J. Blenkinsop's Patent Steam Carriage at Middleton near Leeds (1887) by John Blenkinsop and Matthew MurrayNational Railway Museum
Freight or Passenger?
The history of the railways is linked with industry. The first engines were built to move coal at collieries.
The famous Rainhill Trials were set up due to the need to find an effective way to move goods from Liverpool to Manchester.
At the beginning, railway companies reasonably believed that freight would provide most of their business.
Opening of the First English Railway (1825) by P H ReynoldsNational Railway Museum
In fact, the public immediately fell in love with this new technology. They wanted to experience it.
Excursion trains began to be put on more regularly from the 1840s to capitalise on this interest.
In the beginning, the train journey itself was the draw.
Brass bands would often accompany the journey, providing a jovial atmosphere.
Seats for Five Persons (circa 1850) by Unknown artistNational Railway Museum
These trains were so popular that they were often overcrowded. People would cram into carriages, stand in open top wagons and even sit on the roofs of the carriages.
Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway 3rd Class Open Railway Carriage (1834) by Bodmin & Wadebridge RailwayNational Railway Museum
On Victorian railways coaches were split into three classes. In the early days only First Class passengers were given the luxury of a roof. Most travellers were at the mercy of the elements. On the bright side, this did allow for much better views!
England's Garden Isle : Isle of Wight (Circa. 1900) by Isle of Wight Railway and Isle of Wight Central RailwayNational Railway Museum
Oh I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside?
So, where were these excursions going?
Railways took passengers to a range of different activities.
Such as wrestling matches...
the theatre...
and, of course, the seaside.
Holidays for all!
Railways offered cheap excursion tickets for trains. This meant that holidays and day trips became accessible to working-class people.
As the 19th Century went on it became less common for open top wagons to be used on the railways. Meaning the working-class experience of travelling improved greatly.
Alderley Edge (1848) by Tait, A.F.National Railway Museum
While easy access to towns and cities across the nation feels ordinary today, it represented an exciting new world at the time. The railways transformed how the British experienced leisure.
Stafford from the Castle (1848) by Tait, A.F.National Railway Museum
So, when you're boarding a train to go to the beach, heading out for a weekend getaway or travelling to see a show, remember we’re not so different from the first train passengers all those decades ago.
You are all set!
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