Locomotion - Dan Snow's History of the Railways

Original version

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Locomotion: Dan Snow's History of Railways

BBC HD

BBC Four

BBC Two England

England

BBC Two Scotland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two Northern Ireland

BBC Four HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

Locomotion: Dan Snow's History of the Railways

Dan Snow

David Vincent

Eamon Hardy

Melanie Archer

Locomotion: Dan Snow's History of Railways: Episode 3

Documentaries

dan-snows-history-of-railways_s01e03_150222r_el.jpg

Episode 3

BBC Two - Locomotion: Dan Snow's History of Railways, Episode 3

The history of Britain's railways from the late 19th century to the outbreak of WWII.

Dan Snow traces the development of Britain's railways from the late 19th century to the outbreak of World War II. During this time the railways changed the economy profoundly.

Over just 50 years, Britain's railways grew from a handful of small lines carrying coal to the biggest industry in the strongest nation on the planet. A nation had built the railways and now those railways would build a nation, influencing working conditions for its employees, proving a valuable export across the globe and even changing warfare. 

Yet the story of railways up until the beginning of the Second World War concerned who they really belonged to - the private rail companies who were obsessed with profit, the public who rode them, or the government, who needed them at times of crisis but was reluctant to regulate.

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Factual: Cars & Motors

Factual: History

Dan Snow examines the development of the railways.

Dan Snow examines the development of the railways from their beginnings as track-ways for coal carts in the early 18th century to the pivotal technology for modern Britain.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Locomotion: Dan Snow's History of Railways

Episode 3

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Two HD

About BBC Two