What Do You Think Were The Effects Of Railways On Britain ?

Question

In Your Opinion, What Social, Economic, Cultural And Political Changes Do You Think Trains Had On Britain ?

Thanks.

Answer 1

well trains regulated time as from south england to north scotland there could be a time difference of about 40 mins,

Answer 2

Were? they didn't decide to close all the rail lines in Britain so that there are no railways now?!?!?!

socially they are now very popular despite being expensive. If you ever experienced the British Rail trains (shudder) then you will know it is a million times better today.

The problem is congestion and punctuality despite on average 88% trains arrive on time. Although back in 2000 20% were on time due to railworks after the Hatfield rail crash.

The government is fairly in the middle in terms of rail infrastructure. They're not keen on huge changes like a new high speed rail line, but they know the railways have to be efficient.

In my experience (I live along the West Coast ain Line which has the Pendolino tilting trains) they are better than several trains networks in Europe like spain, italy, portugal, austra etc

Answer 3

Methinks this is a homework question?

Righto.

Railways brought mass transport of goods and passengers at speeds and quantities never before seen. Cities and towns were able to expand, because of the transport opportunities offered by railways that increased trade and travel.

Some towns, e.g. Swindon, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster owed their growth largely to the railway while others, e.g. Bristol, Brighton, had railway engineering significant to their growth.

Time throughout the UK was unified, because the railways needed a standard time, whereas before, local time was used, with several minutes' difference depending on latitude.

1801 saw the Act of Union between Britain and Ireland. Result: Irish MPs now had to meet in the House of Commons, thus demand for better rail and sea connections between Ireland and Britain.

Integrated transport dates back to 1844 when Parliament passed the Railway Clearing House Act, which meant that all railway companies had to be regulated by government.

Nationalisation came in 1948 but the railways had effectively come under government control before that i.e. during WW2 when they were essential to the war effort. No other transport system could have moved men, machines, arms and munitions so quickly and efficiently and much of the demand for raw materials e.g. coal was to keep the railways going.

Post - Nationalisation the railways became a unified public service which for many years had most of the freight and passengers but since the 1960's has had increasing competition from road and air transport.

Nowadays the railway is an important link between Britain and the Continent via the Channel Tunnel, the debate still goes on as to whether the railways in Britain should be renationalised.

Most European rail networks are state-owned.

Hope this helps, Good Luck :->

Answer 4

Vast. Social - enabled mobility. Until the coming of the railways people rarely moved out of the locality where they were born. Diet improved. Railways brought fresh milk to towns, fish to inland places.People began to take holidays for the first time. Economic. Enabled movement of goods far more easily. Raw goods to factories, manufactured goods to point of sale or export. Britain became 'the workshop of the world' Cultural. Began the homogenisation of our culture which accelerated in the 20th century with radio and television. Political. Not a lot of influence, in my opinion.