This Upcoming BBC Documentary Is Perfect For Train Lovers

Any ferroequinologists in the room? Like famed TikTok star Francis Bourgeois, this is someone who is recreationally interested in trains and rail transport systems. And 2025 is a big year for ferroequinologists: come September, it’s exactly 200 years since the very first steam-hauled passenger train chugged along a public railway. It was 1825, and the journey from Stockton to Darlington took around two hours, with 450 passengers carried in wagons. (The same journey today would take around 40 minutes, though you’d have to change at Middlesborough).

In celebration of this landmark year, the BBC has revealed it is working on a new two-part documentary, taking audiences back to this moment and journeying through time to the railways we know today. Hosted by Michael Portillo, here’s everything we know so far about 200 Years of The Railways.

200 Years Of The Railways With Michael Portillo

Set to air on BBC Two later this year, 200 Years of The Railways is a new docuseries made up of two hour-long episodes. Produced by Naked West and presented by Michael Portillo, the documentary will see the journalist travel by train to the Northeast and Northwest of England, all the while investigating how the railways have changed society over the past 200 years, and questioning what role they might play in the future.

‘The railways have been a rich part of our British heritage since they started, and who better to celebrate this momentous anniversary with but Michael Portillo, whose passion for trains is undisputed and infectious?’ says Alex McLeod, commissioning editor for BBC Daytime. ‘The specials will entertain and educate and there is something for everyone to enjoy.’

‘This year marks a momentous anniversary of the first steam-hauled passenger train,’ says co-producer and head of Naked West John Comerford. ‘We are delighted to be celebrating this extraordinarily significant moment in history, not only with a brand-new commission, 200 Years of the Railways, but also with the return of Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys.’

Release Date

We’re told 200 Years of The Railways will air on BBC Two later this year. We have a sneaky suspicion the two-part documentary will air on or around 27 September – the anniversary of the Stockton-Darlington journey.

Michael Portillo at Coastguard Cottages Cuckmere in Great Coastal Railway Journeys s3, Eastbourne to Rye episode. (Naked West/Fremantle/BBC)

Is Great British Railway Journeys Returning?

The news of 200 Years of The Railways precedes the return of Michael’s beloved train series Great British Railway Journeys, as well as the debut of brand new series Great Continental Railway Journeys. In the latter, Michael will explore some of Europe’s most beautiful and historic regions by train – from Switzerland to Croatia and Bosnia, Norway and Denmark to Normandy and Brittany – exploring how nature and history have shaped life in the continent’s enchanting settings. It joins Michael’s huge roster of train series, which he has been presenting for the BBC since 2009, including: Great American Railroad Journeys, Great Indian Railway Journeys, Great Alaskan and Canadian Railroad Journeys, Great Australian Railway Journeys, Great Asian Railway Journeys and Great Coastal Railway Journeys.

Great British Railway Journeys, meanwhile, will follow Michael as he explores even more of Britain’s most scenic and intriguing settings, again all by train, from Epping Forest to the Black Country, the Lake District to the Weald.

‘I am proud of having made new series of Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys,’ Michael shares. ‘As ever, my adventures are brought alive by the wonderful characters whom I encounter along the way. This year, we shall also produce a special series to celebrate the 200 years of railways in Britain and the world. I thank our viewers warmly for their commitment to these programmes.’

WATCH

Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys will return to BBC Two from 10 March 2025.

Catch up with Michael Portillo’s railway journeys on BBC iPlayer.