Discover the secrets of Japan's railways, from the newest technologies and systems in use, to travel tips and must-see places.
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Trainspotting Live will bring three nights of spotting, joy and excitement to BBC Four as Peter Snow, mathematician Dr Hannah Fry and engineer Dick Strawbridge along with a team of rail train enthusiasts revel in the tantalising intricacies, trade secrets and true pleasures of trainspotting... live!
A journey riding the rails around the world, from the locomotive to rail traffic control to the maintenance depot.
Professor Alice Roberts gets exclusive access to some of the most recently uncovered archaeology in Egypt as she travels the country by train.
Actor Julie Walters rides upon the UK's most beautiful coastal railways.
The Flying Scotsman has broken records and starred in movies.
Historian Liz McIvor explores how Britain's expanding rail network was the spark to a social revolution, starting in the 1800s and continuing through to modern times.
More than 150 of Britain’s railway stations are request stops. You have to put out your arm to get the train to stop at the platform. In this series, Paul Merton will travel around the country by train, only getting off at request stops. He’ll explore the history of the stations, and meet the people who live and work around them to learn more about at these unusual and often-overlooked stations.
Documentary series about the resurgence of steam power on the Welsh railways, including the ambitious Welsh Highland Railway in Snowdonia.
From the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, Dan Snow, Anita Rani and Robert Llewellyn explore the science behind the world's busiest railway. With John Sergeant reporting from across India.
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.
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Following three iconic train journeys from the air and on the ground, we discover the iconic landscapes of New Zealand, a country with the geographic diversity of an entire continent. On the way we learn about the extra-ordinary construction challenges of the 4,000 kilometre network.
Railway adventures across Australia follows the exploits of Scott McGregor on his quest to find the famous, unusual and unique trains and stories at the end of the line.
Restoration experts restore iconic rail carriages back to their former glory
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A BBC documentary series exploring steam and heritage railways worldwide. Hosted by Bob Symes and Mary‑Jean Hasler. Produced by Lineside Location Productions.
These are the Secrets of the Railways, railroads constructed during turbulent periods and associated with mankind's ugliest deeds.
Swiss Railway Journeys is a captivating series showcasing the beautiful Swiss countryside as seen from its immaculate railways. First stop is Canton Ticino where visitors can admire the Italian influenced architecture before travelling high into the Alps through densely wooded valleys to marvel at this spectacular mountain range. Until the advent of railway engineering in the 1880's it was impossible for travellers to cross the Alpine backbone from Northern Europe to Italy during winter. Now the route can be seen in its entirety from the dramatic scenery from the heart of the Confederation to the Mediterranean in the south. Also on the itinerary is the glamorous resort of St Moritz, the breathtaking Albula Line with its lofty viaducts spiral tunnels and deep gorges and the beautiful Entelbuch valley. Swiss Railway Journeys offers more options than a Swiss Army Knife.
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.
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw's Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us, and what of Bradshaw's Britain remains.
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This may take a moment for shows with many seasons.
9 episodes • 2015
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Railway Revival: 4 Years After the Great Earthquake | Mar 9, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 2 | The New Shinkansen: Technology and Economic Effects | Apr 10, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Isumi Railway: There's Nothing Here! | May 15, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Diesel Hybrid Trains: Japan's World Leading Technology | Jun 12, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Battery Hybrid Trains: Development of the Global Technology | Jul 11, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Japan's Subway Technology in High Density Operation | Aug 14, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Secret of Operating Preserved Steam Locomotives | Oct 9, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Special Preview - Hokkaido Shinkansen: Hopes and Challenges | Nov 13, 2015 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Yamanote Line: The Green Rotating Heart of Tokyo | Dec 4, 2015 | 0.0 |
17 episodes • 2016
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seven Stars in Kyushu: The Local Revitalizing Cruise Train | Jan 15, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Second Chances for Used Trains in Southeast Asia | Feb 11, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Earthquake Safety: What 5 Years Has Taught Us | Mar 11, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Superconducting Maglev: The Extreme Speeds of Tomorrow | Apr 7, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Ekiben: A True Rail Traveling Companion | Apr 15, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Premium Express Shimakaze: A Train of Dreams to Reality | May 13, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Cat Stationmaster Who Rescued a Railway | May 19, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 8 | New Generation Express: Journey to Speed and Comfortability | Jun 10, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Future of Rail Freight Transport | Jun 17, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Kyoto Railway Museum: The Story of Rail Transport in Japan | Jul 15, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Light Rail Vehicles: Modern Trams Reshaping Urban Transit | Jul 22, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Keikyu: The Strive for World-Class Rail Operation | Aug 5, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 13 | World-Class Maintenance: The Backbone of Shinkansen Operations | Sep 16, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Railways Back on Track: Six Months After the Kumamoto Earthquakes | Oct 7, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Future Prospects Made in the Past: JR East's Steam Loco Strategy | Oct 14, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 16 | Picking Up the Pace: JR Shikoku's Tactics for Survival | Nov 11, 2016 | 0.0 |
