train and one of the train crew produced an autograph book, and I was astonished. I hadn't seen one of those for a while! Other than that, some people get very confused and think that I’m a railway expert when, in fact, the train is literally a vehicle to get me from one lovely history story to another!"

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Episode list

Great british railway journeys.

S5.E1 ∙ Manchester to Birkenhead

S5.e2 ∙ southport to leyland, s5.e3 ∙ preston to rochdale, s5.e4 ∙ haworth to huddersfield, s5.e5 ∙ honley to chesterfield, s5.e6 ∙ london euston to cheddington, s5.e7 ∙ bletchley to newport pagnell, s5.e8 ∙ northampton to nuneaton, s5.e9 ∙ leicester to loughborough, s5.e10 ∙ nottingham to leeds, s5.e11 ∙ southampton to basingstoke, s5.e12 ∙ winchfield to crowthorne, s5.e13 ∙ wokingham to bradford-on-avon, s5.e14 ∙ chippenham to gloucester, s5.e15 ∙ cheltenham to wolverhampton, s5.e16 ∙ norwich to brandon, s5.e17 ∙ ipswich to chelmsford, s5.e18 ∙ llford to rochester, s5.e19 ∙ faversham to dorking, s5.e20 ∙ brighton to chichester, contribute to this page.

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10 Episodes

S15 e1 - episode 10, s15 e2 - episode 10, s15 e3 - episode 10, s15 e4 - episode 10, s15 e5 - episode 10, s15 e6 - episode 10, s15 e7 - episode 10, s15 e8 - episode 10, s15 e9 - episode 10, s15 e10 - episode 10, streaming, rent, or buy great british railway journeys – season 15:.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Four London Underground lines and Overground hit by delays and closures

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Four London Underground lines and the Overground are currently delayed or partly closed.

After being suspended altogether earlier today due to a signal failure, there are now severe delays on the Jubilee line.

There are also minor delays on the Central and Hammersmith & City lines, according to TfL .

Earlier today we reported on the planned closures on the Piccadilly Line and London Overground. There is no service on the Piccadilly line between Wood Green and Cockfosters from today until Sunday September 1.

Earlier today there was disruption on the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line due to a faulty train.

Tube lines still dealing with delays

We’re sorry to report that there are still several issues riddling the TfL network.

While only five lines are experiencing delays or closures compared to six earlier, this isn’t the news you may have been hoping to read.

At the time of writing, there are severe delays on the Jubilee line due to a signal failure. Delays have also been reported on the Central and Hammersmith & City lines.

Two chunks of the Piccadilly line also remain closed. Replacement buses are running between Wood Green and Cockfosters, while riders are recommended to use the Metropolitan line to travel between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge.

Replacement buses are also running for the Overground, with no service between Hackney Downs and Chingford this weekend.

Traffic stopped on M3 in Surrey after overturned vehicle

Traffic is stopped on the M3 eastbound in Surrey between junction 3 and 2 following a collision involving an overturned vehicle.

National Highways said on X: ‘National Highways Traffic Officers are on scene. Delays are building on approach, please allow extra time for your journey.’

Severe delays on the Hammersmith & City line

There are severe delays on the London Underground’s Hammersmith & City line right now due to train cancellations, according to TFL.

The Jubilee line between London Bridge and North Greenwich is still suspended while a signal failure at Canary Wharf is fixed. Severe delays continue on the rest of the line.

There are minor delays on the Bakerloo and Central lines.

Traffic on the A23 from Redhill to Gatwick back to normal

There are no longer delays on the southbound A23 from Redhill to Gatwick Airport.

All four lanes were temporarily blocked this morning after a collision.

The lanes were gradually opened one by one but long delays continued for some time and drivers were told to allow more time for their journeys.

No Jubilee line service between London Bridge and North Greenwich

There is currently no service on the Jubilee line between London Bridge and North Greenwich while a signal failure at Canary Wharf is being fixed, according to TFL’s website.

There are severe delays on the rest of the line.

But the delays on the Bakerloo line we mentioned earlier have gone from severe to minor.

Southbound lane closed on A242 in Kent after crash

One lane is closed on the southbound A242 in Kent between Dartford and Sevenoaks following a collision.

There are delays of more than 60 minutes.

Severe delays on the Bakerloo Line

There are currently severe delays on the Bakerloo Line on the London Underground due to an earlier signal failure at Queen’s Park.

Tickets are valid on local London Buses and London Overground.

More than half of journeys from London City Airport take under six hours by train, data show

More than half of journeys taken from London City Airport last year could have been completed by train instead of plane in under six hours, according to new data.

Most of the airport’s destinations are mainland Europe and the analysis – conducted by the New Economics Foundation thinktank (NEF) and the environmental charity Possible – found many were easy to access by rail.

As the Guardian reports, the research showed 43.7% of the destinations could be reached in under five hours, 54.1% in under six and 66.2% in under eight.

