Season 1

Since Britain invented the railways in the early 1800s it has been an innovation with a huge impact on people's lives worldwide. Discover how the invention spread through the South of England, transforming the capital.

Discover remnants of early railroads in County Durham's countryside, and traces of the world's first public railway in Darlington. Take a steam-hauled special through the North Yorkshire Moors on one of Britain's earliest railways, now restored as a heritage line.

Head to Britain's most remote and spectacular railways...those most at risk from Dr Beeching's axe. Search for traces of Queen Victoria's long-lost line in the Scottish Highlands and climb aboard a steam-hauled special on the West Highland Line.