| 17 | The Seeds of Success: Kyoto's Sagano Scenic Railway | Dec 9, 2016 | 0.0 |
18 episodes • 2017
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turning Problems Into Opportunities: The Tsugaru Railway's Strategy | Jan 12, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Japan's World-Class Rail and Wheels | Jan 19, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Keihan Electric Railway: Advanced Technology That Dominated the Railway Hub | Feb 17, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 4 | The Long Winter of Discontent: One Railway's Battle Against Snow | Mar 10, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Dreams of a Texas Bullet Train: Future Plans for Japan's High-Speed Railways | Apr 7, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Using Railways to Promote Local Tourism: Kyushu Railway Company's Strategy | Apr 14, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Toden Arakawa Line: A Hidden Gem for Tourists from Overseas | May 12, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 8 | All the Comfort You Require: Onboard Services on Japanese Trains | May 19, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 9 | The Unsung Hero of Japanese Railways: Series Kiha 40 Diesel Trains | Jun 16, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Airport Express Lines: How Competition Is Improving the Ride Into the City | Jul 14, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Prepaid E-money Cards: The Smart Way to Travel in Japan | Jul 21, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 12 | HIGH RAIL 1375: The Tourist Train That Touches New Heights | Aug 11, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 13 | Train Suite Shiki-shima: The High-Tech Luxury Cruise Train | Sep 8, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 14 | A Long-Awaited Whistle: Tobu Railway's Steam Service Revival | Sep 15, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Rediscovering Old Horizons: Preservation and Utilization of Railway Heritage | Oct 6, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 16 | Hankyu Corporation: A Leading Private Railway Company's Business Model | Oct 20, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 17 | Advanced Urban Travel: Japan's Monorail Systems | Nov 17, 2017 | 0.0 |
| 18 | Safeguarding the System: Maintaining JR Central's Conventional Line | Dec 15, 2017 | 0.0 |
18 episodes • 2018
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Driving Forward With Steam: Oigawa Railway's Strategy | Jan 12, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Hokuriku Shinkansen Update: Re-assessing the Effects and Challenges 3 Years On | Jan 19, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 3 | JR OITA CITY: The Station Complex that Changed the Game | Feb 15, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Enoshima Electric Railway: A Good Old 10km Ride | Mar 2, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 5 | A New Generation of Commuter Train: Tokyu Corporation's Series 2020 | Apr 6, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Ultimate in Comfort: New Limited Express Super Azusa | Apr 20, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Tobu Railway's Revaty Express: Moving Forward to a Better Nikko | May 24, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Gakunan Electric Train: A New Outlook in the Foothills of Mt. Fuji | Jun 8, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Kominato Railway: The Strategy of a Quaint Local Railway | Jul 12, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 10 | The Golden Route to Hakone: Limited Express Romancecar and the Mountain Train | Jul 19, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 11 | New-Look Railway Museum: A Wonderland of Japan's Railway History | Jul 27, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Shinano Railway: Managing the Risks of the Next 30 Years | Sep 21, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 13 | Chartered Tour Trains: Special Times for Special Tours | Sep 28, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Nagoya Railroad: Advancing with Easy Airport Access and a Famous Castle Town | Oct 19, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 15 | JR Central: Enticing Tourists with Helpful Services & Events | Oct 26, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 16 | Iwate Galaxy Railway: Launching Services for the Community | Nov 9, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 17 | Echizen Railway: Heading into the Future with the Community Onboard | Nov 23, 2018 | 0.0 |
| 18 | Seibu Railway: Setting its Sights on the Chichibu Region | Dec 21, 2018 | 0.0 |
19 episodes • 2019
