Great Continental Railway Journeys

Equipped with a 1936 edition of Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo sets out to explore Spain’s European rail network. He follows the historic routes from Salamanca to Canfranc, navigating the lines described in the vintage guide and observing the landscape along the way.

The broadcast titled is an episode‑length programme that forms part of the wider railway‑focused series presented by Michael Portillo. It follows his customary format of travelling across a specific stretch of track, this time setting his sights on the line that links the historic city of Salamanca with the mountain‑border station of Canfranc in Spain. For this journey Portillo equips himself with a 1936 edition of Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Guide. The guide serves as his reference point as he navigates the European rail network that runs through Spain, using the period‑specific information to chart his route and to compare the present‑day experience with what was recorded nearly a century ago. The episode therefore centres on the contrast between the historic timetable and the modern services that operate along the same corridors. By consulting the 1936 Bradshaw, Portillo highlights the continuity and change that have shaped the Spanish railway landscape, offering viewers a glimpse of how the line has evolved while still retaining its original character. Throughout the programme, the emphasis remains on the practical aspects of the trip: the stations visited, the scenery encountered and the way the guide informs each leg of the journey. In doing so, the episode provides a concise yet informative portrait of a specific Spanish rail corridor, anchored by the historic perspective offered by Bradshaw’s guide.