Wagonways for moving coal in the mining areas started in the 17th century and were often associated with canal or river systems for the further movement of coal. The first applications of the steam locomotive were on wagon or plate ways. Horse-drawn public railways didn’t begin until the early 19th century when improvements to pig and wrought iron production were lowering costs
Reducing friction was one of the major reasons for the success of railroads compared to wagons. After the introduction of high pressure steam engines, steam locomotives began being built. These were much smaller in size and lighter weight fo a given horsepower than the stationary condensing engines. Steam-hauled public railways began with the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.
The first inter-city railway in the world was opened on 15 September in 1830. It was called the Liverpool and Manchester Railway and the opening was attended by Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington. Joseph Locke and George Stephenson engineered the railway which linked the industrial town Manchester with the port town of Liverpool. The opening was packed with problems, since the technology was not as developed like it is today. However the problems were ironed out and the railway became highly successful, transporting people and supplies. The success of the inter-city railway let to the Railway Mania. Constructions of major railways connecting the larger cities and towns began with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway but it only gained momentum at the end of the Industrial Revolution. Many of the workers that worked on the railways did not return to their rural lifestyles after they completed the railways, instead they remained in the cities, providing additional workers for the factories.
Reducing friction was one of the major reasons for the success of railroads compared to wagons. After the introduction of high pressure steam engines, steam locomotives began being built. These were much smaller in size and lighter weight fo a given horsepower than the stationary condensing engines. Steam-hauled public railways began with the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.
The first inter-city railway in the world was opened on 15 September in 1830. It was called the Liverpool and Manchester Railway and the opening was attended by Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington. Joseph Locke and George Stephenson engineered the railway which linked the industrial town Manchester with the port town of Liverpool. The opening was packed with problems, since the technology was not as developed like it is today. However the problems were ironed out and the railway became highly successful, transporting people and supplies. The success of the inter-city railway let to the Railway Mania. Constructions of major railways connecting the larger cities and towns began with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway but it only gained momentum at the end of the Industrial Revolution. Many of the workers that worked on the railways did not return to their rural lifestyles after they completed the railways, instead they remained in the cities, providing additional workers for the factories.