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Michael embarks upon a new journey with his Bradshaw's guide, follow the path of The Flying Scotsman at a more leisurely pace. Along the way he drives a locomobile, goes back to school and learns about fertilisers.
All Episodes - S08
EPS01
Michael takes a once in a lifetime trip aboard the world famous train. He is up before dawn to catch The Flying Scotsman at London's King's Cross station and takes the opportunity to get his hands on the hallowed controls.
EPS02
Michael embarks upon a new journey with his Bradshaw's guide, follow the path of The Flying Scotsman at a more leisurely pace. Along the way he drives a locomobile, goes back to school and learns about fertilisers.
EPS03
Michael continues his journey from London to York. In Newark he attends a Tudor song school and admires some railway art, before discovering a high-tech use for Victorian rubber technology in Retford.
EPS04
Michael continues his journey up the East Coast Main Line from London to Edinburgh. In Newton Aycliffe he tests a high tech train then visits the former home of Lewis Carroll. He learns how to smoke kippers and use a coracle.
EPS05
Michael concludes his journey from London to Edinburgh. He has a ukulele lesson and gets a taste of life as a fishwife in Musselburgh. In the Scottish capital he learns about the history of anatomy and body snatchers.
EPS06
Michael sets off from Blackpool, makes some potent new friends in Fleetwood and then lends a hand constructing a new multi-million pound rail link in Manchester. He then unveils a monument to railway workers killed during WWI.
EPS07
Michael's journey from the Irish Sea to the North Sea continues as he learns about some of Manchester's scientific pioneers including the Victorian scientist who invented atomic theory and the men who created Graphene.
EPS08
Michael learns about the Victorian daredevil who invented the sport of rock climbing, comes face to face with a hagfish at Sheffield University and visits the castle that inspired Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe.
EPS09
In Gainsborough, Michael marvels at the ingenious Victorian machine that changed shopping forever. In Lincoln, he hears the poetry and verse of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. He helps recycle rails and ballast and visits Ely Cathedral.
EPS10
On the last leg of his journey following the route of the North Country Continental service, Michael uncovers the world's first assembly line at Leiston. Drives a train on the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway and learns about the port of Harwich.
EPS11
Michael Portillo begins a journey across Ireland. He takes to the seas in a 100-year-old lifeboat and discovers an American naval hero. He ends this leg riding in a horse-drawn, barrel-topped caravan.