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How Railways Transformed the World

Climb aboard for a thrilling ride through the amazing world of railways in this thoroughly delightful course. Learn how this one invention profoundly changed human life and reveal the great railway journeys that await you around the world.
 
 
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Gradually working my way through it and it’s very good so far, the often mentioned Settle & Carlisle line is about one mile from my house so added local interest.
Date published: 2025-11-23
Rated 3 out of 5 by from An album rather than analysis. There are are two ' cartoons' which haunt me. One implicates Railways directly, the other is a ironic comment on the moral inability to cope with mutability , They are congruent as ironic comments on a society to understand its latent fragility in a surge of Moral outrage at the consequences of their ow insouciance. One depicts a cross with the crucified Christ but the cross above the cross bar is a funnel, and out of the funnel there is smoke. The point being that the Holocaust was as comprehensive and destructive because enabled by the logistics of the railway train put to barbaric purposes. The other cartoon is less obvious the full Islamic dress. The two girls look at one another and one says Disgusting Civilisation is Providence and Contingency, and contingency is arbitrated by responses to technology, and we have reached the point where our technology is changing our situation in three respects. . The English Language has been Ethically and morally compromised The other changes are Technology and Logistics,, Contingency means that as a result of the former factors the contingent land mass of Afro-Eurasia will regroup, the old silk road will be a net work of Railways with two way traffic. And Western Civilisation be predicated on Ethics and Aesthetics and so will morph into global. The student of any dispensation of providence knows of the vicissitudes of imminence and immanence as the past and present and future appear for a while to be contemporaries in a deceptive concord . The auguries of the pelagic epoch of Western Civilisation were the Vikings and the augury of the new continental phase coexisted with its demise, but in any dispensation there is a culture which seem to integrate what is inimical by contingency and potential. The Renaissance began as a revival but culminated in a demise . At the very moment when all seemed to consolidate the Pelage age in Imperialism and Slavery there occurred the Steam Engine and the Railway. Students of the Pelagic age might care to recall and realise that the ultimate of the Pelagic age, its ultimate aesthetic was the great age of sail, and there could be seen in the great seaports of modernity both the clippers and the steam ships. Students of the Great Course are made aware in the plethora of courses how oddly congruent these iconic collages of past present and future and subjunctive are, I see studying the reviews that I seem doomed to be in a minority, for I found this course to be disappointing, by way of being a cliché, a nostalgic resume of the edifices even as it is hinted that the Railway might just be likely to enjoy recrudescence of future prospects. How a technology that measured transformation and the apogee of One age might be its A condition for salvation and there is an irony that the nation and the language that seems to be a triumph could well experience the recrudescence as curse rather than a prospect of the new i Nostalgia is not history, it is an artefact of Impressions, a medley of coexistences. Real History is a narrative of change, Geography is the spatial distribution of providences and it takes some imagination and some insight to perceive the implications. This course advertises prescience but fails to deliver it, and it becomes a collage, recollection anectdote and memoir a chronicle of Steam a photographic album which in being a visual recital misses the point of its own title. It fails for me because it is short On analysis, short on Geography and short on implication and contingency. What is happening and what are the symptoms. What is happening I suggest is that the Pelagic Epoch of human civilisation is nearing it demise as the result of the apostasy of the Anglosphere from the Future, this is the consequence of a technology so advanced that it has two effects. One it is the culmination of the religious systems that have been constructed on Patriarchy, because the almost glacial emancipation of women has been exponential in its last Phase since the First World War. But this emancipation and the reason for it are the obsolescence of The Common Man and his woefully inadequate idea of 'Common Sense' with the result there has been a recrudescence of Fascism, Male chauvinism, Misogyny and obscurantism assuming the form of Fascism and I suggest that Fascism is not an Ideology but a pathology of change being misconceived as decline or Termination of culture. I offer in contrast to this exogenous pessimism of a class that all the evidence is the Western Civilisation has morphed into a Global civilisation as a result of Communist China's emergence as a custodian not only of its own culture but its contribution to Western Civilisation in Science, Technology and Culture to render the Former Western Civilisation as it a world civilisation premised on and predicated on Ethics and Science that has essentially destroyed the religions that have been predicated on the assumption of the primacy of man and his superiority to women. That is no longer tenable . Together with the development of Technology and Science there is the apostasy of the Anglosphere The three consequences of this technology. The retreat of the Anglosphere from the Future, the end of the pelagic age, and the mergence of women mean that the old world of the land Mass of Afro-Eurasia will usher in a new continental phase of world society in which railways will be the principal logistic means of transporting people and freight to ameliorate and check the consequence of global climate change. The apostasy of the Anglosphere from this agenda mean that this solution will continue apace and that the English language will suffer a decline in direct proportion to its apostasy. Had this course been three times as long the contents of the course could have been either a culmination or the beginnings of a longer more analytical course that addresses Railways not in term of steam but in terms of its Physical attributes as the most superior to any system of transport yet devised and applied. That Railways required more sophisticated methods of Industrial and Financial organisation is patent but its significance has been rather lost in this course which does not for very far in vindicating the claim of its title.
Date published: 2025-07-17
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Fantastic production. This i sone of the best Greatcourses I hace seen, and I have seen a lot.
Date published: 2025-05-04
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Richly Satisfying Dr. Patrick N. Allitt’s presentation of “How Railways Transformed the World” is one of the best of the over-150 Great Courses that my wife and I have enjoyed. In these lectures, it is obvious that the professor is sharing a true labour of love as a life-long fan of trains and their history. He comes across as a thorough researcher, and even excels as a “tour guide” during the several lectures in which we see him enjoying scenic rail travels and visits to railroad museums in multiple countries. His manner of speech is engaging and informative throughout. When dark and disturbing matters are being discussed, such as tragic railroad accidents or the grim utilization of trains during wars, Dr. Allitt displays a dignified, matter-of-fact solemnity. When he is describing the artistry of beautiful locomotive paint jobs, train station architecture, and fondly preserved railroad memorabilia, he is upbeat and breezy. Particularly special aspects of this course are: 1) Each of the 24 lectures has a distinctive, “stand-alone” character (What a varied set of sub-topics!); and 2) The accompanying visuals are superb. Don’t miss this exceptional lecture series!
Date published: 2025-04-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Great fun This is a delightful course. The instructor, besides being learned, is a huge train buff. The course covers the history of trains throughout the world, current train tourism, with the presenter having a wonderful time going up and down mountains, and great train museums in Europe and the US.
Date published: 2025-04-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from This is a superb course. Weaves its way through the history of Railways. Highly entertaining and informative. The Professor's passion and enthusiasm for the railways developed from a young age shines through. Given how much I enjoyed the course I have no option but to give it top marks
Date published: 2025-03-26
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Fun review of history, business, politics, and art This is a delightful way to review American and European history, economics, politics, photography, art and travel. The teacher is passionate about his subject and shares many personal experiences. The production values are amazing and include many contemporary videos as well as historic photos and even some silent movie clips. This course was informative and a delight to watch from beginning to end.
Date published: 2025-03-09
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Excellent but mis-labelled This was a thoroughly fun course. But as with other courses, the title was somewhat misleading. It would have been more accurately titled, "The History of Railroads and their Current Fans." I have only one substantive criticism: in the lecture on the impact of railroads on literature, I'd wished the professor had brought it forward to the 20th Century, wherein such great books as Paul Theroux's The Great Railway Bazaar and other, would have warranted mention
Date published: 2025-02-09
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How Railways Transformed the World

