Michael Palin's Great Railway Journeys - Confessions Of A Train Spotter 1980

[@paulmilthorpe9744]

This is the most British thing I have ever seen. The music and photography is brilliant. Gotta admit that MP is my hero…the best British person that has ever lived. He’s knowledgeable., smart, kind, unpretentious, tolerant, no nonsense and above all funny.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I worked for many years on the railway in England and had the good fortune to have MP as a passenger (I was an Intercity Senior Conductor). Michael was the epitome of politeness, and we engaged in conversation about the state of railways in the UK. I next saw him on the train over a decade later and was bowled over when he remembered me. A true gent.

[@MichaelLoda]

Well said! He's my hero as well

[@alastairgreen6783]

I'd happily go back to 1980.

[@annar6430]

But did you forget, Thatchers 'lost generation", and the worst music ever !

[@alistairbartlett6569]

​@@annar6430Some of the shit that passes for music today is far worse!!

[@superbracey]

Such a wonderfully nostalgic film to watch. Even the "modern" stuff in the film, such as the Class 101 DMU and the diesel locomotives, are nostalgic for me. And the soundtrack by Alan Lynn was the finishing touch, synthesizers and Solina String Ensemble... It was a blissful hour of entertainment for me, having previous just sat through Love Island with my other half.

[@mpersad]

The railway heritage of the British Isles, and the enthusiasts and public who support it, are a testament to the deep, deep, affection that we have for our trains, and the railways. A wonderful documentary.

[@blairmacewancrosbie8646]

Oh....and great soundtrack too...

[@fredmarden]

One of the greatest travel documentaries of all time. So well crafted, and so Palin.

[@kimboswell8063]

Bet they didn’t realise when making this in 1980 that it would be considered by 2023 as something we now know as “asmr”… lovely! Just lovely. God bless Michael Palin - my childhood watching these with my British dad encapsulated. Thank you

[@frederickvondinkerberg7721]

There is something just so enjoyable about a Michael Palin Travelog...

[@GavinGWhiz]

I think a big contributor is the fact that people who know of him as a celebrity are immediately disarmed by the fact he seems like a genuinely interested documentarian. He does jokes but they're never at the expense of someone else and rarely involve the person to actually yes-and the joke. And if you don't know who he is, he's just a guy with a camera crew who's asking simple, polite questions about your job with a smile on his face.

[@bullettube9863]

Despite this film being 40 years old, it still holds up well!

[@TerryTheNewsGirl]

To anyone who was wondering: you'll be happy to know that the "Don't Let Me Die" engine is now happily working at the Great Central Railway in Leicester. I was happy when I heard this today, I literally cried.

[@acquiesce100]

How the heck did you know that

[@althejazzman]

@@acquiesce100All the engines that once stood at Woodhams are well known.

[@OldSkoolUncleChris]

No.48305 was bought for preservation from Barry scrapyard. It is famous for having “Please don’t let me die” painted on the smokebox door. That was not to happen and the locomotive arrived on the GCR, at Quorn & Woodhouse, on 20th November, 1985. It was hauled to the Locomotive Department at Loughborough where dismantling soon began. It then underwent a long and comprehensive restoration which included the acquisition of a new tender. The locomotive was completely stripped down to its component parts and those repaired and restored or replaced before reassembly. Missing parts were made or found from other sources and the locomotive gradually developed into a complete machine once again. It was completely restored to running order and after running-in trials and final adjustments entered traffic on 25th February, 1995 at the GCR Winter Gala.

[@stephendavies6949]

Yes, all but about 6 of the 200+ locos at Woodham's Scrapyard, Barry Island, South Wales were saved, and now make up the vast majority of locos that work both the heritage & mainline steam services today. It's a remarkable preservation story.

[@Fcutdlady]

​@stephendavies6949 297 steam locomotives went into Woodham Brothers scrapyard. 213 came out for preservation as I recall. The most famous one was a film star . The hogwarts express in the Harry Potter films This was because Yard owner Dai Woodham found it easier to get his workers to scrap goods wagons than locomotives. The only reason some steam engines got scrapped was because the yard didn't have enough wagons for the men to scrap after a while, and they needed to scrap locomotives to keep the workers employed. I read an interview with yard owner Dai Woodham where he said his help given to the steam preservation movement in the UK was unintentional, be that as it may the steam preservation movement should be giving him a lot of thanks, as wheather it was intentional or not, he gave them a lot of help, sometimes at his own expense

[@blairmacewancrosbie8646]

An absolute gem...how nostalgic and 44 years old itself.....

[@briantyler531]

This programme has a comfortable homely style to it. Michael Palin is every ones friend without pretentions and always in good humour. I liked the style and tempo of this programme, it was easy watching and a little nostalgic.

[@at1212b]

As a kid in the 80s and growing up w documentaries like this, I like it better the overproduced documentaries today.

