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David Gwyn

The Coming of the Railway: A New Global History, 1750-1850, by David Gwyn

A wide-ranging account of how innovation, economic conditions and ambition transformed early railways into a global revolution that reshaped the modern world.

Michael Mccomb

When Britain’s history is told, the railway is usually suddenly introduced in the early to mid-19th century. Yet long before this, it was quietly developing, shaping the future of transport. This early period of rail development is the subject of David Gwyn’s latest...

The Coming of the Railway – A Conversation with David Gwyn

The historian explains to Michael Mccomb how railways evolved from wooden structures into modern transport systems, altering industry, commerce and society across Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries.

David Gwyn

Welcome to Aspects of History, David. Could you provide our readers with an outline of your latest book, The Coming of the Railway: A New Global History 1750-1850? The book sets out to trace the transformation of a mechanical handling system into the main overland...

Stockton and Darlington’s Bicentenary

Though the railway had a pivotal role in the development of modern rail transport, the historian challenges persistent myths that it was the world’s first.

David Gwyn

In 2025, the Stockton and Darlington Railway celebrated its 200th anniversary. The bicentenary celebrations were promoted by a multi-disciplinary team from the local authorities, museum partners and other experts, and were a welcome reminder how this innovative system...