Rail In The Victorian Era Essay

When the first modern British rail line, the Stockton and Darlington line, was opened in 1825, it was the beginning of a major transformation in transportation. By the end of the century, there was 18,680 miles of railway and over 1.1 billion passengers and large portions of freight were carried by rail in England (Atterbury). The railroad connected many parts of England, which made it easier to connect the country. Goods and services could be transported cheaper and faster using the railroad, and brought back lots of money for England, making it a great investment. The development of the railway in the Victorian Era helped start a revolution in transportation, communication, and the general economy because it helped transport people and goods

While it is true that in recent years rail transport has declined in some countries like the U.S. due to the invention of cars, trucks and airplanes, rail was still the most popular mode of transport in the United Kingdom into the 20th century. There are many Victorian railway stations that are still used today; most famously Paddington and St. Pancras in London, and York station. Some lines that fell into disuse in the 20th century have now been resurrected by rail enthusiasts, and there are also many rail museums which present information about the Victorian railway system (Ross). Victorian railways also had an impact on the economy, as when the first railways were being built in other countries, Britain could export locomotives and railway equipment to those countries, and in return receive payment to maintain their own railways, which would be a win-win deal. The railway also influenced the early telegraph, as the first telegraph linked Euston station and the town of Camden, and rail stations all across Britain were connected by the telegraph, and later, the telephone (Atterbury). Finally, the railroad was not the only transportation system that are still used today. Other transportation systems that first developed in the Victorian Era and are still in use today are the London Underground and the bus