Great British Railway Journeys Series 7

[Mikey C]

Haha, I probably would if it was one minute's walk from the station and the five star hotel was half an hour away .

Weren't there any "Dog & Duck" type places in Bradshaw's day?

The historic places he stays at are usually near the Railway station. Indeed most Travelodges and similar tend to be out of town, by an industrial estate or on the ring road!

 

[marks87]

The historic places he stays at are usually near the Railway station. Indeed most Travelodges and similar tend to be out of town, by an industrial estate or on the ring road!

Not always. Plenty of places have Travelodges, Premier Inns, Holiday Inns etc. in central locations. Indeed, they're generally called "<Location> Central".

 

[Cletus]

I think the reasoning is that Portillo stays at traditional "station hotels" if he stayed at a Travelodge, etc that would soon get the traditionalists complaining. Not good TV either!

 

[gavin]

Quick reminder GBRJ returns tonight at 18:30

 

[fairysdad]

I think the reasoning is that Portillo stays at traditional "station hotels" if he stayed at a Travelodge, etc that would soon get the traditionalists complaining. Not good TV either!

But what would happen if the traditional station hotel had been bought by Travelodge or Premier Inn?

 

[HLE]

But what would happen if the traditional station hotel had been bought by Travelodge or Premier Inn?

Cover the signs up!

 

[northwichcat]

Of course one thing to remember is there were no connecting road services at the time of the guide so sometimes he appears somewhere a few miles from the station with no mention of how he got there. In the case of when he was in Gibraltar he must have made a 22km road trip from Algeciras given the ferry service which existed at the time of his guide had been withdrawn. He could have even used a Portillo bus to make it but obviously it was decided to avoid using buses even if one saying Portillo on the side is available.
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I think the reasoning is that Portillo stays at traditional "station hotels" if he stayed at a Travelodge, etc that would soon get the traditionalists complaining. Not good TV either!

I wonder where he'll stay in Knutsford on Thursday's episode given The Royal George hotel was sold to developers a few years back and was turned in to shops, a restaurant and offices.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I wonder where he'll stay in Knutsford on Thursday's episode given The Royal George hotel was sold to developers a few years back and was turned in to shops, a restaurant and offices.

He could stay one stop down the line at the Golden Pheasant next to Plumley Station, decent food and accommodation, I think it was built as either the Railway or Station Inn when originally opened.

 

[northwichcat]

He could stay one stop down the line at the Golden Pheasant next to Plumley Station, decent food and accommodation, I think it was built as either the Railway or Station Inn when originally opened.

That's a very nice traditional pub unlike many of the ones in Knutsford which the 'Mooney Empire' of David and Matthew Mooney have converted/are converting in the modern high end pubs, which include The Cross Keys and the Rose 'N Crown* but not The Angel.

The Goshawk in Mouldsworth is nice as well serving mainly beers from Cheshire and North Wales but I don't think they have rooms.

* That is the 'new' name they've given it despite the incorrect punctuation.

 

[Requeststop]

Of course one thing to remember is there were no connecting road services at the time of the guide so sometimes he appears somewhere a few miles from the station with no mention of how he got there. In the case of when he was in Gibraltar he must have made a 22km road trip from Algeciras given the ferry service which existed at the time of his guide had been withdrawn. He could have even used a Portillo bus to make it but obviously it was decided to avoid using buses even if one saying Portillo on the side is available.
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I wonder where he'll stay in Knutsford on Thursday's episode given The Royal George hotel was sold to developers a few years back and was turned in to shops, a restaurant and offices.

He could sleep in the doorways as many have to do these days. Now that would be good viewing the next day, especially in his bright yellow trousers and pink jacket!

 

[northwichcat]

He could sleep in the doorways as many have to do these days. Now that would be good viewing the next day, especially in his bright yellow trousers and pink jacket!

If he hadn't recorded it so far in advance he could have squatted here: http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/14156775.Tatton_Tories_move_out_of_iconic_Conservative_Club

 

[Ash Bridge]

That's a very nice traditional pub unlike many of the ones in Knutsford which the 'Mooney Empire' of David and Matthew Mooney have converted/are converting in the modern high end pubs, which include The Cross Keys and the Rose 'N Crown* but not The Angel.

The Goshawk in Mouldsworth is nice as well serving mainly beers from Cheshire and North Wales but I don't think they have rooms.

* That is the 'new' name they've given it despite the incorrect punctuation.

Heard good things about the Goshawk at Mouldsworth, one we intend to visit in the future, I think the Golden Pheasant would make a good Forum Meet destination with good links to both Chester, Stockport & Manchester, convenient for you or I certainly.

