Changing Britain - Railways Flashcards
What was the period of RAILWAY MANIA in Great Britain?
The 1840s
Who opposed the development of railways?
Landowners, transport companies, farmers, doctors, individuals
What concerns did landowners have about railways?
- Ruin their estates
- Invasion of privacy
- Forced detours or high land prices
Why did transport companies oppose railways?
Their livelihood was threatened by competition from railways
What were farmers’ concerns regarding railways?
- Dangers to livestock
- Noise and smoke affecting hens and cows
- Sparks setting fields alight
What health problems did doctors associate with rail travel?
- Heart attacks
- Injuries from accidents
- Suffocation in tunnels
Who was shot at while surveying for a railway line?
George Stephenson
What motivated businessmen to support railways?
The opportunity to make money and invest in rail companies
How did railways transform the lives of ordinary people?
- Affordable travel
- Ability to commute
- Access to holidays
What significant event in 1842 boosted railway development?
Queen Victoria traveled by train and endorsed it
What were the main areas of improvement in railways by the late 19th century?
- Signalling
- Braking
- Passenger comfort
- Building bridges
What advancements were made in railway signalling by 1841?
Mechanically operated signals replaced hand signals
What feature was added to trains by 1906 for safety?
‘Dead man’s handle’ to stop trains automatically
How did passenger comfort improve from the 1830s to the 1840s?
- Introduction of seats and roofs for 3rd class
- Luxurious 1st and 2nd class carriages
What was the average speed of trains in 1830?
15 mph
What was the impact of railways on rural communities?
Ended rural isolation and allowed easy movement
What effect did railways have on shopping?
- Wider variety of goods available
- Improved diet due to fresh produce transport
How did railways influence leisure activities?
- Enabled affordable travel for holidays
- Growth of seaside resorts
- Organized excursions for working-class families
What was the result of standardising time due to railways?
Clocks were synchronized to Greenwich Mean Time
How did the coal industry benefit from railways?
Expanded coalmines and increased transport of heavy loads
What industries flourished due to railway transport?
- Coal
- Borders woollen
- Shipbuilding
How did agriculture benefit from railways?
- Quick transport of cattle and fresh produce to markets
What impact did railways have on the newspaper industry?
Enabled rapid distribution of newspapers nationwide
How did the railway industry contribute to economic growth?
- Created demand for iron and steel
- Generated employment for railway workers
What was the number of railway navvies in the 1840s?
Over 250,000
What was essential for the country to progress in the C19th?
Improved transport
The existing transport infrastructure was inadequate, consisting of poor roads and expensive canals.
How many railway navvies were there in the 1840s?
Over 250,000
This number reflects the significant employment created by the railway industry.
What technological advances made the development of railways possible in the early C19th?
Improvements in iron making techniques and the invention of the steam engine
These advances allowed for stronger metal rails and powered locomotives.
Who was the first to adapt the steam engine for railway use?
Richard Trevithick
He publicized his steam locomotive invention in 1808.
What was the first public railway service and when did it open?
The Stockton and Darlington railway, opened in 1825
This railway used steam locomotives for the first time in public transport.
What was the speed of the first train pulled by Locomotion?
12 miles per hour
This speed was considered incredible for the time.
What was the significance of the Liverpool-Manchester railway?
It was the first passenger steam locomotive railway in the world
Opened in September 1830, it represented a major advancement in public transport.
What was the pulling speed of Stephenson’s Rocket during the Rainhill Trials?
29 miles per hour
This speed was achieved while pulling a loaded train.
Fill in the blank: The first steam engines were developed by _______.
Thomas Newcomen
Newcomen’s engines were later improved by James Watt.
Which engineer designed the Stockton and Darlington railway?
George Stephenson
He was instrumental in the development of early railways.
True or False: The railway industry employed a variety of roles including porters and signalmen.
True
The employment opportunities created by the railway industry were diverse.
What was the average number of passengers carried by the Liverpool-Manchester railway by 1831?
1,250 passengers per day
The railway was successful and affordable for ordinary people.
What type of infrastructure was necessary for the Liverpool-Manchester railway?
Tunnels, cuttings, embankments, and bridges
This included three tunnels, a 20-meter deep cutting, and 63 bridges.
