BBC - Great American Railroad Journeys (2016) Part 12 Washington DC

Great American Railroad Journeys

Michael Portillo crosses the Atlantic to ride the railroads of America, armed with Appleton's General Guide to the United States, published in 1879.

Part 12 Washington DC

Michael Portillo continues his American railroad journey from Philadelphia to Jamestown. Michael arrives in the nation's capital, Washington DC, centre of political power in the world's most powerful country. Steered by his Appleton's Guide of 1879, he admires its fine public buildings, including the largest library in the world, and discovers how the capital was built from scratch after a political compromise between north and south. At the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Michael meets the man responsible for engraving the portrait of President Abraham Lincoln on the current five-dollar bill and gets his hands on more money than he has ever held in his life.

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