🚂Train Track - Michael Portillo – The Railway Gentleman

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

For years, Sima and I have sat down to watch his BBC2 series Great British Railway Journeys, and every episode feels like traveling without leaving the couch. His intelligence, wit, and curiosity make him one of the most captivating presenters on television.

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

He has that rare gift of transforming facts into stories. Whether he’s sharing the history of a Victorian railway bridge, tasting a regional dish, or meeting local people whose lives are shaped by the railway, Michael Portillo makes us care. He reminds us that railways are not just about moving from one place to another-they are about people, communities, and the lifeblood of nations.

It’s no wonder his documentaries have become such beloved viewing worldwide. Sima and I often say: “If only every history teacher taught like Michael 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 are metaphors for life, journeys, and the stories we carry with us.

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

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