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Year Trains: Beginning the New Year with a Journey | Jan 18, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 2 | JR Gono Line: A Popular Local Line Worth the Journey | Feb 8, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Amaterasu Railway: A Tourist Attraction Making the Most of a Discontinued Line | Feb 15, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Yamanote Line: Tokyo's Ever Evolving Loop Line | Mar 29, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 5 | JR Hokkaido's Yubari Line: A Beloved Local Line Comes to an End | Apr 12, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Tokyo Metro: A Subway Network On Time & On Track | Apr 26, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Nishi-Nippon Railroad: Fine Dining on an Even Finer Tourist Train | May 23, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Hiroshima Electric Railway: On Track on the Streets | May 30, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Hankai Tramway: Osaka's One & Only Tram Network | Jun 27, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Choshi Electric Railway: Finding New Ways to Get Back on Track | Jul 11, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 11 | JR Osaka Loop Line: Developing a Better, More User-Friendly Line | Jul 25, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Kyoto Tango Railway: A Bus Company to the Rescue | Sep 12, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 13 | South Hokkaido Railway: A Tourist Train Developed by a Tour Company | Sep 26, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Chizu Express: A Top Tier Third Sector Railway | Oct 10, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Hitachinaka Seaside Railway: Pulling Together with the Local Community | Oct 24, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 16 | JR's Ekinaka Development Project: A New Lifestyle Below the Chuo Line | Nov 7, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 17 | Introducing the N700S: JR Central's Next-Generation Shinkansen | Nov 21, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 18 | New Technology Opening the Future of the Railway | Dec 12, 2019 | 0.0 |
| 19 | Reviewing the New Trains of 2019 | Dec 26, 2019 | 0.0 |
15 episodes • 2020
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunrise Seto and Izumo: The Last of the Overnight Sleeper Trains | Jan 17, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Echigo Tokimeki Railway: A Railway for Everyone | Feb 13, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 3 | A Guide to Tokyo's Airport Access Lines | Mar 26, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Kintetsu Railway's Hinotori: Challenging the Shinkansen with Comfort | Apr 16, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Takanawa Gateway Station: The New Gateway to Tokyo | Apr 30, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Securing the Future of Japan's Local Railways | Jun 4, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 7 | The Blue Ribbon & Laurel Prize: Japan's Best New Trains | Jul 9, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Bicycle Onboard: Cycling with JR East | Jul 30, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Heisei Chikuho Railway: A Tourist Train Recovering From the Pandemic | Aug 7, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Tsugaru Railway: Surviving the Coronavirus Pandemic | Sep 18, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 11 | JR Freight: In Business for the Long Haul | Oct 16, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Beyond the Pandemic: Discussing the Railway With Industrial Designer Mitooka Eiji | Oct 30, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 13 | JR West: Redefining the Role of the Railway Post Pandemic | Nov 27, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Tenryu Hamanako Railroad: Working with the Community to Revitalize the Railway | Dec 17, 2020 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Reviewing the New Trains of 2020 | Dec 25, 2020 | 0.0 |
10 episodes • 2021
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keeping Commuters Safe During the Pandemic | Jan 29, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Moka Railway: Pushing Forward with Steam | Apr 30, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Must-see Railway News: The First Half of 2021 | Jul 8, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Japan's Top New Trains: Awarded for Excellence | Jul 15, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Back in Time at the Romancecar Museum | Jul 29, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Shinano Railway: Investing in New Trains | Sep 16, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 7 | This Is Not the End of the Line: Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture | Oct 14, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Asa Coast Railway: The World's First DMV | Nov 11, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Shinkansen Freight: Carrying On Post Pandemic | Nov 25, 2021 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Kominato Railway: Surviving with Wisdom and Ingenuity | Dec 30, 2021 | 0.0 |
17 episodes • 2022
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Must-see Railway News: The Latter Half of 2021 | Jan 20, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Ekiben: Making a Comeback | Feb 24, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Konan Railway: Combating the Snow | Mar 3, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Rebuilding Tohoku's Railway Network | Mar 10, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 5 | Trains Evolving by Design | Apr 28, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Tobu Railway: Restoring a Steam Locomotive | May 26, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Working on the Move by Rail | Jun 9, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Speeding Toward Carbon-Free Railways | Jun 16, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Must-see Railway News: The First Half of 2022 | Jul 14, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Kosaka Railroad: A Second Chance for a Discontinued Railway | Jul 28, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Running a Luxury Tourist Train in Hokkaido | Aug 25, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 12 | JR Okayama Branch: Using Old Trains to Attract Tourists | Sep 22, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 13 | Yagan Railway: Surviving as a Connecting Line | Oct 6, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen: Half a Century Since Its Inception | Oct 27, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 15 | JR Tadami Line: Back After 11 Years | Nov 17, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 16 | Exploring the Labyrinth That Is Tokyo Station | Dec 1, 2022 | 0.0 |
