‘The Jacobite’ crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland.

© Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 2.0. Source
Subjects

Railways

Stories about the British transport revolution that changed the world, from the first locomotive and the first whistle to Flying Scotsman.

There are thirty-seven posts in The Copy Book tagged Railways. To see all our posts, go to the Archive.

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1

Brigands and Imbeciles

John Bright dismissed fears that digging a tunnel under the English Channel would encourage a French invasion.

2

The Great Brassey Keeps his Word

Once railway engineer Thomas Brassey made a promise he kept it — even if he wasn’t aware that he’d made one.

3

Private Risk, Public Benefit

For George Stephenson, the motto of the Stockton and Darlington Railway was a code to live by.

4

Left Holding the Baby

A gentleman travelling home from London by train reached his destination carrying more than he set out with.

5

Lighting-Up Time

William Murdoch and Samuel Clegg brought warmth and light into the country’s streets, factories and homes, but the public didn’t make it easy.

6

The Uganda Railway

When it opened in 1901, the Uganda Railway still wasn’t in Uganda, and Westminster’s MPs were still debating whether or not to build it.