Abandoned Railways from Above

Michael Portillo celebrates the modern railway’s 200th birthday, revealing the journey that changed the world.

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Si King, Siddy Holloway and Damion Burrows explore the extraordinary spaces that take us beyond catching a train to the hidden worlds where heritage, technology and community converge.

Documentary series investigating why some of the world's most advanced architectural achievements were abandoned.

Intercity 125 – Britain's own original high-speed train – rules the rails today, but this national icon is set to give way to hi-tech imports. It's time to celebrate the heroic story of a design classic that saved Britain's railways from terminal decline.

The TikTok sensation, Francis Bourgeois, will give audiences and his guests a glimpse into the art of wild transpotting.

Scattered across the United States are abandoned structures, forgotten ruins of the past and monuments to a bygone era. Each one shines a light on the story of this land and its people, revealing the secrets of a hidden America.

Discover the secrets of Japan's railways, from the newest technologies and systems in use, to travel tips and must-see places.

Paul’s fascination with trains stems from his childhood. His father was a driver on the London Underground and when, as a young boy, Paul witnessed his dad driving a train across Putney Bridge, it sparked a lifelong fascination of railways. Now, he is following in his father’s footsteps by joining the drivers upfront and in control of some of the world’s most amazing trains and experiencing the best views as he travels through breathtaking landscapes in the UK and Europe. From steep gradients and tight curves to pinpoint platform stops, Paul will learn what it takes to keep these mighty machines on track. Visiting Germany, France, Switzerland, Wales, Northern England and Isle of Wight, he’ll meet the people who keep the railways running - from engineers and conductors to passengers with fascinating stories of their own.

Comedian Joe Wilkinson is joined by a host of celebrities as they travel the country by train. What do you get when you combine Joe Wilkinson, his love of trains and famous faces that he admires? A sort of train based podcast thing… that’s kind of it, really. With Joe’s love of train travel and all things “behind the scenes”, he’s gatecrashing the real train journeys of people he admires and going along for (their) ride.

It all starts on 1830, when young George Stephenson manufactures the first steam engine and the first railway networks are built soon after. Railway becomes a crucial factor in the development of trade and military strength for a country, with its ability to quickly transport soldiers and munitions. Railways expand rapidly in Europe and arrive soon in Greece.

All aboard for luxury train rides across Britain - with beautiful views, friendly company, fine dining and staff who take care of a passenger's every possible need.

Railway-related documentary covering modern railway systems, museum railways and their facilities as well as items on model railway layouts. Politics and criticism is not left out; the series reports on closures, controversial model ideas, delays to reconstruction plans or smart commuter transport concepts.

The Channel Tunnel stands as an engineering triumph and a testament to what can be achieved when two nations, Britain and France put aside their historic differences and work together. On the 25th anniversary of its opening, we reflect on what it took to build the longest undersea tunnel ever constructed.

A journey along Europe’s most spectacular night train routes, uncovering hidden natural stories along the way — stories of landscapes, wildlife, and the ecosystems that shape them.We meet people on board and along the routes. What unites them is a special connection to nature. Traveling through the night and into the early hours of morning, our routes take us across Germany, Scandinavia, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, and almost the entire Balkan Peninsula, all the way to the outskirts of Istanbul.

In the new Discovery series, Jeroen van Koningsbrugge visits the most spectacular, deserted and remote places and buildings. Together with Bob Thissen, an expert in finding and exploring abandoned structures, he discovers places where no one has set foot for years. Raw and forgotten locations, only accessible to true adventurers. They look for the stories behind these mysterious places, which sometimes reveal a shocking history. In Hungary, France, Italy and Turkey they come across hidden war bunkers, old sulfur mines, dilapidated hotels, a ghost village and, as a grisly highlight: a 17th century mass grave under a manhole cover in Genoa.