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Dan Snow looks at how, from their beginnings as track-ways for coal carts in the early 18th century, railways developed into the pivotal technology for modern Britain.

From their beginnings as a primitive system of track-ways for coal carts in the early 18th century, railways quickly developed into the driving force behind the industrial revolution and the pivotal technology for modern Britain, and a connected world.

Rapid industrial growth during the early 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 for the next century and his fast, reliable locomotive, the Rocket, began a quest for speed that has defined our modern world.

59 minutes

Last on

Thu 15 Dec 2022 01:45

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Dan Snow
Producer Dick Taylor
Director Dick Taylor
Executive Producer Eamon Hardy
Series Producer Melanie Archer

Broadcasts

  • Tue 15 Jan 2013 21:00
  • Wed 16 Jan 2013 23:20
  • Mon 21 Jan 2013 00:30
  • Mon 21 Jan 2013 23:20
  • Tue 28 May 2013 19:00
  • Sun 26 Jul 2015 19:00
  • Mon 4 Apr 2016 20:00
  • Tue 5 Apr 2016 02:00
  • Wed 7 Jun 2017 23:00
  • Mon 30 Oct 2017 15:15
  • Sun 27 May 2018 21:30
  • Mon 28 May 2018 02:00
  • Sun 21 Oct 2018 19:00
  • Tue 15 Feb 2022 23:00
  • Sun 27 Nov 2022 15:50
  • Sun 27 Nov 2022 15:55
  • Thu 15 Dec 2022 01:45

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