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Baltimore to Fort McHenry

Michael Portillo rides the railroads of America. Here, he is in Baltimore, home of the first railroad in the United States - the Baltimore and Ohio.

Michael Portillo continues his American rail journey from Philadelphia to Jamestown. In Baltimore, home of the first railroad in the United States - the Baltimore and Ohio - he discovers how the first American steam engine, the Tom Thumb, owed much to pioneering British technology.

He investigates race relations in the troubled city, taking a drive downtown with a former drug dealer, now a teacher.

On the city's beautiful east coast, Michael discovers the impressive star-shaped Fort McHenry and learns how the Star-Spangled Banner national anthem was born.

Medics at the city's Johns Hopkins Hospital show Michael how their institution has grown from its 19th-century foundation by the railroad magnate into a world-leading centre for healthcare.

And at the city's Lexington Market, Michael learns what gives a Maryland crab cake the edge.

29 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Portillo
Executive Producer John Comerford
Series Producer Alison Kreps
Production Company Boundless Productions

Broadcasts

Steam Railways: Watch programmes from the archive collection

Shows from the 麻豆社 archives celebrating the beauty of locomotives.