[@mervyndrage3507]

Yes

[@eclectarama]

Palin also manages not to use hideously over-worked superlatives 'wow' or 'amazing' once.

[@eclectarama]

A H The absence of gaudy jacket/trouser combinations is an additional benefit here.

[@ridefast0]

@@eclectarama Same initials though?! And, in the other series, it was wonderful to see an ex-employee of the Swindon Railway Works challenge the other MP as a part of the government that closed it!

[@thomaselliott573]

What a wonderful treasure this man is. Endearing and incomparably comparable to us lovely people. How simple life can be

[@anaahmed4975]

I would bestow 'Sainthood' on Michael. Very well deserved.

[@MrGoblin60]

I was so enamored with this show when it was aired that it inspired me to make this very rail journey several years later. The icing on the cake for me was to present my train-mad brother with a photo of the Kyle of Lochalsh station sign when I returned to Australia.

[@supertramp6011]

I live very close to Kyle of Lochalsh, and travelled often on that line! Greetings from Scotland mate!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👌

[@MrGoblin60]

@@supertramp6011 Thanks Super. I should also mention how much I enjoyed travelling around Scotland, especially the more remote parts in the Highlands, the west coast and visiting historic locations and cities. Lovely country and people.

[@anaahmed4975]

@@MrGoblin60 thanks for bucket list addition.

[@welshlad6427]

The best Travel presenter ever. Loved Around The World in 80 days and Pole To Pole. Never knew about this journey but Michael is just as good here. Legend ❤️

[@acquiesce100]

This was the documentary Clem Vallance saw that made him want Michael for Around The World in 80 Days. You probably knew that already though.

[@frederickvondinkerberg7721]

When he came out with his Himalaya series I went to buy the book and muppet behind the counter said "no but we have a book called 'Him-ar-lee-ar"...

[@AGGD767]

Michael Palin is a national treasure, I could listen to him talking about anything for hours on end His enthusiasm for trains, travel and so many things is more than matched by his quiet, engaging and very human manner, liberally sprinkled with good humor Another delight

[@freemarketjoe9869]

There's only one Michael Palin. funny as ever and makes thoroughly enjoyable travel movies. Excellent. Priceless.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

This series is oddly comforting.

[@cogidubnus1953]

My dad, a lifelong railwayman, always told me "if you're in trouble, remember the blokes will always look after you"...he died when I was twelve...when I was sixteen, and my mother away with the fairies, (as she always was after 1966), I illicitly travelled by train from Brighton to Blackpool and got stranded there...I confided in a railwayman and he and his missus put me up for the night, (thank you Michael if you're still around)...so yes the "blokes" saved my skin...

[@marknestbox]

A touching reminder of times when, as a biker, I more than once broke down and was broke myself, and stranded many miles from home. It happened several times in fact, and by mere chance on each occasion I met with affable strangers who gave me a meal, a bed, and indescribable hospitality and kindness, and all of them asked if I needed money! (I did as there was no fuel in the tank) and I later sent it back in postal orders. It also otherwise occurred as a long distance walker that I found myself in dire need of static shelter - I did have a good tent and duck-down sleeping bag but the cold was unbearable, even with a fire. On such occasions I have slept on the padded bench seats of country inns (half-cut); in farm houses (now 'Manors') - even after being caught trespassing by the owner, and once, was offered an upstairs bed in a 16th century croft, - or could, should I wish to have greater privacy, take my sleep in their touring caravan that had its own lavatory. I opted for the latter, excusing my preference by being, as I explained, a snoring somnambulist. In the morning, the Lady of the croft came knocking at my gifted palatial abode with a huge (massive) fry-up of everything imaginable ~ bacon, steaklets, a tasty smoked German sausage; eggs, fried onions, mushrooms, beans, hash browns, fried tomato. On opening the door my jaw hit the floor. 'You're not allergic to anything - are you?' She asked. Barely able to splutter through my own dribble I wanted to say, facetiously, 'where are the chips', but decorum and common sense dictated that I gently snatched the proffered and invite my host and chef inside her property... 'Oh no need. You will likely more than enjoy your own company with that plate than with some distraction like me across the table as you eat... Enjoy...' She wandered off with a nonchalant wave of the hand back down the long gravelled drive, laughing all the way. I never did see her again. Sadly. All of the above is in an autobiography titled Odyssey Of An Oddity, Unpublished

[@barryleslie7727]

Wow, that's amazing. I don't know if the world is like that anymore. Things really changed when people started wringing cash out of our institutions. Your story really made me smile though. Thank you!

[@mottthehoople693]

@@marknestbox well publish it!!!It sounds a good read

[@wonderrob3225]

cogidubnus1953 "When I was sixteen, and my mother away with the Fairies..." That's a lovely sad, evocative sentence. You're an excellent writer. Thanks for sharing your story Cheers!