 

[marks87]

"Are you feeling lucky?"

 

[Altfish]

I can assure you that The Howard Arms in Brampton (where he stayed in the first episode in this series) is NOT 5-star. It did have some nice beer on sale when I was there 12-months ago though.

 

[ItsGrimUpNorth]

Footage showing a 3 car 158 when it said he was heading to Brampton? Try a 2 car 142!

Also showed him crossing the bridge at Brampton, there's nothing on the opposite side. No mention that the station is a good mile and a half out the town itself?

The Howard Arms isn't too bad, had a few ales there before.

 

[Clip]

His attire is certainly getting worse with each series. But good episode tonight. Also liked the hastily arranged Virgin trains poster when he was inside Carlisle. Ive not noticed before but Im guessing the way it was hung its not normally there?

 

[Crossover]

Didn't notice the poster!

Good first episode last night, but as pointed out by Clip, how can anyone think pink trousers with a minutely different shade of pink shirt is a good idea

 

[Hamrio]

Looking forward to this on BBC. We have a great number of images to view plus some video at steamlibrary.co.uk, most free to download for personal use.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Looking forward to this on BBC. We have a great number of images to view plus some video at steamlibrary.co.uk, most free to download for personal use.

I was about to tell you off for spamming this thread but then I searched your site and found some lovely vintage photos of the old Exe Valley Railway so I'll let you off!

 

[Iskra]

I like how he chooses the 156 over the 142 at Carlisle

 

[Tubeboy]

I don't mind Portillo really. He comes across as a fairly affable character and it's all good, clean fun. I agree that some episodes are made to a tried and tested format and can appear generic especially if you've watched every episode. I'd like to see him do a full series in North America.

You've got your wish. A 15 episode series on American railway journeys with Portillo airs this Summer.

 

[aelius]

There's a beautiful aerial view today of Oxenholme station showing two Class 185 coming in to Oxenholme-one from the Windermere branch and one from the north. But the one from the north seems to be on the wrong track. The down track to Carlisle and would be coming into Platform 2, instead of 1. Either it was a day of emergency workings or the film has been reversed. It was really of two trains leaving Oxenholme to Windermere and Carlisle instead of coming into Oxenholme. Presumably it was done because Michael was supposed to be changing trains there. It's really interesting to see sometimes what the directors do to tell the story they want.

 

[D1009]

There's a beautiful aerial view today of Oxenholme station showing two Class 185 coming in to Oxenholme-one from the Windermere branch and one from the north. But the one from the north seems to be on the wrong track. The down track to Carlisle and would be coming into Platform 2, instead of 1. Either it was a day of emergency workings or the film has been reversed. It was really of two trains leaving Oxenholme to Windermere and Carlisle instead of coming into Oxenholme. Presumably it was done because Michael was supposed to be changing trains there. It's really interesting to see sometimes what the directors do to tell the story they want.

There have been many occasions of this going on which railway people will easily spot. Unfortunately the producers of the series don't care particularly about it, as it's aimed at a wider audience.

 

[exile]

It strikes me that many of the places he visits can't be reached by train (eg Honister Pass - not sure there's even a bus that goes that way!)

 

[Clip]

It strikes me that many of the places he visits can't be reached by train (eg Honister Pass - not sure there's even a bus that goes that way!)

I think you may have missed the crux of the series in that he follows Bradshaws guide which takes him to places such as the slate mine - which IIRC had the old Keswick railway near by or something didn't it?

 

[exile]

It's 10 miles from Keswick. I just think it's stretching the concept of "railway journey" a little too far. What next - Somerset and Dorset? Hawick to Carlisle?

 

[reb0118]

Seemingly he was seen on a rail replacement bus from Auckinleck to New Cumnock on Hogmanay. Somebody might be able to post a link...........

 

[northwichcat]

A preview of his jacket colour for tomorrow's episode:

 

[misterredmist]

I think it is a superb series , me and the missus always wonder what colour scheme he'll be patrolling around in on any given day......he's given ourselves ideas on rail trips which we've pursued, I wonder how many other people he's encouraged to get out on to the railway ?

very educational and interesting over many facets IMHO

 

[marks87]

It's 10 miles from Keswick. I just think it's stretching the concept of "railway journey" a little too far. What next - Somerset and Dorset? Hawick to Carlisle?

When Bradshaws' guide was written, both of those were extant so it would be perfectly legitimate to include them.

It seem you've misunderstood the point of the series.