| 17 | Reviewing the New Trains of 2022 | Dec 22, 2022 | 0.0 |
16 episodes • 2023
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Must-see Railway News: The Latter Half of 2022 | Jan 19, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Ichibata Electric Railway: Working Hand in Hand with the Region | Feb 9, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Choshi Electric Railway: Turning Creative Ideas into Profit | Mar 23, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 4 | The Tohoku Shinkansen: Full Speed Ahead | Apr 13, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 5 | JR Geibi Line and Kisuki Line at a Crossroads | May 18, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Yuri Kogen Railway: Getting People Back on Track | Jun 8, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Collaborating to Revive Japan's Stations | Jun 22, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Hisatsu Orange Railway: Fully Supported by Kagoshima Prefecture | Jul 6, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Must-see Railway News: The First Half of 2023 | Jul 27, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Fukushima's Iizaka Line: Keeping Business on Track | Sep 7, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Minamiaso Railway: Overcoming Disaster | Sep 14, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Countdown to the Hokuriku Shinkansen Extension | Sep 28, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 13 | Putting JR Hokkaido's Abandoned Lines to Use | Oct 26, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Haga Utsunomiya LRT: Shaping Communities | Nov 16, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Oigawa Railway: Keeping Steam Alive | Nov 30, 2023 | 0.0 |
| 16 | JR Shikoku's Collaborative New Idea | Dec 21, 2023 | 0.0 |
16 episodes • 2024
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Must-see Railway News: The Latter Half of 2023 | Jan 25, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Shining a Light on Japan's Monorails | Feb 29, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Riding in Style: Exploring Japan's Tourist Trains | Mar 28, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Hapi-Line Fukui: Born Alongside the Shinkansen | Apr 25, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 5 | New Regional Yamagata Shinkansen Series E8 | May 16, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 6 | The Challenging Journey of Akechi Railway | May 30, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 7 | Iwate Prefecture: Promoting Railway Tourism | Jun 13, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Branching Out with the Shin-Yokohama Line | Jul 4, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 9 | Must-see Railway News: The First Half of 2024 | Jul 25, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Railcars Dressed in Tradition | Aug 29, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Affordable Luxury Trains: Kintetsu Railway | Sep 12, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 12 | The 60th Anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen: Part 1, The Evolution of High-Speed Rail | Oct 10, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 13 | The 60th Anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen: Part 2, The Evolution of Maintenance Technologies | Oct 24, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Hokkaido's Railway Heritage at a Crossroads | Nov 21, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Japan's Unique Railway Departure Melodies | Dec 5, 2024 | 0.0 |
| 16 | JR West's New and Improved Limited Express Yakumo | Dec 19, 2024 | 0.0 |
15 episodes • 2025
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Must-see Railway News: The Latter Half of 2024 | Jan 23, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Major Railways Helping Local Communities Grow | Feb 13, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 3 | The Enduring Charm of Printed Timetables | Mar 20, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Oigawa Railway: A New President Steps Up | Apr 24, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 5 | On Track for a Carbon-Free Future | May 22, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 6 | Revitalizing Niigata's Third-Sector Railways | Jun 26, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 7 | 110 Years of Nagasaki's Beloved Streetcars | Jul 17, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 8 | Must-see Railway News: The First Half of 2025 | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 9 | JR Ome Line: Turning Railway Stops into Overnight Stops | Aug 28, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 10 | Hiroshima Station Transformed: A Bustling New Gateway to the City | Sep 18, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 11 | Choshi Electric Railway: Fighting to Get Back on Track | Sep 25, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Five Years On: Redeveloping the Joban Line | Oct 23, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 13 | JR Geibi Line: Making Moves with Extra Trains | Nov 13, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 14 | Vertical Separation: A Key to the Survival of Local Railways | Nov 27, 2025 | 0.0 |
| 15 | Enhancing Railways with AI: Highlights from Mass-Trans Innovation Japan 2025 | Dec 18, 2025 | 0.0 |
4 episodes • 2026
| # | Episode | Air Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Return of Japan's Night Trains | Jan 15, 2026 | 0.0 |
| 2 | Must-see Railway News: The Latter Half of 2025 | Jan 29, 2026 | 0.0 |
| 3 | Battling the Snow: Japan's Northern Railways | Mar 5, 2026 | 0.0 |
| 4 | Railway Technical Research Institute: Leading the Way | Mar 26, 2026 | 0.0 |