[@sem-zs3nl]

"The blokes will always look after you" could easily be a quote from my grandmother. Her Dad was, also, a lifelong railwayman - Started as a porter on the LBSCR in 1917, aged 14, and finished up as a Guard out of Lover's Walk. Although much has changed on the railways I do still live by that and many is the time that railway staff have helped me out, even if just for phone calls home. In recent years I've become a volunteer porter on a heritage railway - I like to feel that we carry on that tradition and the feeling of camaraderie that I'm told was so prevalent on the railways way back when. Rail travel might be less exciting, interesting and friendly than it was then, but occasionally glimmers of the old ways shine through.

[@verabolton]

Two adverts in every 2,5 minutes makes this wonderful video completely unenjoyable.

[@TheKievKen]

KZbin premium is the way to go. Believe me, it's worth it.

[@verabolton]

@@TheKievKen No way! I'm not giving my money to this platform. Nope, never. Ever.

[@craigdoon]

@@TheKievKen yes indeed - my guilty pleasure. i couldnt go back to ads!

[@charliebadger]

A lovely time capsule of the UK in 1980.

[@whyFreezer]

I watched this so many times when I was a kid, and then never again. Until now. This feels like seeing an old friend again.

[@DarrenKidd]

Me too. I can't believe I'm watching it again some 30 odd years later. I was really chuffed when I came across this on You Tube this evening!

[@awesomegamer31]

My first time ever seeing this... Was redirected from another of Palin's series and am glad I took that click. A great watch I must say...

[@dabsan]

I also watched this countless times when I was a kid on an old grainy video cassette recording, great to see it again after such a long time.

[@TheJacaranda01]

I remember watching this beautiful documentary with my steam train mad three year old son on my knee. He's thirty three now. Sorry, I seem to have a lump in my throat for some reason...

[@GERUNIMO25]

Yup, I believe I wore out the VHS tape :D

[@gordonvincent731]

When Michael Palin did around the world in 80 days by train, he rode the LA to Las Vegas Amtrak train #36, I was the engineer. Towards the end of the program, when they were coupling up the engines to the train, you can see me in the shot, then walking to the engines. We had 2 engines, so we couldn't have Michael in the cab with us.

[@ek7593]

Wow, that is quite a nice memory!! :)

[@gordonvincent731]

@@ek7593 My 15 seconds of fame, lol.

[@ek7593]

@@gordonvincent731 Doesn´t matter. I have been behind the Iron curtain then and wished I would have been involved like you! Greetings from sunny Portugal :)

[@gordonvincent731]

@@ek7593 Thanks for your reply. Seems like you have had an interesting life, I hope not all bad. My nephew dates a beautiful young lady who was born and raised in East Germany and she told me she had nothing but good memories of her life then.

[@ek7593]

@@gordonvincent731: Germany is beautiful, but maybe I could be the young lady´s Granny :) Me and my hubby have been imprisoned by the Stasi in early 80ies. Horrible. It happened to 1000´s of people over decades, sold to West-Germany for money, because we have been the critical mass of the communist dictatorship. We left Germany later and never regretted it. Although, roots are still there :) Love to you!

[@danielaszkenasy8453]

In my opinion, the original and the best Michael Palin travel documentary.

[@NxDoyle]

I think "original" is beyond dispute.

[@Stibsyt]

Not a single piece to camera in the whole film. All about the subject, not the presenter. Just a great script, delivered at a perfect pace, plenty of room for the pictures to do the talking. What a refreshing change to watch this style of presentation again.

[@fourtoes412]

Palin knows how to make a great documentary.

[@scroggins100]

Thank you very much. Enjoyed that. I wish the BBC still made simple films like this.

[@hjr2000]

They never would. Too many white people in it.

[@spmoran4703]

​@@hjr2000And not WOKE enough

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

​@@spmoran4703Trains not Trans.

[@marklee7565]

Big respect to the two drivers in the HST cab Charlie Crock and Lincoln Emmerson.....two Gateshead men whom are sadly no longer with us!

[@ritualentertainment]

I'm assuming Charlie Crock is the driver with the pipe and large mustache. An amazing air of Northman upon him. May he RIP.

[@Travelling_about]

Dad was a driver at Gateshead new them both well

[@imyourhuckleberry357]

In the United States, these railroad men are called *old heads".. I guess I am one now, 30 years as a Locomotive Engineer with BNSF Railway,prior Santa Fe Railroad.

[@acquiesce100]

Wow. Thanks, Mark. Always wanted to know their names for some reason.

[@acquiesce100]

@mark. Thanks for sharing. Who is the guy with the earphones standing?

[@gazza2933]

Michael is one of the great documentary narrators. Right up there with Sir David Attenborough. Thanks for posting this video. 👍🏻

[@RadekPogoda]

Love the easy pace and subtle humor.

