The MrT Podcast Studio

Season 2025 – Talk 11 – Escape of Charles II in 1651 In the ‘Escape of Charles II in 1651 after the Battle of Worcester’ Chris Hodge tells us about the Parliamentarian hunt for Charles II and his problems in getting from England to Europe. Background:   When the last Tudor monarch Elizabeth I dies in … Continue reading "TH2025 Ep 11 Escape of Charles II" T...

Wemyss Bay and Rothesay  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 19 In ‘Wemyss Bay and Rothesay‘ I travel from Glasgow Central to Wemyss Bay on the train and then take the ferry to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep 19 Wemyss Bay and Rothesay" The post UKRJ...

Season 2025 – Talk 09 – London End In ‘London End’ Tim Davies tells us about the arrival of the railways in London and the termini that the railway companies built. To view the images that were included with this talk please click on an image below: At the beginning:  On September 27th, 1825, the … Continue reading "TH 2025 09 London End" The post TH 2025 09 Lon...

May –  MrT’s Gardening Year 2026 – Episode 05 May, the end of spring and a hint of summer. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Extremely dry: Another month of very dry weather with just a few damp days. The soil really is very dry. Mrs T dug … Continue reading "MRTGY 2026 05 May" The post MRTGY 2026 05 May appeared first on...

Glasgow Central Tour  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 18 In ‘Glasgow Central Tour‘ I join a group for a tour ‘behind the scenes’ at Scotland’s busiest station. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: The Concourse: We meet in the station’s spacious concourse which dates … Continue reading "U...

April  –  MrT’s Gardening Year 2026 – Episode 04 April, the time where the garden changes from flowering bulbs to flowering shrubs. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Still dry: There has been sunshine, some very warm days but very little rain. Any rain has been completely ineffective! … Continue reading "MRTGY 2026 0...

Season 2025 – Talk 02 – Gladstone In ‘Gladstone’ Jo Huddleston tells us about the career of the man who was Liberal Prime Minister four times. His talk suggests that he feels Gladstone was far better than our recent Prime Ministers and also his great opponent, Disraeli. Early life:  Born in 1809, in Liverpool, to … Continue reading "TH2025 02 Gladstone" The post...

Journey’s End  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 17 In ‘Journey’s End‘ I continue my journey to my arrival at Glasgow Central. I then walk to St. Enoch Square, the true home of the Thames Clyde Express. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: The last … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep 17 Journey’s End"...

March  –  MrT’s Gardening Year 2026 – Episode 03 March, as the month progresses we pass through both the equilux and the equinox. The days are getting longer and spring really is upon us. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Relatively dry: To be honest we could do … Continue reading "MRTGY 2026 03 March" The post MRTGY...

On to Kilmarnock  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 16 In ‘On to Kilmarnock‘ I continue my journey through the Scottish lowlands on a ScotRail Class 156 Super Sprinter. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Dumfries – the ‘Queen of the South’: The red sandstone … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep 16 On...

Season 2025 – Talk 01 – Post Napoleonic France In ‘Post Napoleonic France’ Peter Duffy tells us about the political difficulties in France in the 19th Century. He draws on Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas to show the parallels between the fact and fiction. Scope: The … Continue reading "TH2025 01 Post Napoleonic France" Th...

North from Carlisle  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 15 In ‘North from Carlisle‘ I spend some time at Carlisle Citadel Station before boarding my ScotRail train to Glasgow. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Glasgow and South-Western Railway: I leave Carlisle on the lines … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep 15 Nort...

February  –  MrT’s Gardening Year 2026 – Episode 02 February, after a very long January, the evenings start to draw out during the shortest month of the year. This can be a very cold month but this year has been mainly mild and frost free. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go … Continue reading "MRTGY 2026 02 February" The post MRTGY 202...

Carlisle  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 14 In ‘Carlisle‘ I spend some time looking round the city, spend a night in the Travelodge and return to the station. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Staying the night: I’m staying at the Travelodge in the … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep 14 Carlisle" The post U...

January  –  MrT’s Gardening Year 2026 – Episode 01 January, the first month of the year when many retreat to the fireside and look at seed catalogues or binge watch Gardener’s World. Although it is a month with less garden activity than many others there is still a great deal to do. Please click on a … Continue reading "MRTGY 2026 01 January" The post M...

On to Carlisle  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 13 In ‘On to Carlisle‘ I complete my journey from Leeds to Carlisle along the Settle and Carlisle line. On reaching Carlisle I say goodbye to Northern Trains who I have been travelling with since Sheffield. Please click on a thumbnail to see the … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep13 On to Carlisle" The post U...

Season 2024 – Talk 14 – The Romanovs In ‘The Romanovs’ Alan Freeland tells us about the dynasty that ruled Russia from 1613 until 1917. One family: One family dominates Russian life for three centuries,  the Romanoffs. In Alan’s view possibly the most successful Imperial Royal Family in Europe, and yet people don’t usually give … Continue reading "TH...

We reach Garsdale  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2 –    Episode 12 In ‘We reach Garsdale‘ the journey from Leeds to Carlisle continues as we travel from Settle north along the Settle and Carlisle line. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Settle Station: The Grade II … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep12 We reach Gar...

Season 2024 – Talk 13 – Edward I In ‘Edward I’ Peter Duffy tells us about the King who ruled from 1272 to 1307. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. History repeating itself? Imagine another England long ago, but one that you recognise. A time with many parallels … Continue reading "TH2024 Ep13 Edward I" The post TH2024 Ep13 Edw...

On to Hellifield  –  UK Rail Journeys Series 2  –    Episode 11 In ‘On to Hellifield‘ I continue my journey from Leeds to Carlisle. We travel from West Yorkshire into North Yorkshire. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Apperley Bridge: Just before Apperley Bridge station we … Continue reading "UKRJ S2...

Season 2024 – Talk 12 – The Wonders of Electricity In ‘The Wonders of Electricity’ Andrew Cole looks at the history of electricity from it’s earliest days and the effect it has had on life. Introduction: We take electricity for granted. You can’t see it, you can’t smell it and you can’t hear it, but … Continue reading "TH2024 12 Electricity" Th...

Leeds to Kirkstall Forge – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 10 In ‘Leeds to Kirkstall Forge‘ I spend time in City Square in Leeds. It is Sunday morning and although the hospitality venues are already busy the square is virtually traffic free. A big change from when I was at University here. Please … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep 10 Leeds to Kirkstall Forge" The post...

Rail 200 Tour – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 200 In the ‘Rail 200 Tour‘ I join the Railway Touring Company‘s Charter train marking the 200th Anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: A bit of history: On 27 … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Rail 200 Tour" The post UKRJ S2 Rai...

Leeds and Ribblehead – UK Rail Journeys Series 2 – Episode 09 In ‘Leeds and Ribblehead‘ I spend time in Leeds and take a trip to Ribblehead to watch the Railway Touring Company‘s Cumbrian Mountain Express cross the viaduct. Please click on a thumbnail to see the photographs that go with the podcast: Friday evening … Continue reading "UKRJ S2 Ep09 Leeds and Ribbl...

Season 2024 – Talk 10 – The Olympics – Champions, Curiosities and Controversies In ‘The Olympics – Champions, Curiosities and Controversies’ Jo Watson takes us through a humorous  history of the summer games. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Jo’s background: Her career was with BBC Sport as a … Co...