Railway Lives

Tony Francis presents a series exploring the railways of the Midlands, beginning his journey in Lincolnshire with a trip to the coastal resort of Skegness, before meeting a train-loving couple who live in a station.

Tony Francis travels to Poland, where railway fanatics have the chance to drive steam trains on the country's mainline. He joins a group from Staffordshire whose idea of the perfect holiday is to do just that, taking blissfully unaware Polish commuters to work.

Tony Francis continues his journey on the railways of the Midlands, meeting a restaurateur with an unusual batch of passengers, and enjoying the sounds of an on-board jazz band on the Heart of Wales line.

Presenter Tony Francis continues his exploration of the railways as he travels to China with a group of train enthusiasts to witness the last run of mainline steam engines in the world, but the emotion of the occasion proves too much for some.

Tony Francis continues his exploration of the railways of the Midlands, jumping aboard the East Coast Mainline to experience silver service at speed, and learning how fresh Worcestershire asparagus was once transported across the UK by rail.

Tony Francis continues his journey on the railways of the Midlands, meeting the people who work and travel on the region's trains.

Tony Francis follows in the footsteps of Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, stars of the classic Forties film Brief Encounter, the story of a momentary love affair that begins and ends at a railway station, and meets the train enthusiasts who share a passion for the movie.

Tony Francis explores the rise and fall of the railway network's travelling post offices, immortalised by WH Auden's Night Mail and the Great Train Robbery.