[@JewelKnightJess]

What an enjoyable documentary this was! It felt so personal and you could feel Michael's love for the railways. I used to love the steam trains when I was young, and was a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine. I think they'll always have a special place in the heart of Brits.

[@canusdominici]

Great stuff. Documentaries of this time are so much better than the over hyped rubbish today.

[@lindapirie7021]

I love this. Train journeys with beautiful countryside are superb, and Michael Palin is so knowledgeable. His commentary is both educational and interesting. He goes at just the right pace, and is friendly and polite to everyone he encounters.

[@johnmurray8428]

Still one of the best Railway programmes ever made. Saw this for the first time in North Carolina in 1983, just happy to see it again.

My train spotting days, I miss them. After all this time I have still got this on VHS video tape. Where have all the years gone ?

[@duxberry1958]

Gazza B if you can still get out theres still a lot to see ...

[@lindsaypeterholden2701]

Brilliant timeless classic no wonder this guy went on to be one of the great presenters

[@pendragon6207]

This documentary was the reason that Palin was considered for Around the World in 80 Days, so an added bonus to an already excellent view ^^

[@TheMissKittyStar]

Whoever uploaded this, thank you so much.xx

[@p33l3r]

Priceless

[@chrishodges1260]

I always watched this as a kid at my Grandparents house. Nothing makes me feel more nostalgic! The music at 5:08 gets me every time. In 2017 I traveled with a friend to Scotland (Inspired by this program and my love for trains and the Scottish countryside) we flew into Inverness, took the train to the Kyle, and the bus to Skye. Then, after a week, got the ferry to Mallaig and caught the train all the way to Glasgow via Fort William. It was a trip to remember. Palin has to be an all time great, I was so pleased to see him knighted recently; he is probably the greatest memory of my childhood I have.

[@tattybanter1048]

Chris Hodges yeah that tune is so touching, shame there’s no evidence of it anywhere else 😢

[@acquiesce100]

Great story and very similar to me. I used to watch it all the time at my grandparents house in the 80's. i was going to do the same journey with my dad but he passed away. What was was it like doing the journey compared to how it looked back in 1980? The train from Inverness to the Kyle looks more clinical (business like) nowadays. If I do it am thinking of doing what you did and fly to Inverness.

[@chris.hodges_gb]

@@acquiesce100 Sorry to hear that. Yes it did feel a little less romantic than it looked in this. The last third is still beautiful though. Worth doing if you combine it with Skye. The route from Mallaig to Glasgow was more spectacular though. That route is not to be missed.

[@chris.hodges_gb]

@@tattybanter1048 Indeed.

[@steamgent4592]

My introduction to British steam in the States. I still adore it the locomotives are so lovely with graceful lines, polished brass etc. My favorite like Mike's is the Stanier Black 5 because of this film and other Midland locomotives. Even own my own Stanier hooter amongst many other Midland items. As Mike says "it started a love affair thats lost it ever since." He was right 40 yrs later and almost 50 years of age British steam is still my favorite steam. Yes American steam and larger and more powerful but lack the grace and elligance of British steam. Miles Kingtons Steam Days addicted me to even more when those came out especially 4 cylinders locos both LMS and GWR. Now with age I've delved into the pregrouping companies and their locomotives. But back in my youth there was only the Big Four!! Great programme and I still love it

[@brendansheerin8980]

One of the two nicest train journeys i have taken were boston to new york and then new york to Washington dc

[@andrewford2783]

I'm a 'Misty-Eyed' Welshman after watching such a delightful programme again.... Just a 40 year gap from watching it for the first time on the BBC. I have a story to tell. In 1987, for our second wedding aniversary, I booked two tickets from East Croydon ticket office for a special day out for my wife and myself - a return Steam trip to Stratford upon Avon from Marylebone station. She didn't know what was planned! We arrived at Marylebone from our house in Upper Norwood, and walking down to the platform wisps of steam started to appear and the unmistakeable hissing sound of a living, breathing steam loco and, unknown to me when I booked it, not just any old beautiful loco, it was 4472 Flying Scotsman!!! I couldn't believe it- how lucky was I. To be pulled along by the MOST famous, iconic engine in the world. We set off from Marylebone and from builders hanging off scaffolding, people waving from balconies, people sitting on walls, children waving from level-crossings,everyone who knew it was coming along made a special effort to greet us. we both felt very special. Sunday lunch was served on board. Silver service with waiters in little tight fitting white jackets - eating roast beef watching the world go by was amazing. We got to Stratford, had two hours to look around before getting back to the station. We arrived at the station early so I could look around the engine, and to my absolute amazement, the green of Flying Scotsman had been replaced by another engine, Not just any old engine - it was MALLARD!!!!!! WHAT, am I dreaming???? Mallard was taking us back to London?? That beautiful, streamlined blue shining machine, it was alive - hissing and the occasional snort of steam. The SECOND most famous Loco in the world - two in one day! We pulled away from Stratford and had afternoon tea on board, silver service again. All too soon we arrived back in London. It certainly was a day to remember.

