Great British Railway Journeys

S12E14 Blaenau Ffestiniog to Barmouth

Amidst the stunning peaks of Snowdonia, Michael Portillo discovers a deserted mine that served as a refuge for the National Gallery’s invaluable artworks during World War II. He learns how, as fears of invasion loomed, iconic paintings were carefully transported by train and lorry to be hidden deep underground in a natural granite vault. At Tan y Bwlch, Michael encounters 'Blanche', a vintage locomotive from 1893 that once transported slate from Penrhyn quarry. Now lovingly restored, she takes him on an unforgettable journey along the historic Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest narrow-gauge line in existence. In the coastal town of Porthmadog, Michael delves into the Welsh heritage of T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia.