History of Rail Transport in Great Britain
                     
 



 
History of Rail Transport in 

Great Britain 

Image Credit:Wikiwand 


Rail Transport in Great 
Britain-Railroads 

Moving Goods and 
People 

Principles of TDL 

c 4 A 

 
Image Credit:Historic UK 


• The first systems within the good reputation for rail transport could be tracked 
to wagon ways in A holiday in Greece around 600 BC. 
 
• These wagon ways consisted of channels that led the wheels from the cart or 

wagon. 
 
• The very first wagon way was the Diolkos wagon way that was used for 650 

years. 
 
• Wagon ways invented in A holiday in Greece around 600 BC were the first 

systems of rail type transport. 
 
• These wagon ways contained channels that led the wheels from the cart or 

wagon. By developing a packed funnel or guide way, the cart was easier 
pulled by horses or oxen. 
 
• The very first wagon way  was the Diolkos wagon way that was employed 

for 650 years. 


Other Early Tracked Roads 

 

German “Hunds” – they were also 
known as named tub rails used in 
mining in the 1500’s. 
 


Key to Success of 
Railroads 

Railroads reduce friction which permit greater 
loads to become moved with less energy. 

 

Bulk dense goods could be moved more 
proficiently and cheap in cost. 

 


Very First Railways 

Pre-1605  James Clifford used a funicular 
in Shropshire, England to manoeuvre 
coal. 

 

George Stephenson in the UK  produced 
the very first effective steam locomotive. 

 


Economics of Early Rail 

Early railroads in England dropped the price of 
shipping by 60 - 70% 

 

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad elevated $,000,000 
to finance construction in 12 days in 1827. 


Golden Age of Railroad 1878-1945 
1880 - 17,800 freight locomotives and 22,200 passenger locomotives in 
America. 

 

1883 - Standard time zones were adopted through the railroad. 

 

1916 - US had 230,468.32 miles of track. 

 

1917 - Railroads nationalized during The First World War 

 

1940’s - The Second World War 
 

brings greatest ridership in US History as trains are accustomed to 
transport soldiers. 

 


Railroads of Today 

 $60 Billion industry 

 

 140,000 rail miles 

 

 221,000 jobs (2012) 

 

 Makes up about 40% people freight 
transport 

 


Railroads of Today 

Image Credit:Wikipedia 


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