[@WendywdjnyJ]

what wonderful memories :)

[@doddy11767]

Great days.... when you could watch something like this and not have an advert every two minutes!!!

[@dancedecker]

Probably my favourite railway programme of all time. Beautifully filmed, with just the right amount of pathos and humour and the utterly stunning music. The section with the Skye Line at around 50 minutes in, is sheer perfection in my mind at least. The haunting tune whilst describing the Valley of Drizzle and The Black Water, is beautiful. I think this is the first such travel log that Michael ever did and perhaps it's excellence, paved the way for so many more that were not only ground breaking, but so very popular, such as Pole to Pole and may even have spawned an offshoot, with the Bradshaw's guide one's of Great Railway Journeys with another Michael... Portillo. Anyway, whatever the truth,... truly excellent.

[@acquiesce100]

It’s my favourite too and I became obsessed with this programme. It was perfection.

[@dancedecker]

@@acquiesce100 I fully agree.

[@acquiesce100]

@@dancedecker The UK looked so beautiful back in the summer of 1980? i watch this documentary when I can't face all the news on TV. Did you know all was not as it seemed in this documentary? It was highly edited and some of the stations which appear are in the wrong order? A friend of mine who also adored this programme; who is a heavy rail enthusiast did some very extensive research on this episode as it was his favourite too. For example; Where Michael approaches Durham, the station which appears is actually 28 miles north of Newcastle. There any many other discrepancies, however, whoever did the editing did a marvellous job to make it the masterpiece it is.

[@dancedecker]

@@acquiesce100 Oh I'm sure it is as you described, having been involved with tv, radio and films on and off for over thirty years,I am well versed as to how it's all "engineered" to look and sound better than it is, but I am willing to ignore the relatively small amount of "fiddling" they did with it, as to me at least, the end result, justified the means. Just the electronic music and Michael:s narrative as that lone diesel hauls that rake and observation coach through those dark Scottish lakes, on the Skye Line, allows me to forgive them just about anything. But I do appreciate your kind input. Cheers.

[@acquiesce100]

@@dancedecker Totally agree. The finished job was just perfection as was the music too. I also loved the scenes with the observation car and the music to accompany it was just sheer delightful. I often wonder what happened to the lady who served him the tea on the train departing from Euston. I was hoping she may have seen this and posted a message. I wonder what would happen if Michael did a remake of this journey? I can't help but feel it would be nowhere near as magical as the original for many, many reasons. Lovely talking to you about this documentary.

[@jb6027]

I love the music in this video.

[@TerryTheNewsGirl]

The music on this is absolutely stunning. I just wish someone could release as an album with the lovely music from Derry to Kerry, which is just as gorgeous and written by the same bloke.

[@bjenny]

Yes! who did the soundtrack?

[@villarule]

Ian Lynn ​@@bjenny

[@mrFalconlem]

Love that BBC Radiophonic synthesizer intro.

[@bjenny]

Did we know how to find the soundtrack?

[@Mattube1964]

Two Michaels were the inspiration for my trip around the UK by rail in 2019. Michael Palin and this film was the first and Michael Portillo’s tv series was the second. Had the greatest holiday doing it too.

[@neilfurby555]

The comments are as wonderful as the journey, Mr Palin has enriched so many lives in the best possible way. What a wonderful achievement 😊

[@tncorgi92]

Thanks for this, I always enjoy anything with Michael Palin.

[@johnfoster6765]

The sequence of the Flying Scotsman from 16 mins in.... Just wonderful... Images.... music and Palin's words.... Marvellous

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

truly epic to watch! .,..breathtaking scenes and lovely lush green landscapes....how relaxing indeed!

[@robin231176]

"There was a short period when I was interested in girls"..love it!

[@sem-zs3nl]

Some of us have, regrettably only managed so far on that score. I'm probably equally interested in both railways and ladies (Actually railways probably still win out on that one...) but neither are ever much interested in me!

[@linojakobsen7737]

@@sem-zs3nl Like my psychoanalyst would say: Trains... hmmm... those long things going in and out of those narrow holes...

[@andrewp1075]

"Crewe, a train spotters dream......Crewe's built thousands of locomotives and miles of rolling stock, and in common with other great railway towns; like Darlington and Doncaster, runs a football team almost permanently at the bottom of the 4th division" Michael Palin Such a fantastic observation, it's as if he read my mind😂😂😂

[@a.tanner8524]

And still holds true to this day!

