railways

[bruno1]

how did railways get built in the 18th and 19th century?

[VHG]

The 18th century is the 1700s, and the portable steam locomotive was not invented till around 1790/1800. Before then rails had been laid at coal mines and so on, but the trains either moved by force of gravity, or were pulled by horses (or people).

These were the first railways.

But "steam" railways did not really start till the early 1800s (19th century)

But your question is a bit vague, so difficult to give an exact answer.

Do you mean how did they physically lay the track and build the bridges and tunnels?

Or do you mean how did they build and design the actual trains?

Or do you mean how did the railway companies get formed, and then got permission to actually build the line?

Or do you mean how did they choose the route and survey it?

So to give you an answer you need to define what you want to know a bit clearer, as it is a huge subject.

There is a good history of railways here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_t ransport

[emilia-faye]

Through hard work, determination and dedication of the workers!

You wouldn't get it nowadays.

[VHG]

Some of the key people invloved in the start of railways may give you the answer you are looking for:

Richard Trevithick - designed the first working steam locomotive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Trevithic k

George Stephenson - known as the "father of railways"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Stephenson

Isambard Kingdom Brunel - famous engineer, built the line from London to Bristol - the Great Western Railway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isambard_Kingdom_ Brunel

[DrFilth]

if you are near manchester

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Road_ra ilway_station_(Manchester)


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[VHG]

>Through hard work, determination and dedication of
>the workers!

I guess you may be being a bit flippant here.

While true, we should also note that without the rich businessmen putting up the money, and the engineers like Stephenson and Brunel designing the trains, and planning the route, and designing the bridges and tunnels, the working man would have had nothing to do!

[DrFilth]

VHG, they may have dug more canals


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[lexie..]

I think the men were grateful for the work, and the chance to feed their families.

[Lil O'lady]

You've all fallen for the 'do my homework' question again, haven't you?

[sddsddean]

Go to the library and get out 'The Railway Age' by Charles Hadfield...its all in there.