Great American Railroad Journeys

2016•2 series

Available on U&Yesterday

D. Appleton & Company, in New York, published a series of travel guides in the 19th century, including `Appleton's General Guide to the United States', a book documenting the US railroad system in 1879 amongst others. British railway enthusiast Michael Portillo takes his copy of the guides around the United States and discovers new places. Along the way, Portillo stops at significant historical sites, exploring the little-known past of specific routes and how they influenced the each country's transformation and growth.

Episode 1St Louis to Jefferson City, Missouri

Michael Portillo journeys west from St Louis to Jefferson City, Missouri, following the tracks of European settlers in the 19th century. S2 Ep1

Episode 2Sedalia to St Joseph, Missouri

Michael Portillo discovers the hidden pleasures of 19th-century railroad workers in Sedalia, before reaching St Joseph, Missouri. S2 Ep2

Episode 3Lawrence to Lamar, Colorado

In Lawrence, Kansas, Michael Portillo joins the Jayhawks basketball team, and later comes face to face with a herd of wild buffalo. S2 Ep3

Episode 4La Junta to Colorado Springs

Michael Portillo reaches Colorado, where he follows in the footsteps of 19th-century east coast men who came to experience the cowboy life. S2 Ep4

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