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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Railways - Nation, Network and People

Simon Bradley

Stephen Tompkinson

Jill Waters

Book of the Week: Railways - Nation, Network and People: Episode 3

Railways - Nation, Network and People

Episode 3

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Railways - Nation, Network and People, Episode 3

The sweep of change meant that things were different off the trains too.

The great sweep of social and economic change which the railways initiated meant that not only could we now move faster, but things were different when we stopped too.

A magnificent account of Britain's railways and how track and carriage united a nation.

This series of readings includes an exploration of many aspects of the railway revolution, such as the challenges of 'railway time', the nuances of first, second and third class, the dificulties of lighting and heating, passenger comfort, what to eat when travelling and the history of refreshment stops and the commercial opportunities they brought - including the establishment of W.H.Smith and Son, who became the nation's first high street bookstore. Architecture and engineering are also covered, alongside the impact on social classes and gender. 

Passengers may have a love-hate relationship with our railways, but few of us know much about the journey taken to get to where we are now.

"Simon Bradley's The Railways is magisterial. It's both authoritative and absorbing. A first class journey." Michael Palin

Episode 3. The great sweep of social and economic change initiated by the railways meant that not only could we now move faster, but things were different when we stopped. 

Read by Stephen Tompkinson
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Simon Bradley's account of the impact that the railways had on the United Kingdom.

Simon Bradley's account of the revolutionary impact that the railways had on the United Kingdom. Read by Stephen Tompkinson.

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Railways - Nation, Network and People

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