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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

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

BBC Radio 4 LW

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 5

Railways - Nation, Network and People

Episode 5

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Railways - Nation, Network and People, Episode 5

The revolution of track and engine gave birth to a new species - the railway enthusiast.

The revolution of track and engine gave birth to a new species - the railway enthusiast. Today there is so much more to 'trainspotting' than just numbers.

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 5: The enduring appeal of the railways - enthusiasts are so much more than just trainspotters. And what do trainspotters do anyway? 

Read by Stephen Tompkinson
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for 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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