Full Steam Ahead

Historians Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn bring back to life the golden age of steam, exploring how Victorian railways helped to shape modern Britain.

Episode 1

Episode 1 examines how the golden age of steam changed Britain in unexpected ways, starting with domestic life. From slate roof tiles to the coal fire the railways shaped peoples homes.

Episode 2

The series’ continues in episode showing just how the Victorian railways impacted society, the stories on those who built them, the railway staff and industries across the country and at how the railway companies began to develop ways to transport people as well as goods.

Episode 3

The team look at how the railways transformed the British diet, reviving a nation that was struggling to feed itself. The mass transportation of fish, livestock and vegetables fed the nation’s cities and spawned popular new dishes.

Episode 4

The historians take a trip on the legendary Flying Scotsman as they continue their exploration of the age of steam, discovering how the railways revolutionised communication with the transportation of mail.

Episode 5

The life of the branch line before Dr Beeching’s cuts of the 1960s is examined. Peter finds out about life on the footplate, Ruth discovers the prosthetic limb workshop for GWR staff who lost a limb in accidents.

Episode 6

The team examine how a combination of increased leisure time and affordable rail travel opened up new freedoms for working-class Victorians, from trips to the seaside to fossil-hunters exploring Britain’s prehistoric past.