Clutching his 1899 Appleton's Guidebook to Alaska, Michael Portillo reaches the State's remote interior and the end of the Alaska Railroad. Less than 200 miles from the Arctic Circle, at Fairbanks, he discovers how gold prospectors liberated the precious metal from the soil.\n\nAt Poker Flat, Michael reaches for the skies with the scientists who study the Northern Lights. Volunteers on the Tanana Valley Railroad offer him the chance to light the boiler of their 1899 Porter locomotive - a first for Britain's premier rail fan. In Alaska's railwayless state capital, Juneau, Michael researches the life of the remarkable author of his Appleton's, Eliza Scidmore, before heading to the railhead for his next Alaskan journey. He discovers her role in encouraging tourists to visit Alaska and finds out how salmon propelled the region to statehood.
Source: BBC 2
Series 1: 5. Skagway To Carcross
Michael Portillo embarks on a second spectacular rail journey through Alaska to Canada, the White Pass and Yukon railway, ending in the Canadian town of Carcross. Arriving in Sk ...
28-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 4. Fairbanks To Juneau
Clutching his 1899 Appleton's Guidebook to Alaska, Michael Portillo reaches the State's remote interior and the end of the Alaska Railroad. Less than 200 miles from the Arctic C ...
27-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 3. Talkeetna To Denali
Armed with his 1899 Appleton's Guidebook to Alaska, Michael Portillo rides the Alaska Railroad north to explore the remote former goldrush settlement of Talkeetna. Deep in the f ...
26-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 2. Anchorage To Wasilla
Steered by his Appleton's Guidebook to Alaska, Michael Portillo is in Anchorage preparing to join the US Arctic Warriors for parachute training at joint forces base Elmendorf-Ri ...
25-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 5. Skagway To Carcross
Michael Portillo embarks on a second spectacular rail journey through Alaska to Canada, the White Pass and Yukon railway, ending in the Canadian town of Carcross. Arriving in Sk ...
28-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 2. Anchorage To Wasilla
Steered by his Appleton's Guidebook to Alaska, Michael Portillo is in Anchorage preparing to join the US Arctic Warriors for parachute training at joint forces base Elmendorf-Ri ...
25-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 3. Talkeetna To Denali
Armed with his 1899 Appleton's Guidebook to Alaska, Michael Portillo rides the Alaska Railroad north to explore the remote former goldrush settlement of Talkeetna. Deep in the f ...
26-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: 4. Fairbanks To Juneau
Clutching his 1899 Appleton's Guidebook to Alaska, Michael Portillo reaches the State's remote interior and the end of the Alaska Railroad. Less than 200 miles from the Arctic C ...
27-07-2023
BBC 2