Chris Barrie's Massive Engines

Season 1

Comedy actor and car fanatic Chris Barrie explores the development of engines from their humble beginnings in the 18th century to their monstrous progeny today

Where to Watch Chris Barrie's Massive Engines • Season 1

10 Episodes

Diggers
E1
DiggersComedy actor and car fanatic Chris Barrie explores the development of digger engines from their invention in the 19th century to the monstrous models used today. Featuring the electrically powered bucket wheel excavator, and a tunneling machine at work under the streets of Dublin
Racing Cars
E2
Racing CarsExploring the evolution of the racing car engine with a visit to the museum at Beaulieu to see some of the most powerful early models
Rockets
E3
RocketsThe evolution of rocket power, from the fireworks of the ancient Chinese to the monsters of the space race
Bikes
E4
BikesChris Barrie turns his attention to his favorite type of vehicle - the motorcycle. He takes to the road on a Twenties Brough Superior - the first bike to reach 100mph - and rides through the badlands of Buckinghamshire with his own Harley-Davidson gang
Airliners
E5
AirlinersChris Barrie tells the story of how passenger aircraft were developed from First World War bombers through to modern jumbos with huge jet engines
Pumps
E6
PumpsComedy actor and car fanatic Chris Barrie discovers how steam engines evolved during the 1880s to pump an essential clean water supply to the public.
Ships
E7
ShipsChris explores the development of engines on ships, from 18th-century steam power to modern diesel vessels. He takes a trip up the Thames in a paddle steamer, goes inside the 2,100 horsepower engine of the last ocean-going paddle steamer PS Waverley and discovers what propelled HMS Belfast
Trucks
E8
TrucksComedy actor and car fanatic Chris Barrie explores the development of truck engines. He examines 19th-century steam-powered machines and the advent of diesel in the 1930s, before turning his attention to Europe's largest modern vehicle - the Caterpillar 789. This monster has a capacity of 69-litre engine and 16 cylinders
Airships
E9
AirshipsThe presenter explores the history of airships, from the early hot-air balloons of the Montgolfier Brothers, to the ill-fated transatlantic passenger liners of the 1930s. He also visits the historic hangars at Cardington, where he takes a ride on a sky hopper. Plus, a look at the Zeppelin company, examining its early bombers and new prototype cargo carrier.
Locomotives
E10
LocomotivesComedy actor and car fanatic Chris Barrie explores the development of trains, including the steam locomotive that became a symbol of Thirties luxury and people's never-ending fascination with speed.