Documentaries about trains offer a captivating journey into the heart of this mode of transportation, delving into their evolution, the communities they have linked, and the stories of those who have dedicated their lives to the rails.
With their rhythmic clatter and hypnotic motion, trains have played a pivotal role in shaping history and connecting distant landscapes.
If you’re wondering what a “Backpacking” website has to do with trains, it’s quite simple, I love travelling by train.
Trains are my favourite mode of transport and I have had some of my best travel experiences on them, from travelling around India by train for several months to taking the Trans-Mongolian Railway, a great train journey is one of the best things you can do.
Documentaries About Trains
Whether documenting the nostalgic era of steam engines or highlighting the cutting-edge technology of modern high-speed trains, these documentaries weave a rich tapestry of human ingenuity and the enduring allure of the railroad.
These films showcase the technical prowess behind locomotives and explore the cultural, social, and economic impact of trains on societies worldwide.
Great Railway Journeys (1980-1999)
I had to include this one first on the list as it’s one of the best documentaries about trains as far as a series goes, and an absolute classic.
Great Railway Journeys is a British television documentary series that originally aired from 1980 to 1999. The show featured various presenters embarking on train journeys around the world, exploring different cultures, landscapes, and historical sites.
Each episode focused on a specific railway journey, offering you a unique perspective on the destinations visited.
Some of the notable presenters from the early years of the series included personalities like Michael Palin, Chris Tarrant, and David Dimbleby. Each presenter brought their own style and perspective to the show, contributing to its popularity.
The series was well-received for its combination of travel, history, and cultural exploration. The presenters often shared personal anecdotes, and historical insights, and interacted with locals along the way.
The journeys covered a wide range of locations, from Europe to Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and is one of the best travelogue-style documentary series about trains to watch.
This is one of the first episodes from 1980 with a young Michael Palin presenting:
Great British Railway Journeys (2010 -)
Great British Railway Journeys is part of several continuations from the original Great Railway Journeys series mentioned earlier. This series follows the presenter, Michael Portillo, a former British politician, as he travels across the United Kingdom by train, exploring the history, culture, and heritage of different regions.
The series, as mentioned, is part of a broader franchise that includes various “Railway Journeys” programs, each focusing on a different country or region.
In “Great British Railway Journeys,” Michael Portillo uses a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian railway guidebook to navigate his journeys, comparing historical information with the current state of the railways and the places he visits.
The show often delves into historical events, industrial developments, and social changes associated with the locations featured in each episode. A short clip from the series:
Instead of going into detail about all of the Great Railway Journeys series, I’ll just add them here which ones they are for you to search for if you have an interest in a particular area.
They are all hosted by the same presenter, Michael Portillo, and start from the year 2010 onwards.
Great American Railroad Journeys, Great Continental Railway Journeys, Great Asian Railway Journeys, Great Australian Railway Journeys, Great Indian Railway Journeys, Great Alaskan and Canadian Railroad Journeys, Great Coastal Railway Journeys.
Joanna Lumley’s Trans-Siberian Adventure
Joanna Lumley’s Trans-Siberian Adventure is a British television documentary series that follows the actress and presenter Joanna Lumley as she embarks on a journey along the Trans-Siberian Railway. The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world, stretching over 5,700 miles from Moscow in Russia to Vladivostok on the Pacific coast.
The series consists of three episodes and captures Lumley’s experiences and encounters as she travels across Russia by train. Throughout the journey, she explores the diverse landscapes, cultures, and people along the route, providing you with insights into the vast and varied country that is Russia.
Lumley’s Trans-Siberian adventure takes her through cities, towns, and remote areas, offering a glimpse into the history, traditions, and contemporary life of Russia.
The documentary combines travelogue elements with Lumley’s engaging personality, making it an entertaining and informative watch for those interested in travel, cultural exploration, and of course, trains.
Joanna Lumley is one of my favourite TV presenters so this is a joy to watch and is one of the best documentaries about trains if you have an interest in the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Watch the full season here:
Trailer:
Rocky Mountain Express (2011)
Rocky Mountain Express explores the construction and operation of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in the early 20th century. The documentary showcases the breathtaking landscapes of the Canadian Rockies and the challenges faced by the engineers and workers who built the railway.
One of the notable aspects of “Rocky Mountain Express” is its use of IMAX technology, which allows for stunning visuals and immersive cinematography. The film takes you on a journey through the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains, highlighting the engineering marvels involved in creating the railway.
The documentary also delves into the history of the CPR, detailing its significance in connecting Canada from east to west and facilitating transportation and trade. It combines historical footage, reenactments, and contemporary cinematography to tell the story of this iconic railway.
Watch it here:
Trailer:
Indian Hill Railways (2010)
Indian Hill Railways is a documentary series that explores the unique and challenging hill railways of India, showcasing the engineering marvels and the breathtaking landscapes through which these railways traverse.
