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The Effects of Railways
The construction and running of the
railways had far-reaching effects on the British economy, the country's
society and life in general. Some of the effects were that railways:
- were a great physical achievement
- were a result of progress in the iron industry and coal output, brought about by greater use of steam
- caused great expansion of the metal industries and increased the demand for coal
- influenced the development of most other industries
- reduced transport costs and therefore prices. They helped to increase domestic and foreign markets
- created the 'labour aristocracy' and New Model Trade Unions
- after 1843, the export of railway technology brought wealth to Britain
- helped agriculture
- equalised agricultural prices and increased markets
- led to the development of the deep-sea fishing industry. Grimsby was the greatest beneficiary.
- reduced travelling time and thus released resources
- made London become even more important
- meant capital was shifted into railway investment from other areas
- provided new forms of investment outside government securities
- were one of the first instances of large-scale separation of ownership from control in industry
- did much to break down social isolation
- allowed country children to travel to towns to school
- increased travel prospects for all
- unified the country
- were efficient, reliable and punctual
- allowed the development of large-scale industry by minimising transport problems
- encouraged the rapid growth of towns because there was easy access to food, raw materials and building materials. Many towns became railway centres.
- made national markets available to more manufacturers
- began to use steel. In 1856 Bessemer's converter reduced steel prices by 75%.
- increased the mobility of labour (and the Chartists)
- virtually destroyed canal transport, but stimulated some road building as feeders for railways
- allowed for the faster dissemination of ideas and for the growth of national newspapers
- stimulated political life
- reduced the cost of living
- marked the decline of regionalism
- allowed the growth of a 'rentier' class
- allowed a more efficient maintenance of law and order
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Last modified
19 January, 2009
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