Riding Britain's Railways

Steam power and steam railways helped transform 19th century Britain into the world's first industrial nation. In this first episode, Dan explores the earliest steam railways and their links to the burgeoning Lancashire cotton industry, discovering how railway pioneers George and Robert Stephenson created the first regular rail service from Manchester to Liverpool in 1830.

Host Dan Cruickshank follows the work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the brilliant engineer of great originality who designed the Great Western Railway and the first transatlantic steamer. The magnificent steam locomotives of the Great Western Railway were a combination of elegance and raw power.

In this episode, our story focuses on the railways on the frontline - moving troops to the front, rescuing them when they retreated, evacuating civilians, suffering nightly bombardment during the Blitz and playing a vital role in the build up to D-Day. Dan explores the work and heroism of the railway men and women as well as exploring the vital technology and engineering that kept the railways running during this turbulent historical period. Dan's journey starts on the line to Dover.