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

​​@@a.tanner8524 League 2...Crewe virtually bottom, Swindon not much higher, Doncaster near the top...so they are all still living up to their reputations! Only Derby are doing better, in the Championship...

[@1tonyboat]

This was certainly worth the time to watch...some fantastic memories and i bet that railway sign is worth a bit now ...Good old Michael ..

[@BROADTRAIN1979]

Fantastic remember watching this in October of 1980, WHERE HAVE THE YEARS GONE? I WAS 14 THEN Great 1980 series.

[@stevie65able]

Some days, I feel the same way. Turned 15 in 1980, and it still seems like yesterday in some ways. A great sense of nostalgia watching this.

[@1001Dunky]

Beautiful documentary. Watched it over and over as a young lad. Makes me nostalgic! I remember the original had the proper Beatles 'and I love her' not a cover. Wish I could download some of the music from this especially the piece showing the Flying Scotsman from Manchester to York.

[@HarvestHome2000]

8:20 - approaching Watford Gap, one of the most significant places in British transport history. At one point you have the Roman Watling Street (the modern A5), the Grand Union Canal, the West Coast Main Line and the M1 all within a quarter of a mile.

[@StephiSensei26]

Some kids never grow up,...and thank goodness for that! Thanks Michael!

[@A1Motivator]

I defy any Native of Gt. Britain Male or Female, to watch this super well crafted video, and not feel a warm glow of pride in being British. Palin and the film crew have made a wonderful journey filled with beauty. Information of substance, knowledge of value and images that will stay in mind for ever. Thank you!

[@MawieStevens]

Superb.. nostalgia on steroids.

[@madgebishop5409]

what a fantastic synth soundtrack, probably sounded cheesy maybe 10 years after this was made but now 40 years later it sounds cool again.

[@george474747]

So tragic they've been forced to remove the Beatles track (And I Love Her) @9:43 though. That was a mesmeric sequence...

[@george474747]

(I think it was Mark Wynter's version?)

[@Bluenose352]

@@george474747 I wondered if it was a Copyright issue when the piano score started playing.

[@davidjames38589]

@@george474747 In broadcast it was the original; I have a copy of it on VHS from when WNED Buffalo played it. Expect the licensing fee was too high for home video.

[@voornaam3191]

You don't know what you got, till it's gone. Old trains, old fashion, we love it all far too late. Wonder who will love our time. They're crazy.

[@williamgeorgefraser]

This was the greatest episode of the whole series. I recorded it when it came out but don't have my old VHS player now. Thanks for this. The excitement when he crosses the Forth Bridge is great. I lived in Fife and worked in Waverley station in the early 70s. Even knew the porter he talked to. Those were the days. I had a BR pass that gave me 25% fares. In 72, I did a weekend from Edinburgh to King's Cross, Paddington to Cardiff, trip to Barry for Woodham's scrapyard, and Cardiff to Edinburgh. It cost me £3. A 1 week Freedom of Britain ticket cost £19. By the way, most of the engines shown in Barry scrapyard were bought and preserved and many are running on preserved lines today.

[@acquiesce100]

Which porter did you know? Was it the guy at Inverness station he spoke to or the one at Kyle of Lochalsh where he got the old sign? What was his name?

[@27jamesandrew]

This is brilliant, watched this so many times as a child and still watch it at least once a week now. Similar to Branchline Railway, also introduced by MP, The Train Now Departing and Steam Days. Films from a forgotten time, we don’t make these kind of programs anymore.

[@ritualentertainment]

I studied this trip and mapped it out. I’m hoping to recreate it myself after the lockdown when things are safer and easier. It would be great to see the changes all the way through.

[@chascarpenter5006]

Good luck, hope you have a wonderful time.

[@acquiesce100]

Zaid. I did the same 12 years ago.

[@davidjames38589]

Of all the trips in the series, this one probably changed the least - though in a delicious irony, Flying Scotsman and LMS 5428 are probably the ones whose careers have changed the least since then.

[@acquiesce100]

Zaid, I'll join you. Let's do it.

[@kiwitrainguy]

I did the reverse trip in 1987: Glasgow, Fort William, Mallaig, Isle of Skye, Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness, Dundee, Newcastle.

[@todorradic]

Pure nostalgia, back to a much less complicated, more straightforward life. Great to see, I watched this when I was a child, brought back some great memories

[@EEWW2006]

The rather poignant and sad footage of woodhams scrapyard is softened by the knowledge that every locomotive was saved for preservation. Thank you for this, i remember watching this aged 11 on first broadcast

[@hughcdavies]

I also watched it when first transmitted and loved seeing it again. Used to sail out of Barry in the 70s & 80s, drove past the scrapyard many times to get to the yacht club. Sad to see the rust then, but in the end probably more survived than if BR had just cut them up themselves.

