Season 1

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.

Dan Snow traces the development of Britain's railways, from the beginnings of a true national network in the late 1830s through to the end of the 'railway mania' in 1847.

Dan Snow traces the development of Britain's railways from the late 19th century to the outbreak of World War II. During this time the railways changed the economy profoundly.