Who invented victorian railways

They come from two police folders on the case which contain a vast collection of hand written witness statements made in police stations all over London including Clapham Junction, Kennington and Tottenham for example, letters to the police advising them about their investigation, and how to improve rail safety, newspaper clippings collected by the police commenting on the investigation and court proceedings and so on.

Please note there are further examples of crime associated with railways in our Crime and Punishment website. In addition you could also ask students to consider what other sources they could use to find out more regarding the social context of crime. For example, census returns, newspapers, letters, criminal depositions and photographs available on this website focus on issues of 19 th poverty and social deprivation. For this lesson, pupils can work in pairs or small groups to study each sources and report back to the whole class to discuss the answers to the questions.

Alternatively, pupils can work through the tasks independently. Potential activities: Creative writing for a newspaper report on the first railway murder in ; research other original sources which illustrate the social impact the railway network Related resources A Victorian prison Why were Victorian Prisons so tough? This website uses cookies We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work.

Set cookie preferences. Skip to Main Content. Search our website Search Discovery, our catalogue. View full image. Lesson at a glance. Potential activities: Creative writing for a newspaper report on the first railway murder in ; research other original sources which illustrate the social impact the railway network.

Did they create more crime? Use this lesson to explore sources relating to criminal activity based around railways. Who has written it? What is the report is about?

What happened to the women involved in the crime when they went to court [Middlesex Sessions]? What do you think of their sentence? Why do you think these women were punished like this? Why would a railway station offer opportunities for crime?

Why do you think the Home Office kept a criminal register? How could this type of source be used by historians studying 19 th century crime? What was age of the boy concerned? Why do you think he carried out this theft? Does this source give any insight into police methods at the time? Press ESC to cancel. Useful tips. Esther Fleming April 2, Table of Contents. Previous Article Is Bounty a good paper towel brand?

However, during this time, many prominent engineers, mainly canal builders, fought against locomotive workings as they were not proven and many were in favor of horse haulage. However, many advocates of the locomotive were rapidly promoting steam traction, therefore, a trial was to be held to decide which motive power would be used, horse or locomotive.

These trials, called the Rainhill trials, took place for locomotive traction to prove their superiority. One of the first locomotives produced was called the Northumbrian. The Northumbrian was similar to the Rocket, and was utilized during the grand opening of the railway.

Many subsequent Rocket type locomotives were produced at the works, some even shipped abroad. As a result, many similar locomotive manufacturers sprang up throughout the country, as the construction of the Great Western Railway resulted in the opening of various shops, including the storied Swindon Works.

As perceptions of railways creating significant revenue increased, various prominent businessmen took advantage of the idea, and by the s, railways were spread throughout the country. This is a result of unfulfilled promises, as there was little to no regulation during this time.

One of the most prominent sources of the boom was the increase in industry and manufacturing, of which, railways could transport goods throughout the country, while doing so efficiently and at a low rate. According to Victorian Web , although many losses during this time were due to fraudulent dealings, much was blamed on sub-par business practices, poor planning, and investors not having ample capital on hand.

Many prominent businessmen were enticing investors with railway shares in order to interest them in other business dealings, therefore, the promised railway was never built, leaving investors in colossal debt. As a result of these massive debts and lack of capital, the economy of Britain took a downward turn. Once this act was repealed, anyone with abundant savings was able to invest in the new railway companies, especially those who lived in the towns the railway was promised to journey through, therefore,lack of return left many without their hard-earned savings.

Due to these economic policies, railway lines could receive parliamentary approval without proof of profitability, therefore, many were never built or abandoned. As a result, various large railways such as the Great Western Railway GWR , attained much of the abandoned or unfinished rail lines and turned them into profitable enterprises.

As railway mania faded into the past, railways became profitable as regulatory measures were implemented. Although, railway mania differed from most negative economic affairs, as the event sparked interest in the railways and began rapid construction throughout the country.

This is significant, because in just two short years , 6, miles of railway were built. Traveling on Victorian trains is oftentimes romanticized, however, this could not be further from the truth. Many were frightened to ride the railway, as threats of accidents scared potential passengers. Derailments and accidents on the early railways were prevalent, as with all new advancements, little was known about the budding industry.

Additionally, a Victorian belief that a train ride could cause insanity was prevalent during this time. Therefore, threats of attacks from these individuals were common fears. It is believed that the motion and sounds of the train could cause a sane person to become insane once the train was in motion. It is recalled from numerous passengers that these individuals seemed calm when the train came to a station stop, however, threw tantrums once the train was in motion. It was also believed that the vibrations of the trains could cause nerve damage, and even more peculiar, cause a person to disintegrate at high speeds, usually in excess of 50 mph.

As these issues became commonplace, separate berths with locked doors became available. However, in some instances, this could put passengers in greater danger,as now they would be trapped in the berth until help arrived. Although many were fearful of the implications of traveling on Victorian trains, the newspaper and media enjoyed publishing elaborate stories about the trials and tribulations of the rails.