Michael Portillo filming at Stoke station today

[ultrabox]

Nice to see Mr Portillo on an EMT dogbox. Even better that I saw shots looking back to where I live when he was in the rear cab of the 153 to Spalding.

 

[6Gman]

Sorry to go slightly off topic but last night I watched the London-peterbourgh episode with interest as I sign the road but couldn't help but notice nearly all of the shots of trains were going backwards (as in the film had been reversed)? Anyone else noticed this and have they done this in other episodes to? Can't really see any reason why?

A XC train 'arrived' in Whittlesey with the guards head out of the 'front cab' window (complete with tail lights on the 'front'), a 'driverless' 313 arrived heading south in the down (ie northbound) platform arriving into Ali Pali with a red blind in the destination indicator, multiple shots of units heading wrong road (ie running on the right hand side of the railway where as in the UK trains run on the left side if that makes sense) and even a shot at the start of a grand central hst overtaking an FCC unit on the left hand side (the fast lines are to the right of the slows in direction of travel).

Just wondered why they seemed to do this so much-surely they can film trains in both directions?

Sorry for the pretty pointless post but it just annoyed me for some strange reason!

Good programme though.

I suspect some 'arty' director feels that the train looks better "top right to bottom left" rather than vice-versa. In the same way you see photos of buses on websites that are left-hand drive! [Because it looks 'better' left to right, rather than right to left]

 

[Crossover]

Sorry to go slightly off topic but last night I watched the London-peterbourgh episode with interest as I sign the road but couldn't help but notice nearly all of the shots of trains were going backwards (as in the film had been reversed)? Anyone else noticed this and have they done this in other episodes to? Can't really see any reason why?

A XC train 'arrived' in Whittlesey with the guards head out of the 'front cab' window (complete with tail lights on the 'front'), a 'driverless' 313 arrived heading south in the down (ie northbound) platform arriving into Ali Pali with a red blind in the destination indicator, multiple shots of units heading wrong road (ie running on the right hand side of the railway where as in the UK trains run on the left side if that makes sense) and even a shot at the start of a grand central hst overtaking an FCC unit on the left hand side (the fast lines are to the right of the slows in direction of travel).

Just wondered why they seemed to do this so much-surely they can film trains in both directions?

Sorry for the pretty pointless post but it just annoyed me for some strange reason!

Good programme though.

Happns constantly (including on the continental version) and to those who know anything about it, looks stupid!

The intro titles have always had an anomoly in themselves...a FGW service arrives at a station, with a green light at the rear.

Look closely, and you'll see the FGW livery is reversed, so the film has been flipped, to make it look like it is arriving right road, and they have used some post-production effect to change the lights on the front of it

 

[merlodlliw]

It would have been working the Cleethorpes - Barton-on-Humber service. Can't remember the journey he took, so not sure of the direction the train would have been traveling in.

Many thunks, I just enjoy looking at The 3rd edition of IA rail tracks.

 

[Johnuk123]

One thing's for certain the bloke has a rather natty choice in jackets.

 

[merlodlliw]

One thing's for certain the bloke has a rather natty choice in jackets.

Must be his Spanish ancestry excellent programme

 

[Butts]

Todays journey should have started in Falkirk before going onto Stirling

However to me this section will be the Highlight of the Series at least regarding scenery - perhaps thats why Falkirk was excluded

 

[marks87]

I find it strange he got off in Invergowrie to go and see the Tay Bridge. He ended up in Dundee anyway, closer to Dundee station than Invergowrie - indeed, it wouldn't surprise me if he just got straight back on the train he got off!

Anyone also notice he seemed to be going back towards Glasgow at the end.

 

[Butts]

Strange that he went all the way up to The North of Scotland and completed his journey at Wick rather than going onto Britains most northerly Station at Thurso - the END of the line

He could easily have transited to John O'groats from there !!

 

[Requeststop]

Strange that he went all the way up to The North of Scotland and completed his journey at Wick rather than going onto Britains most northerly Station at Thurso - the END of the line

He could easily have transited to John O'groats from there !!

Better Hotels in Wick?

Actually Wick is the end of the line these days; The trains arrive at Georgemas then travel to Thurso and then reverse back to Georgemas and end the ride at Wick. Then the trains do the same in reverse before journeying back to Inverness. It gives a sort of local service between Wick and Thurso I suppose.

