Catch up TV

This episode is currently not available.

Series 3: 15. Berkeley to Yosemite



Michael Portillo's rail voyage continues through northern California, moving east in search of the state's greatest national treasures. To unearth the region's dangers deep underground, Michael visits the seismology department at UC Berkeley and hears the story of the catastrophic 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Experiencing the country's largest multidirectional shaking table in action, he learns how engineers today strive to prepare for the high risk of an earthquake.\n\nAlighting at Stockton, Michael delves into California's pioneering agricultural technology and buckles up on a caterpillar tractor the likes of which revolutionised farming and construction equipment around the world. And following the advice of his Appleton's, Michael immerses himself in the sublime beauty of Yosemite National Park, learning about the committed 19th-century conservationists who campaigned for federal protection. He gets up close to the magnificent fauna and flora, attempts a rock climb and comes across a 'Buffalo Soldier' patrolling the wilderness.

Source: BBC 2

Most recent episodes of Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 10. Illinois To Tennessee

Series 2 Reversions: 10. Illinois To Tennessee

17-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 9. Chicago To Champaign, Illinois

Series 2 Reversions: 9. Chicago To Champaign, Illinois

16-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 8. Milwaukee To Chicago

Series 2 Reversions: 8. Milwaukee To Chicago

12-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 7. Minnesota - Wisconsin

Series 2 Reversions: 7. Minnesota - Wisconsin

11-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 6. Minneapolis - St Paul

Series 2 Reversions: 6. Minneapolis - St Paul

10-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 5. Santa Fe, New Mexico, To The Grand Canyon

Series 2 Reversions: 5. Santa Fe, New Mexico, To The Grand Canyon

09-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 4. La Junta To Colorado Springs

Series 2 Reversions: 4. La Junta To Colorado Springs

05-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 2. Sedalia To St Joseph, Missouri

Series 2 Reversions: 2. Sedalia To St Joseph, Missouri

04-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 3. Lawrence To Lamar, Colorado

Series 2 Reversions: 3. Lawrence To Lamar, Colorado

04-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2 Reversions: 1. St Louis To Jefferson City, Missouri

Series 2 Reversions: 1. St Louis To Jefferson City, Missouri

02-09-2024

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Most popular episodes of Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 4: 5. Kamloops To Calgary

Series 4: 5. Kamloops To Calgary

Clutching his 1899 Appleton’s Guide, Michael Portillo boards one of the world’s most famous trains, the Rocky Mountaineer, to cross the backbone of the North America ...

26-09-2022

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - 8. Philadelphia To Atlantic City

8. Philadelphia To Atlantic City

10-02-2016

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 2: 10. Albuquerque, New Mexico, To The Grand Canyon, Arizona

Series 2: 10. Albuquerque, New Mexico, To The Grand Canyon, Arizona

03-02-2017

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 3: 19. Los Angeles To Laguna Beach

Series 3: 19. Los Angeles To Laguna Beach

Michael Portillo strikes oil in the suburbs of Los Angeles, contemplates his navel in the orange groves of Riverside, makes a California Roll and paints a pretty picture in Lagu ...

07-12-2022

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 4: 1. Ninilchik To Wasilla

Series 4: 1. Ninilchik To Wasilla

Michael Portillo heads for the last frontier of the United States, armed with his 1899 Appleton’s Guidebook to Alaska.\n\nBeginning his journey amid the snow-capped mounta ...

19-09-2022

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 3: 9. Thousand Islands To Oshawa, Ontario

Series 3: 9. Thousand Islands To Oshawa, Ontario

Using his 1899 Appleton's guide, Michael Portillo's rail odyssey through eastern Canada continues along the Grand Trunk railway, following the route of the St Lawrence River.\n\ ...

21-11-2022

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 4: 2. Talkeetna To Juneau

Series 4: 2. Talkeetna To Juneau

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 ...

20-09-2022

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 4: 9. Portage La Prairie To Saskatoon

Series 4: 9. Portage La Prairie To Saskatoon

Steered by his 1899 Appleton’s Guide, Michael Portillo strikes west across Manitoba into the province of Saskatchewan. High above the prairie at Riding Mountain, Michael d ...

10-10-2022

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 3: 7. Montreal, Quebec

Series 3: 7. Montreal, Quebec

Following a special 1899 Canadian edition of his Appleton's guide, Michael Portillo has left the United States and crossed the border to embark on the next leg of his rail journ ...

16-11-2022

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

Great American Railroad Journeys

Great American Railroad Journeys - Series 4: 3. Skagway To Vancouver

Series 4: 3. Skagway To Vancouver

Michael Portillo embarks on a second spectacular rail journey through Alaska into Canada on the White Pass and Yukon railway.\n\nArriving in Skagway by seaplane from railwayless ...

21-09-2022

BBC 2

All episodes

BBC 2

© 2025 - Catchupplayer.co.uk