Christian Wolmar

The opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830 marked the beginning of the railways' vital role in changing the face of Britain. This work celebrates the vision and determination of the Victorian pioneers who developed this transport system and the navvies who cut through the land to enable a countrywide network to emerge.

A New History of the Railways in Britain

Fire and Steam

Jan Jackson

Very interesting. A readable account of the growth and demise - and potential regrowth - of the UK rail system. Interestingly, the fact that it was written in 2007 means that that last chapter is already outdated in many respects. One thing that does stand out is how necessary the railways are to the integrated transport needs of this island, and how they’ve been hampered by ego, greed, and political ideology.

Fire and Steam A New History of the Railways in Britain

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