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La Junta, Colorado, to Pueblo, New Mexico

In Las Animas County, Colorado, Michael Portillo follows in the footsteps of 19th-century dudes who came to experience life as cowboys.

Michael Portillo hits ranching territory in Las Animas County, Colorado, where he follows in the footsteps of 19th-century dudes from the east coast who came to experience life as cowboys. First up - how to use a lasso.

At Bent's Old Fort, Michael learns about the Mexican-American War of 1848 and finds himself inspecting the troops. He also looks at America's relationship with firearms at a NRA shooting centre in Raton, and discovers how guns won the West.

Across the state line in Pueblo, New Mexico, Michael is drawn to a giant steel mill mentioned in his Appleton's that produces rails a quarter of a mile long, transported on special trains.

29 minutes

Credits

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

Broadcast

Steam Railways: Watch programmes from the archive collection

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