Book Description

Throughout this engaging book is a series of 'milepost' features on key events, eras and personalities in the history of Britain's railways. From the enormous role the railways played in the World Wars to modern events, like the opening of the Channel Tunnel, this extensive book shows you how British history is firmly tied to the railways. The story is traced from early 'waggonways', through the steam era to today's diesel and electric railways.Mapping the Railways will appeal to railway enthusiasts, historians and general interest readers alike.Over 100 railway maps:,*Historical and modern rail network maps,*Extracts from Ordnance Survey sheets,*Plans for proposed railway schemesPivotal events in railway history:,*The nineteenth century saw the foundations laid for our modern railway network, with huge building projects constructing thousands of miles of track, bridges and tunnels,*Expansion slowed in the early twentieth century as competition from the car and the lorry began to bite,*Railways made an enormous contribution to the World Wars, then underwent massive re-equipment after nationalization