Fire and Steam: A New History of the Railways in BritainNow in paperback, Fire and Steam tells the dramatic story of the people and events that shaped the world's first railway network, one of the most impressive engineering achievements in history. The opening of the pioneering Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830 marked the beginning of the railways' vital role in changing the face of Britain. Fire and Steam celebrates the vision and determination of the ambitious Victorian pioneers who developed this revolutionary transport system and the navvies who cut through the land to enable a country-wide network to emerge. The rise of the steam train allowed goods and people to circulate around Britain as never before, stimulating the growth of towns and industry, as well many of the facets of modern life, from fish and chips to professional football. From the early days of steam to electrification, via the railways' magnificent contribution in two world wars, the checkered history of British Rail, and the buoyant future of the train, Fire and Steam examines the social and economical importance of the railway and how it helped to form the Britain of today. |
Contents
Getting the Railway Habit | |
Joining Up Britain | |
Changing Britain | |
Railways Everywhere | |
Speeding to Danger | |
The Only Way to Get There | |
Fighting Together Reluctantly | |
Compromise The Big Four | |
And Then There Was | |
An Undeserved Reputation 15 The Future is Rail | |
Notes | |
Further Reading | |
Great But Not Necessarily Good | |
The Agatha Christie Railway | |
Danger and Exploitation on the Tracks | |
Index | |
List of Maps and Illustrations | |
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Common terms and phrases
accident amalgamation ASLEF became Big Four brakes branch line bridge Brighton Britain British Rail British Railway History British Transport Commission building built canal capital carriages cent century coaches coal competition construction cost created David & Charles despite drivers early electrification engines Euston fares freight gauge improved industry investment Jack Simmons journey Junction King’s Cross later Liverpool & Manchester LNER London & Birmingham London & North London Underground main line major managers Manchester Railway Midland miles National Railway Museum nationalization Network Rail North Western opened operating Parliament passengers privatization profits Railtrack railway companies railway mania railway network railway workers Railwaymen ref1 ref2 ref3 ref4 ref5 ref6 ref7 ref8 ref9 refl rival road route schemes Scotland signal South Eastern speed St Pancras station steam locomotives Stephenson Stockton & Darlington timetable towns track traffic trains transport tunnel unions Victorian wagons