The Rise of Railways: Post-1820 Development
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Explain why railways developed after 1820.
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Railways developed after 1820 due to a combination of economic need, technological development, steam engine improvements, the end of slavery, and the availability of necessary skills. These factors played a crucial role in the growth and expansion of the railway industry in Britain during this period.
One of the main reasons for the development of railways was the economic need for efficient transportation of goods. The mass production of goods and the increasing need for raw materials required a quick and cost-effective means of transportation to different areas of the country and to ports for export. Railways offered a significant advantage over canals, as they could transport freight at a 30% lower cost. This allowed for reduced costs and maximized profits for businesses involved in the production and trade of goods.
Technological development also played a crucial role in the development of railways. Neilson's hot-blast process, introduced in 1828, revolutionized the production of iron rails. This process reduced the amount of coal required to smelt iron, making it possible to produce high-quality wrought iron rails in large quantities and at a lower cost. This technological advancement made the construction of railways a viable proposition, as the necessary materials were now readily available.
Furthermore, steam engine improvements further fueled the development of railways. In the late 1820s, improved models of steam engines emerged, as demonstrated in the Rainhill Trials on the Liverpool-Manchester Railway in 1829. Stephenson's 'Rocket' emerged as the winner of the competition, showcasing its top speed of 27 mph and its reliability compared to other locomotives. These advancements in steam engine technology made railways a more efficient and reliable mode of transportation, further driving their development.
The end of slavery in 1833 also played a significant role in the development of railways. Slave owners received substantial compensation, amounting to £16 billion in today's money, with a significant portion remaining in Britain. This influx of money provided the necessary capital to invest in railway development. For example, the family of William Gladstone, a future Prime Minister, received £80 million and invested £26 million in the Grand Junction Railway, which connected the industrial heartlands of Lancashire and the Midlands. The availability of funds from the end of slavery facilitated the expansion of the railway industry.
Lastly, the availability of necessary skills from the British civil engineering industry contributed to the development of railways. The experience gained from the canal building program provided the skills and expertise needed for railway construction. This existing knowledge and expertise
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Explain why railways developed after 1820. Indicative content • Economic need – The mass production of goods, and the increasing need for raw materials to produce them, meant that transportation to different areas of the country and to ports for export needed to be done quickly and in quantities so that costs were limited, and profits maximised. Railways could undercut canals by 30% on the cost of moving freight. • Technological development – Neilson’s hot-blast process (1828) reduced the amount of coal used to smelt iron. This led to the production of the necessary quantities of high-quality low cost wrought iron rails. Thus, the construction of railways was a viable proposition. • Steam engine improvements – In the late 1820s improved models emerged as seen at the Rainhill Trials on the Liverpool-Manchester Railway in 1829. Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’ won the competition to decide which locomotive would work the new railway, achieving a top speed of 27 mph and proving more reliable than its rivals. • The end of slavery in 1833 – slave owners received some £16 billion, in today’s money, in compensation and about £8 billion remained in Britain. Thus, there was the money available to invest in railway development – on average it cost £40 000 per mile. The family of William Gladstone, a future Prime Minister, received £80 million and invested £26 million in the Grand Junction Railway (it linked the industrial heartlands of Lancashire and the Midlands). • Necessary skills – the British civil engineering industry had developed the skills needed for railway construction from the experience gained in the canal building program. Accept any other valid responses.