The Architecture The Railways Built
The Architecture The Railways Built is a TV show on BBC4. Tim Dunn explores the stunning architecture that lines the railway network. The program has been available since 2026. A total of 29 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in September 2026.
Last episode
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50:00The Architecture The Railways Built
Today Tim Dunn heads to the seaside to find out how the railways changed the fortunes of Margate and Ramsgate.
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1:00:00Tim Dunn takes a trip through the history of the North Staffordshire Railway Company, admiring the beautiful Stoke Station.
50:00Tim Dunn explores London's first passenger railway - the London and Greenwich Railway, on the longest railway viaduct in Britain today.
1:00:00Tim Dunn heads to Bishopstone in Sussex, a seaside station with a difference - it's also a fortress designed to defend the nation from German attack in WWII.
50:00Tim Dunn visits the popular Victorian holiday resort Saltburn-by-the-Sea, exploring the North Yorkshire town that owes its very existence to the railways.
1:00:00Tim Dunn heads underground at the magnificent Victorian Bramhope Tunnel in West Yorkshire, one of the longest tunnels in Britain when it was built.
50:00Tim Dunn uncovers the secrets above, below and inside London's Charing Cross Station. He also looks at the modern wonder of the Ordsall Chord in Manchester.
1:00:00Tim Dunn explores Brunel's first and last railway projects and looks at a Scottish station with a royal connection.
50:00Tim Dunn takes to the tracks in Newcastle to explore a city rich in railway architecture. He also looks at two recording breaking structures in Scotland.
Series 2
1:00:00
1:00:00Tim Dunn explores Wingfield, one of the oldest surviving railways and uncovers the longest brick viaduct in the UK, the Welland Viaduct in Northamptonshire.
50:00Tim Dunn explores Huddersfield's Grade I listed station and examines the station's clock, and visits Cologne's magnificent Hohenzollern Bridge in Germany.
1:00:00Tim Dunn goes behind the scenes at Bristol Temple Meads, a Grade 1 listed station, and is given special access to Brunel's old Tudor station and boardroom.
50:00Tim visits Sheffield station which been reinvented for the 21st century. He also helps to restore the Bennerley Viaduct in the Erewash valley.
1:00:00Tim explores the last working roundhouse in the UK, Barrow Hill in Derbyshire. Tim also visits Bath, a city renowned for its Georgian architecture.
50:00
Tim Dunn rides on a funicular railway powered by water. Also, how an abandoned Victorian railway tunnel in Northamptonshire is being transformed into a racetrack.
1:00:00Tim Dunn is in London exploring the striking stations of the Piccadilly Line's northern extension. Tim also takes a look at Causey Arch in County Durham.
50:00Tim Dunn is in Windsor to learn how two rail companies fought to be first to get to Queen Victoria. He also explores the Connel Bridge in the Scottish Highlands.
1:00:00Tim Dunn visits the Royal Albert Bridge and discovers how it was constructed. He also visits Wolverhampton to learn the history of its train stations.
50:00Tim Dunn visits Wemyss Bay Station in Inverclyde - an architectural gem. He also explores the engineering marvel that is Blackfriars station in central London.
Series 1 1:00:00
1:00:00Tim Dunn visits Swindon's railway village, which became home to Great Western's enormous works and he also explores the dark and secret past of Milan's monumental station.