[@andrewford2783]

I went to Barry sidings and took lots of shots of the once alive Locos. Thought I was David Bailey (Who do you think you are, David Bailey? as seen in a 1980's tv advert)

[@alexroselle]

I remember watching a home videotape of this as a kid, watching it again here is a special kind of nostalgia. Thanks for uploading!

[@fatwalletboy2]

35 years on.......be nice if Michael redid this journey to show the changed face of the railway and its surroundings in 2015/2016.

[@jamesrobinson9194]

fatwalletboy2 Even 2017! or HS2 if it ever gets built?!

[@lb-wr8vn]

I actually did the whole route last summer had a amazing time.

[@mudduck1332]

I kind of did follow Palin's journey in 2018. I took trains from London to Kyle of Lochalsh. Had an absolute blast doing it too! I did not go to Manchester, or the North York Moors Railway, but I will next time I go to England! I rode trains for a grand total of 3,200 miles in 18 days I think.

[@blueqeloxxx]

ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE. I HALF EXPECTED MICHAEL TO START HOPPING!

[@sweetypie28]

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[@2.7petabytes]

Watching Michael Palins old adventure shows including this one fills me with such nostalgia! Hearing his commentary, hearing the old synthesizer soundtracks reminds me of seeing this and his Pole to Pole, etc. of when I was a kid here in the states and watching this stuff second hand on PBS; on a Black and White TV my electrician dad had modified so it only got PBS. Good memories!

[@sschmidtevalue]

Two things I enjoy, rolled together: Michael Palin's travelogues and trains!

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

What a fabulous find on KZbin, and how ironic that the HST's are now all but confined to history...such is 'progress'.

[@thunderpussy8956]

I lived two minutes from the station at Kyle and was a train nut when I was wee. I was desperate to become a train driver when I grew up and my dad near shat a kidney when I told him that! He said girls weren't supposed to drive trains. I became a nurse in the end, but I adore the class 37 locos and would sell my soul to Satan for a wee jaunt in one again. Unfortunately, the only trains we have up here are those daft wee sprinter things that arrived when I was 11. I live just outside Kyle now but my folks' house is still beside the station. I miss hearing the old locos starting up in the morning and smelling the exhaust fumes....I sniffed so much diesel exhaust it's no wonder I still hanker after them! I have to sniff my husband's tractor exhaust for a fix but it's just not the same!

[@Trek001]

Well if you happen to visit the NRM on some summer weekends, they do Driver for a Fiver trips using a Class 37 from the museum buildings right up to the gates leading to the main line

[@BritishRailProductions]

Go to the West Somerset Railway on a Early Morning before a Diesel Gala god that smell is a Sensation.

[@british_sports_car]

I’d like to sniff my wife’s tractor horse box and her tights

[@WILLYBREATH_v]

@@british_sports_car go straight to horny jail do not pass go do not collect £200

[@thomaselliott573]

I rode a motorbike through their and up to Aultbea at around this time, so I know you are a sweetie. Thanks for reminding me and keeping my heart alive

[@ps9743]

So cool!!! Thanks for putting this up. I remember bunch of travel documentaries Palin did. Would love to see more

[@2many2say]

Michael Palin's a charmer, especially with the lady from battersby junction.

[@1001Dunky]

Just think that lovely lady on the train in Scotland must be 135 odd now! I'm sure she still does the journey in spirit. :-)

[@SuperEverton1976]

i hope im doing that journey in spirit when im 135 odd too :)

[@manfredwilliams9762]

140 now, and still going strong.

[@garymcgregor7048]

Brilliant to watch after all these years. Happy happy memories 👍👍

[@timwattison4419]

What a fab crank Michael Palin is. When it's in your blood it never leaves. Whether it Steam, Diesel or Electric, (Diesel for me) it's surely a passion that I will take to my grave with memories of fun, Deltic's, 50's, 40's, 37's, Peaks, Western's, you name it, they all had a special character and attraction. Oh for a Tardis to take me back to the 1970's 😔

[@37201xoim]

Indeed - but to me one of the things that most dates this (and this series), as charming as it certainly is, is that in those days it was universally assumed that everybody agreed only steam trains were of real interest and diesel / electric were soulless. When I first watched this, and the others in the series, at the age of 10 or 11, I remembering feeling truly indignant... as indeed I still do now! Just how cute is that little baby Sulzer on load 2 on the Mallaig - Fort William in the closing sequence?!

[@daviddavid1346]

Whenever I wish to watch relaxing informative TV with some comic narrative I search for a Michael Palin Documentary. He could talk about watching Paint Dry and make it interesting 👏

[@Rochie1026]

He's such a dork I love him

[@DandamanV]

especially at 30:05

[@Bahamas-rd8le]

Dandaman V it’s true...

[@gazza2933]

A very funny man and if you watch a lot of his travel series a great communicator too!

