Great American Railroad Journeys — Season 1, Episode 12: Washington DC

Episode synopsis

Michael arrives in the nation's capital, Washington DC. 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. In the offices of The Washington Post, Michael learns about corruption in the corridors of power and how the newspaper toppled a president. He finishes this leg of his journey in the auditorium of the theatre where, in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

About 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.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Manhattan: Grand Central to Broadway
• E2Manhattan: Lower East Side to World Trade Center
• E3Brooklyn to Montauk
• E4New York City to Garrison
• E5Poughkeepsie to Albany
• E6Schenectady to Rochester
• E7Buffalo to Niagara Falls
• E8Philadelphia to Atlantic City
• E9Lancaster to Gettysburg
• E10Wilmington to Havre de Grace
• E11Baltimore to Fort McHenry
• E13Georgetown to Mount Vernon