India is home to several hill railways that were built during the British colonial era, and they continue to operate, offering not only transportation but also scenic journeys for passengers.
The series covers various aspects of these hill railways, including their history, construction, significance, and the challenges faced in maintaining and operating them in challenging terrains. These railways are not only functional but also hold cultural and historical value.
This is one of my favourite documentaries about trains series to watch, especially as I’ve been on some of these journeys.
Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways (2012 -)
Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways is a television documentary series featuring English broadcaster Chris Tarrant. The series explores some of the world’s most challenging and extreme railway journeys, showcasing not only the breathtaking landscapes but also the history, culture, and engineering marvels associated with each railway.
Chris Tarrant travels to various locations around the globe to experience these extreme railways firsthand. The series typically combines elements of travel, adventure, and history, providing you with insights into the importance and impact of railways in different regions.
India’s Frontier Railways (2015)
This series delves into the challenging and breathtaking train journeys in some of the most remote areas of India. It highlights the incredible engineering feats and the cultural significance of the railways in the country.
You can watch all the episodes for free on YouTube but at a low quality of 360p.
Episode 1:
The Flying Scotsman: A Rail Romance (2013)
This documentary tells the story of the famous Flying Scotsman, one of the most iconic steam locomotives in the world. It covers its history, restoration, and its impact on railway enthusiasts.
This is the perfect one out of all these documentaries about trains that explores a classic steam locomotive.
Watch it here in full quality:
You can also watch the full episode for free on YouTube in lower quality:
Railroad Australia (2016-)
Railroad Australia is an Australian train documentary series that focuses on the country’s rail network and the people who work on it. It provides you with an in-depth look at the challenges and operations of Australia’s vast and diverse railway system.
Throughout the series, “Railroad Australia” explores different aspects of the rail industry, from the maintenance of tracks and trains to the logistics of transporting goods across the expansive Australian landscape.
It often features interviews with railway workers, engineers, and other professionals, offering insights into their daily lives and the complexities of running an efficient rail network.
A Train Ride Into Japan’s Past (2021)
This is a great little documentary about train travel on the island of Kyushu in Japan. I found it on YouTube and am adding it here as I travelled all around Kyushu by train and had some very scenic journeys on some historic trains.
That’s me at a historic train station in Kyushu.
Japan has some great train journeys, from old trains to the fast new Shinkansen. It’s a country that loves trains.
Trevor McDonald’s Indian Train Adventure (2019)
Trevor McDonald’s Indian Train Adventure is a documentary presented by Sir Trevor McDonald, a well-known British television presenter and journalist, that explores India’s vast and diverse railway system.
In the documentary, Sir Trevor McDonald likely takes viewers on a journey through various regions of India, showcasing the importance of trains in connecting people, cultures, and landscapes.
India has one of the largest and busiest railway networks in the world, and its trains play a crucial role in the daily lives of millions of people.
It’s one of the best train documentaries about India.
The Great Workhorses: Freight Trains That Move Huge Loads
From the Channel Tunnel to carrying iron ore in the Australian Outback, experts discuss the history and the future of freight trains.
If you have any interest in freight trains in particular then this is one of the best documentaries about trains for you to watch.
Railroad Alaska (2013-)
Railroad Alaska is an American reality television series that aired on the Destination America channel. The series focuses on individuals and communities in Alaska who rely on the Alaska Railroad for transportation and supplies.
The show provides a glimpse into the unique challenges of maintaining and operating a railroad system in the extreme conditions of Alaska, where harsh weather, remote locations, and rugged terrain pose significant obstacles.
Railroad Alaska follows the lives of people living along the railroad tracks, showcasing their day-to-day activities, struggles, and the vital role the railroad plays in their lives.
Watch all the seasons here:
World’s Biggest, Longest Trains
From the Swiss Alps to the steppe of South Africa and to Japan, these are some of the world’s most extraordinary trains.
How The Steam Train Changed The World
A great documentary that takes a look at, as the title says, how the steam train changed the world.
One extra… But not a documentary.
The Great Train Robbery (2013)
This 2 part TV series provides an in-depth look at the infamous Great Train Robbery of 1963 in the United Kingdom. It explores the planning, execution, and aftermath of one of the most famous heists in history.
You can watch both episodes for free on YouTube, although in 720p quality.
Episode 1:
Episode 2:
Trains
These documentaries about trains offer a diverse range of perspectives on covering the history, culture, technology, and more.
Top tip: Take a look at the website seat61 which has so much information about train travel around the world. I use it extensively whenever planning a trip by train.
Whether you’re a train enthusiast or simply curious about the impact of railways on society, you’re likely to find something interesting in these documentaries about trains.
For more on trains, look at this article about taking the Trans-Mongolian train from Mongolia to Beijing, China.
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