[@phillipphinney206]

And one of the nicest , sweet and kind people you could ever meet. I was blessed to meet him at a book signing for "Full Circle" in 1997. Every bit the gentleman and the only Python I have had the honor to have met.

[@Chasworth]

How dare you

[@jacknyhof8507]

Thought this was great video. Very Entertaining and a great start. I'm only 13 and its amazing how much things have changed from now to the time the video was filmed to then, and its amazing to see a perspective of steam from the late 60's. I personally have always loved trains and now I have the pleasure of volunteering at a heritage railway as part of the new generation of steam preservation.

[@sem-zs3nl]

Keeping the flag flying - Given the time since you posted (5 years) we're probably about the same age so it's always encouraging to hear of other younger volunteers.

[@debbieramsey-hanks3757]

So, important and heartwarming evokes my memories of running up the grassy hill when the train whistle blew. I was thrilled to greet my grandfather the engineer his train traveling between marble quarries . Beautiful marble.from then AlabamaUSA, possibly a universal memory. Thank you

[@amfwelsh]

Watched all of his documentaries. Just love his style and passion

[@anapaulatillman.6133]

Amazing the connection with the past that these videos can give us, like when Michael is talking to that lovely lady born in 1881!

[@grahamcole3534]

Absolutely wonderful to see thisa again after so many years. I have had to make do with an audio cassette recording (I'm not word perfect, but having listened to it so many times, I'm not far away!) so this has been a brilliant reminder of how good the programme (and series) was. Thanks for posting it

[@riverhuntingdon6659]

I taped it on an ancient Ferguson Videostar VHS machine, and still have the tape. Happy days, and some classic traction too. Unlike today's new souless plastic trains.

[@thegundamguy]

I am so, so glad to have found this documentary. When I was 3 my dad recorded this on video tape for me and I used to watch it non stop. Fast forward many years and the tape was lost to time. I remembered snippets of music, scenes from the documentary and that but nothing substantial enough to find it. Now, by some sheer happenstance, I've found it and my memories of sitting alongside my dad watching this are flooding back. I know "And I love her" by the Beatles has been cut, but only because I remember my dad always playing it on his guitar when I watched this. Thank you, OP, for the memories.

[@hughrainbird43]

Brings back recollections of travelling on "blue era" BR trains in the 1980's. Regularly the taking the first "off peak" HST out of Kings Cross to Leeds after work on a Friday night to work for the weekend as a volunteer on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway ( all of £24 for a Saver Return back then), but taking week's holidays to use a "Rail Rover " ticket to explore the rest of the network. Catching a train early in the morning from St Pancras to Nottingham to connect with the only express train still working over the Settle & Carlisle, the Nottingham - Glasgow behind a "Peak" diesel (with a full fresh-cooked (not microwave-resuscitated) English breakfast in the restaurant car on the way). Visiting both the Kyle of Lochalsh and the West Highland lines, and trying to sleep on a Glasgow - Inverness night train in between! And visiting the "Far North" at Wick, as well. Magic memories. The Privatised railway of the 21st Century is rubbish compared with those days.

[@excelents]

08:55 Yorkshire Premier League 1922 ...Hagerty F., Hagerty R., Tomkins, Noble, Carrick, Dobson, Crapper, Dewhurst, MacIntyre, Treadmore, Davitt.

[@Martindyna]

Thanks for this gem from the past. I love the awesome signature music at the beginning.

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

This is fantastic. Love Michael palin carnt stop laughing 🚂

[@GBRailer]

Just love the Geordie driver and second man in "pork pie" hats, just like when I started on the job!

[@patrickstocks3576]

Happy 80th birthday 🍾🎉🎊🥳⭐️🎂 Michael Palin

[@timepoet77]

A good train journey can take the imagination to different realms, a new way to look at life. I remember my first real train ride in Oil City, PA, and watching Michael’s adventure brought that memory back. Then again, I first watched this on PBS as a young kid and even then, Michael subtly planted a seed in my psyche. The desire to see new places and things stemmed from him and all of Python.

[@arthurerickson5162]

This is video brings back so many memories! Somewhere, in the darkest section of a closet, in an old, forgotten cardboard box, are my VHS tapes of the entire series. I recorded them off the TV when first shown here in the US. Excuse me while I now go down the rabbit hole to first find the box, and then get hold of a VHS player so I can get them onto DVDs.

[@villarule]

memories of watching this at my grandparents 25 years ago on VHS. Fantastic!

[@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789]

Lovely. Straight down memory lane, and no mistake.

[@michaeldavies9600]

That was brilliant thank you for sharing this,i loved every second :)

[@nibunibu4254]

At 6.00, 21p for a coffee. Outrageous!

[@ede_421]

I used to watch this as a kid. This brings back great memories. Thanks Sam B.

[@johnledingham852]

I can watch this over and over again.