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Manchester Piccadilly to Silkstone Common

Michael Portillo's journey continues from Manchester. He comes face to face with the Victorian scientist who invented modern atomic theory.

Michael Portillo's journey from the Irish Sea to the North Sea continues by tram from Manchester. At the imposing town hall of the world's first industrial city, Michael comes face to face with the Victorian scientist who invented modern atomic theory. He then heads to the city's National Graphene Institute, where he learns to make the groundbreaking material invented there by two Nobel Prize-winning scientists. His Bradshaw's leads him to an 18th-century settlement built by refugees from Europe.

Next, deep underground at Standedge, Michael discovers an ambitious Victorian engineering marvel. At Silkstone Common, he tracks down the forge where a Victorian metallurgist created wrought iron axles strong enough for railway rolling stock and is delighted to discover the works operates its own miniature train.

29 minutes

Music Played

  • Jewel

    Interlude Mes Soirees (Feat. K Fear, Fredo)

  • Impious

    Dark Closure

  • Impious

    The Confession

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Portillo
Series Producer Alison Kreps
Executive Producer John Comerford
Production Company Boundless Productions

Broadcasts

Steam railway programmes on 91热爆 iPlayer

A collection of programmes from the 91热爆 archives on the beauty of steam locomotives.