Changing Britain - Railways

Question 1

What was the period of RAILWAY MANIA in Great Britain?

Answer 1

The 1840s

Question 2

Who opposed the development of railways?

Answer 2

Landowners, transport companies, farmers, doctors, individuals

Question 3

What concerns did landowners have about railways?

Answer 3

• Ruin their estates
• Invasion of privacy
• Forced detours or high land prices

Question 4

Why did transport companies oppose railways?

Answer 4

Their livelihood was threatened by competition from railways

Question 5

What were farmers’ concerns regarding railways?

Answer 5

• Dangers to livestock
• Noise and smoke affecting hens and cows
• Sparks setting fields alight

Question 6

What health problems did doctors associate with rail travel?

Answer 6

• Heart attacks
• Injuries from accidents
• Suffocation in tunnels

Question 7

Who was shot at while surveying for a railway line?

Answer 7

George Stephenson

Question 8

What motivated businessmen to support railways?

Answer 8

The opportunity to make money and invest in rail companies

Question 9

How did railways transform the lives of ordinary people?

Answer 9

• Affordable travel
• Ability to commute
• Access to holidays

Question 10

What significant event in 1842 boosted railway development?

Answer 10

Queen Victoria traveled by train and endorsed it

Question 11

What were the main areas of improvement in railways by the late 19th century?

Answer 11

• Signalling
• Braking
• Passenger comfort
• Building bridges

Question 12

What advancements were made in railway signalling by 1841?

Answer 12

Mechanically operated signals replaced hand signals

Question 13

What feature was added to trains by 1906 for safety?

Answer 13

‘Dead man’s handle’ to stop trains automatically

Question 14

How did passenger comfort improve from the 1830s to the 1840s?

Answer 14

• Introduction of seats and roofs for 3rd class
• Luxurious 1st and 2nd class carriages

Question 15

What was the average speed of trains in 1830?

Answer 15

15 mph

Question 16

What was the impact of railways on rural communities?

Answer 16

Ended rural isolation and allowed easy movement

Question 17

What effect did railways have on shopping?

Answer 17

• Wider variety of goods available
• Improved diet due to fresh produce transport

Question 18

How did railways influence leisure activities?

Answer 18

• Enabled affordable travel for holidays
• Growth of seaside resorts
• Organized excursions for working-class families

Question 19

What was the result of standardising time due to railways?

Answer 19

Clocks were synchronized to Greenwich Mean Time

Question 20

How did the coal industry benefit from railways?

Answer 20

Expanded coalmines and increased transport of heavy loads

Question 21

What industries flourished due to railway transport?

Answer 21

• Coal
• Borders woollen
• Shipbuilding

Question 22

How did agriculture benefit from railways?

Answer 22

• Quick transport of cattle and fresh produce to markets

Question 23

What impact did railways have on the newspaper industry?

Answer 23

Enabled rapid distribution of newspapers nationwide

Question 24

How did the railway industry contribute to economic growth?

Answer 24

• Created demand for iron and steel
• Generated employment for railway workers

Question 25

What was the number of railway navvies in the 1840s?

Answer 25

Over 250,000

Question 26

What was essential for the country to progress in the C19th?

Answer 26

Improved transport ## Footnote The existing transport infrastructure was inadequate, consisting of poor roads and expensive canals.

Question 27

How many railway navvies were there in the 1840s?

Answer 27

Over 250,000 ## Footnote This number reflects the significant employment created by the railway industry.

Question 28

What technological advances made the development of railways possible in the early C19th?

Answer 28

Improvements in iron making techniques and the invention of the steam engine ## Footnote These advances allowed for stronger metal rails and powered locomotives.

Question 29

Who was the first to adapt the steam engine for railway use?

Answer 29

Richard Trevithick ## Footnote He publicized his steam locomotive invention in 1808.

Question 30

What was the first public railway service and when did it open?

Answer 30

The Stockton and Darlington railway, opened in 1825 ## Footnote This railway used steam locomotives for the first time in public transport.

Question 31

What was the speed of the first train pulled by Locomotion?

Answer 31

12 miles per hour ## Footnote This speed was considered incredible for the time.

Question 32

What was the significance of the Liverpool-Manchester railway?

Answer 32

It was the first passenger steam locomotive railway in the world ## Footnote Opened in September 1830, it represented a major advancement in public transport.

Question 33

What was the pulling speed of Stephenson's Rocket during the Rainhill Trials?

Answer 33

29 miles per hour ## Footnote This speed was achieved while pulling a loaded train.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: The first steam engines were developed by _______.

Answer 34

Thomas Newcomen ## Footnote Newcomen's engines were later improved by James Watt.

Question 35

Which engineer designed the Stockton and Darlington railway?

Answer 35

George Stephenson ## Footnote He was instrumental in the development of early railways.

Question 36

True or False: The railway industry employed a variety of roles including porters and signalmen.

Answer 36

True ## Footnote The employment opportunities created by the railway industry were diverse.

Question 37

What was the average number of passengers carried by the Liverpool-Manchester railway by 1831?

Answer 37

1,250 passengers per day ## Footnote The railway was successful and affordable for ordinary people.

Question 38

What type of infrastructure was necessary for the Liverpool-Manchester railway?

Answer 38

Tunnels, cuttings, embankments, and bridges ## Footnote This included three tunnels, a 20-meter deep cutting, and 63 bridges.