Michael Portillo at Talyllyn today.

[John Luxton]

Took a trip on the 11:45 from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn this morning. As the train was returning to Wharf station there standing on the end of the platform was Mr Portillo. I spotted his bright clothes first!

His two man film crew were filming TOM ROLT at the coaling stage.

He then did an interview with the crew of TOM ROLT. I wandered off into the Museum. After I left the museum I headed up to Abergynolwyn in the car for some more photos.

The 14:40 which I think departed on time (I was in the museum) was a bit late arriving at Abergynolwyn though he emerged from the footplate in a boiler suit.

I guess there is another of his railway series in the offing?

 

[Cymroglan]

And I thought things couldn’t get any worse…..

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Has he not run out of places to go by train yet?

 

[John Luxton]

I thought he had done the Talyllyn before. His programmes are quite good but sometimes he does wonder a bit off piste at times unlike Tim Dunn who always remains focused on the subject.

 

[johnw]

He does wonder off piste as it is a more general travelogue programme with railways as it’s base aimed at wider audience. Tim Dunn’s are much more specialised for a channel that is not as mainstream as BBC TWO.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I thought he had done the Talyllyn before.

Not sure he has, but happy to be corrected. Julie Walters has, however, definitely been to the Talyllyn, this was in the final episode of 'Coastal Railways (with Julie Walters)' which was first broadcast in 2017, when she was given a tour of the line by one time General Manager Tracey Parkinson.

Apparently Portillo's recent visit to the Talyllyn this week was in connection with a planned new series of 'Great Coastal Railway Journeys' to be aired in 2023. Understand that he travelled on the train to Dolgoch, then joined the foot plate crew to Abergynolwyn.