Dan Snow examines the development of the railways from their beginnings as
track-ways for coal carts in the early 18th century to the pivotal technology
for modern Britain.
In Episode One Dan Snow charts the development of the UK's rail network,
from its beginnings as a primitive system of track ways for coal carts in the
early 18th century up to the present day. Rapid industrial growth during the
19th century, coupled with the prospect of vast profits, drove inventors and
entrepreneurs to develop steam locomotives, metal tracks and an array of daring
tunnels, cuttings and bridges that created a nationwide system of railways in
just 30 years. George Stephenson's Liverpool and Manchester Railway became
the model for future inter-city travel and his fast, reliable locomotive the
Rocket began a quest for speed that has defined the modern world.
Episode two examines the impact the railway had on London in the late 1830s,
linking it to Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. This was the start of a
truly national network and one of the greatest civil engineering projects in
history, while tycoons including Samuel Morton Peto and George Hudson made
fortunes as the stock markets boomed. However, the bubble burst in 1847 and
shares plummeted, leaving thousands of people facing bankruptcy courts.
In Episode Three Dan examines how in just 50 years, Britain's railways grew
from a handful of small lines carrying coal to become the nations' biggest
industry. The emergence of the rail network changed working conditions for
British employees, proved a valuable export across the globe and even changed
the way war was waged.
Dan takes us on one of the most significant sagas of change in our history,
the revolution of rail and couples the story together beautifully over three
one-hour episodes.