 

[martinsh]

Only Portaloo could (presumably) take a taxi from his hotel in Blarney to Mallow in order to catch a train from Mallow to Cork !

 

[cointreau_rove]

Have enjoyed all the series to date. The continental journeys were really just a taster as they were more like one of tose way down the numbers on sky that appear now and then (the one on the Rajistan train to the Taj Mahal was immense - saving for that little journey). Some of the WW1 stuff was very interesting though. Basel station looked awesome (The rebuild of Birmingham New Street could take note of this. I was last in Basel Station in 1967 on a Calais to Innsbruck Wagon Lit for a ski trip. The place was a lot different then! We got pff for brekfast there.

Really enjoyed the Irish editions that Portillo has done. So much of the Irish Network I remember as a kid are long gone and even freight lines are gone. Brough back lots of memories but so many places no longer accessible by rail.

Hopefully he will do some more and knock Tarrants efforts into a cocked hat.

I have the DVDs of the first 3 series but for the lige of me I couldmn't put my hands on them. Friends who poo pooed the series have borriwed them and then they have gone on to others. arrrgghhhh

They are a little twee for the purists but they are reasonably well made and for some an eye opener into what we have lost.....

C

 

[Robert Taggart]

MDXP - a good presenter of another good series.
But, what a come down from the height of Government Cabinet Minister.
Question, is this the most publicised mid-life crisis in history ?!

 

[Bungle73]

MDXP - a good presenter of another good series.
But, what a come down from the height of Government Cabinet Minister.
Question, is this the most publicised mid-life crisis in history ?!

He was never going to be in government for ever, and I'm quite sure he's liked by far more people now than when he was in politics. He seems to enjoy making them, and he has an interest in the trains and lines. I'd say its win win for Mr Portillo. What other government minister has been able to re-invent themselves post-government to become a well liked TV personality, making an extremely popular programme?

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

He was never going to be in government for ever, and I'm quite sure he's liked by far more people now than when he was in politics. He seems to enjoy making them, and he has an interest in the trains and lines. I'd say its win win for Mr Portillo. What other government minister has been able to re-invent themselves post-government to become a well liked TV personality, making an extremely popular programme?

Spot on! I was one of those who cheered when he lost his seat in 1997, but I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed his programmes, and yes, he does demonstrate a keen interest in the subject matter and does love his railways. I don't think I've seen anyone on TV since Michael Palin's early adventures who can be so enthusiastic. Good luck to him!

 

[Robert Taggart]

He was never going to be in government for ever

Really ? Well, Government perhaps, but, front-bench politics...
As the Member of Parliament for Kensington and Chelsea - he had a job for life - if he so chose. Having returned swiftly to Parliament he was immediately propelled up to the front bench as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. Alas, having only known Government politics up to then - Opposition politics was too much for him.
Portillo's Progress - Channel 4 - 1998. MDXP's first foray into broadcasting. This short series saw him travel through Blighty trying to find out why the Tories had been defeated catastrophically in '97 and in what ways Blighty had changed socially and politically. The programme made for interesting viewing - it also made for depressing viewing - to see someone who had once 'known their own mind' suffering a 'crisis of confidence' in their mid-life.
:neutral:

 

[Buffer68]

I have thoroughly enjoyed every program so far and Michael Portillo is a great presenter. Also he likes to say that saving the Settle to Carlisle railway was his greatest achievement in politics. As minister for Rail in the late 1980s it was he who turned down British Rail's application to close the line, leading to the start of a recovery that has turned it into a northern institution.

 

[Mainliner]

Spot on! I was one of those who cheered when he lost his seat in 1997, but I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed his programmes, and yes, he does demonstrate a keen interest in the subject matter and does love his railways. I don't think I've seen anyone on TV since Michael Palin's early adventures who can be so enthusiastic. Good luck to him!

Miles Kington, sadly no longer with us, was also good, albeit in a more laid-back style

Two of my favourite programmes of his:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpZt5EW35e8 (Peru)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p011w7vk/Steam_Days_Travels_with_a_Duchess/ (Duchess of Hamilton on Settle & Carlisle)

 

[DarloRich]

Michael Portillo was at Bletchley this morning filming for his railway series. he took the Marston Vale line to Fenny Stratford to discuss the invention of the diesel engine. I assume he went on to Bedford after that.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
and here is a picture of him at work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/8631251865/in/photostream

 

[Bungle73]

Michael Portillo was at Bletchley this morning filming for his railway series. he took the Marston Vale line to Fenny Stratford to discuss the invention of the diesel engine. I assume he went on to Bedford after that.

