The Rest Is History 140. The Birth of the Railways
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Jan 20, 2022 
Join historian Dan Jackson, expert on the Northeast of England and author of The Northumbrians, as he delves into the fascinating history of railways. Discover the thrilling origins of trains and their role in standardizing GMT in Britain. Explore how railways transformed Victorian society, reshaping livelihoods and landscapes. Jackson shares intriguing anecdotes, including the dramatic opening day of the railway and George Stevenson's quirky cucumber straightening invention, blending humor and history in a compelling storytelling journey.
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Ancient and Early Railways
- Railways have multiple origins, from ancient Greece's Diolkos to German miners' wagonways.
- Early wagonways appeared in England around the late 16th century, primarily for coal transport.
Early Steam Engines as Novelties
- Trevithick's early steam engine, Catch Me If You Can, was initially seen as a novelty.
- It wasn't until later that steam engines and rails were combined practically.
War as a Catalyst
- The Napoleonic Wars spurred railway development due to horse and fodder shortages.
- This led to breakthroughs like Matthew Murray's Salamanca and Puffing Billy.