This work documents the growth of rail travel, it explores the rise of the major railway companies and stations around the country and examines the role and impact of the railway in everyday life - from moving troops during the war to allowing people to go about their everyday lives in peacetime.
Part I All change!: The growth of rail travel and its impact; early
reactions to the railway; Victoria takes a ride; the development of railway
carriages; the Pullman; industrial railways; working on the railways; the
railway inspectorate; the railway clearing house; day in the life of a
shedmaster; British railway electrification; railway works towns; day in the
life of a signalman; the General Strike; day in the life of a steam engine
driver; the railway modernisation plan; day in the life of a country station
master; the Beeching axe; dawn of the diesel era. Part II Tickets please!:
The rise of the major railway companies and the creation of the great
stations; The London, Midland and Scottish Railway; The Great Western
Railway; The London and North Eastern Railway; The Southern Railway; The
Metropolitan Railway; King's Cross & St Pancras stations; Liverpool Street
Station; Waterloo Station; Crewe Station; York Station. Part III: All
aboard!: The role of the railway in everyday life; showbiz specials; railway
hotels; holiday train excursions; railways & the cinema; home front; the
vital artery; the armoured train; women on the railway; civilians on the
move; sabotage on the railways; crime on the railways.