So a new series confirmed then.

I wonder if he'll do another Great Continental Railway Journeys series.

and here is a picture of him at work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/8631251865/in/photostream

With his trusty Bradshaw's handy, as always, I see.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

So a new series confirmed then.
I wonder if he'll do another Great Continental Railway Journeys series.
With his trusty Bradshaw's handy, as always, I see.

He was on a Renfe train to Barcelona on ITV last night - subject Picasso.
A very engaging art documentary, but sadly no Bradshaw in sight.

 

[DarloRich]

he had a very snazzy blue jacket/red jumper combo today - that and his Bradshaws!

 

[Butts]

he had a very snazzy blue jacket/red jumper combo today - that and his Bradshaws!

Blimey it must be a little warmer down there than it is up here

Hope he does "The Far North" Line up to Thurso/Wick this time.

 

[DarloRich]

Blimey it must be a little warmer down there than it is up here

Hope he does "The Far North" Line up to Thurso/Wick this time.

no need for a coat at all today! Almost spring like

 

[Mikey C]

I thought he normally filmed in summer, as certainly he has an impressive range of summer jackets!
And no, it wasn't that warm down here either, and the rest of the week doesn't look brilliant weather wise. Expect a warm anorak for later episodes of this journey!

 

[Sun Chariot]

I'd love to see the BBC send Michael to some truly great continental rail journeys. Any of you who have read Paul Theroux's seminal travel books will know what I mean (such as from Boston to the southernmost railhead in Argentina, via 20,000-odd feet altitude line in the Andes).

My own great continental rail journeys, both hauled by vintage narrow gauge steam: the 1-in-10 rack and pinion Nilghiri Blue Mountain Railway, up Mount Ooty (southern India) and the spectacular 10,015 ft Cumbres Pass of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, on the old Rio Grande (USA's southern range of Rocky Mountains). In both cases, jaw-dropping scenery and wonderful local people.

 

[Bungle73]

I'd love to see the BBC send Michael to some truly great continental rail journeys. Any of you who have read Paul Theroux's seminal travel books will know what I mean (such as from Boston to the southernmost railhead in Argentina, via 20,000-odd feet altitude line in the Andes).

My own great continental rail journeys, both hauled by vintage narrow gauge steam: the 1-in-10 rack and pinion Nilghiri Blue Mountain Railway, up Mount Ooty (southern India) and the spectacular 10,015 ft Cumbres Pass of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, on the old Rio Grande (USA's southern range of Rocky Mountains). In both cases, jaw-dropping scenery and wonderful local people.

But none of those are in Europe, and well outside the scope of the book. Continental on the Continent, ie Europe.

He has done an episode of Great Railway Journeys, an entirely separate programme from the book ones, years ago though. In that case in Spain.

 

[Searle]

I'd love to see the BBC send Michael to some truly great continental rail journeys. Any of you who have read Paul Theroux's seminal travel books will know what I mean (such as from Boston to the southernmost railhead in Argentina, via 20,000-odd feet altitude line in the Andes).

My own great continental rail journeys, both hauled by vintage narrow gauge steam: the 1-in-10 rack and pinion Nilghiri Blue Mountain Railway, up Mount Ooty (southern India) and the spectacular 10,015 ft Cumbres Pass of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, on the old Rio Grande (USA's southern range of Rocky Mountains). In both cases, jaw-dropping scenery and wonderful local people.

If you can't get a half pint of bitter, Portillo won't visit it!

 

[aylesbury]

Mr Portillo will be in Aylesbury next Wensday addressing the Bucks Federation WI ,I shall be there as my wifes WI choir will be singing there.Will be interesting to see which jacket he will be wearing and wether or not he mentions his tv show.

 

[Butts]

Mr Portillo will be in Aylesbury next Wensday addressing the Bucks Federation WI ,I shall be there as my wifes WI choir will be singing there.Will be interesting to see which jacket he will be wearing and wether or not he mentions his tv show.

Or indeed the passing of Mrs T !!!