The data was shared as the government decides whether or not to allow the airport to expand capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers.

NEF and Possible say expansion would have negative environmental and social impacts, and only benefit frequent flyers who are more likely to be wealthy.

Train disruption between Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle in Cumbria

Trains between Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle in Cumbria may be cancelled or delayed by up to 45 minutes up until 8pm this evening.

The disruption is due to a member of crew being unavailable, says train operator Northern.

You can use your ticket on TransPennine Express Services between Carlisle and Lancaster until 8pm.

Some cancelled trains will be replaced by ‘road transport’, according to National Rail.

A47 in Norfolk reopens 12 hours later

The A47 has now fully reopened after being closed for around 12 hours due to police investigating a crash.

It was shut between the A1064 for Acle and the A149 for Great Yarmouth at around 1am but is now open again.

All lanes now open on M23 towards Gatwick Airport but still delays

All lanes are now open on the M23 in Surrey southbound between junction 8 for Redhill and junction 9 for Gatwick.

It follows an earlier blockage due to a collision.

Long delays remain in the area but this should start to ease now, says National Highways.

No trains between Hackney Downs and Chingford all weekend

Just a reminder that there is no service on the London Overground between Hackney Downs and Chingford all weekend due to rail works.

Replacement bus service L3 is operating between Hackney Downs and Chingford via Clapton, St James Street, Walthamstow Central, Wood Street and Highams Park.

Trespasser causes train delays between Tonbridge and Hastings

Train delays between Tonbridge in Kent and Hastings in East Sussex are expected until 2.30pm following a trespassing incident on the railway.

All lines are now open but services may be delayed by up to 20 minutes.

The trespassing incident happened in the village of Frant in East Sussex, says National Rail.

Long delays on M4 in Berkshire after lorry breaks down

There are long delays on the M4 in Berkshire after one lane was closed westbound between junction 13 in Newbury and Junction 14 in Hungerford due to a broken down HGV.

All lanes are open but National Highways says there are still delays of around an hour, although congestion should soon ease.

Two lanes now open on M23 but there are still long delays

A second lane has now opened on the southbound M23 between Redhill and junction 9 in Gatwick but National Highways said there are still long delays.

It advises drivers to allow extra time for their journey.

Traffic released on M23 between Redhill and Gatwick Airport but expect delays

Traffic has been released on the M23 in Surrey southbound between junction 8 in Redhill and Junction 9 in Gatwick following a collision.

Three lanes of four remain closed with traffic now passing. Drivers are being urged to allow extra time for their journey, says the Highway Agency,

M23 in Surrey blocked between Redhill and Gatwick Airport after crash

The M23 in Surrey is currently blocked southbound between junction 8 in Redhill and junction 9 in Gatwick due to a collision, says National Highways.

Traffic officers are at the scene attempting to get the vehicles moved.

Aslef says rail strikes called amid ‘toxic situation’ in dispute with LNER

Aslef’s lead negotiator has said the union is putting ‘members first’ in a ‘toxic situation’ after announcing a fresh series of strikes.

Train drivers working for LNER – which runs the passenger service on the East Coast main line between London and Edinburgh – will walk out on weekends from the end of August in a dispute about working agreements.

The dispute is separate from the long-running row over pay, which looks likely to be resolved after a new offer this week from the government.

Lead negotiator Nigel Roebuck told Times Radio: ‘We work within agreements, we jointly sign up to agreements. We make agreements, we don’t break them.

‘When you get to the strike action decision, it’s because all else has failed. You can only try for so long.’

He praised Transport Secretary Louise Haigh for being ‘the adult in the room’ during pay negotiations, but said LNER had ‘consistently blocked’ attempts to settle the latest dispute.

‘We put our members first and our members’ mandate is on a separate issue which has been ongoing for two years,’ he said.

‘This dispute is not connected to the pay, it’s about upgrading of our agreements.

‘We’ve now got a toxic situation, we’ve got morale in the gutter among our members.

‘Our members are saying they want to work to their agreements, they want respect and dignity and we need to move forward.’

The planned strikes will cover a total of 22 days covering every Saturday and Sunday from September 1 to November 10.

An LNER spokesperson said: ‘Our priority focus will be on minimising disruption to customers during the forthcoming Aslef strikes, which sadly will continue to cause disruption and delays.

‘We are surprised and disappointed to hear this news following recent constructive conversations.

‘We will continue to work with Aslef to find a way to end this long running dispute which only damages the rail industry.’

No train service between Bedford and Bletchley

A shortage of train crew between Bedford and Bletchley in Bedfordshire means trains are currently unable to run between these stations, according to National Rail.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day and replacement buses will operate instead.

Cancellations on London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness line

A fault on a train at Leigh-on-Sea in Essex means some C2C trains running to and from London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until at least 11am.

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