Train Track - Michael Portillo – The Railway Gentleman

🚂 When I think of trains and storytelling, one name always comes to mind: MichaelPortillo.

For years, Sima and I have sat down to watch his BBC2 series GreatBritish Railway Journeys, and every episode feels like traveling withoutleaving the couch. His intelligence, wit, and curiosity make him one of themost captivating presenters on television.

What makes Portillo’s documentaries so unique is their breadth. Hedoesn’t just show us a railway line or a train ride. He takes us deep into history,geography, architecture, food culture, and even the littledetails of accommodation along the way. With his famous Bradshaw’s Guidein hand, he connects the past with the present - making every journey acultural, historical, and human adventure.

He has that rare gift of transforming facts into stories. Whether he’ssharing the history of a Victorian railway bridge, tasting a regional dish, ormeeting local people whose lives are shaped by the railway, Michael Portillomakes us care. He reminds us that railways are not just about moving from oneplace to another-they are about people, communities, and the lifeblood ofnations.

It’s no wonder his documentaries have become such beloved viewingworldwide. Sima and I often say: “If only every history teacher taught likeMichael Portillo speaks, everyone would love history.”

That’s also why I find him inspiring for my own project, Train Track.Like Portillo, I believe trains are more than tracks and timetables. They aremetaphors for life, journeys, and the stories we carry with us.

So here’s to the Railway Gentleman - for teachingus, entertaining us, and reminding us that every journey matters. 



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