Trailer

The Idea of Railways

01: The Idea of Railways

Begin with an overview of the history and impact of railways, as a revolutionary technology that produced a superbly efficient means of transport. Grasp how railroads have been central to industrial societies, and have influenced politics, urbanization, social life, modern business, and more. Note the decline of trains in the later 20th century, followed by their astonishing comeback.

29 min
Britain’s Railway Pioneers

02: Britain’s Railway Pioneers

Learn about early steam technology, and the mounting of steam engines on vehicles, producing the first locomotives. Follow the rise of the first railways in Britain in the 1820s, and the brilliant engineers behind them. See how the proliferation of railways altered the landscape of Britain, accelerating urbanization, and observe the many ways that railways changed British life in the 19th century.

31 min
The First American Railroads

03: The First American Railroads

Following the British model, railroads quickly took root in America. Chart the groundbreaking lines, such as the Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania, and the challenges they faced in the great distances and rugged landscapes of the United States. Witness the developing railway technology in the United States, and the dangers and high accident rates in the 19th century owing to subpar equipment and standards.

29 min
Early European Ventures

04: Early European Ventures

Trace the rapid spread of railroads in Europe from the 1830s, amid a politically volatile landscape. See how British engineers jump-started railways throughout Europe, starting with Belgium and Germany. Follow the creation of nationalized rail systems by Germany and France. Also take account of 19th-century engineering marvels on railways, such as extraordinary viaducts, bridges, and tunnels.

28 min
Railways Go to War

05: Railways Go to War

Grasp the core roles of railways in military conflicts in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Observe how the building of a railway transformed the British campaign in the Crimean War, and how cooperation between railroads and Union forces in the US Civil War was a major force in the Union war effort. Note the critical influence of railways in the Franco-Prussian, Boer, and Russo-Japanese wars.

30 min
America’s Transcontinental Railroads

06: America’s Transcontinental Railroads

Visualize the vast engineering project that linked the two coasts of the United States by rail, and the motives behind it. Learn how two companies built the first completed line, followed by other transcontinental routes, driving settlement and agricultural output across the United States. Assess the financial realities and abuses of these railroads, and the serious economic and ecological problems they provoked.

30 min
Railways and Colonialism

07: Railways and Colonialism

Observe how the building of railroads in India, by the British, strengthened British rule and commerce, yet also contributed to Indian nationalism and the movement for independence. Explore British, German, and French colonial railways within Africa and Vietnam, as they served the economic ends of empire. In Canada and Australia, see how railroad-building and nation-building were closely linked.

29 min
Mountain Railways

08: Mountain Railways

Here, investigate the fascinating approaches railway engineers have taken to the problems of steep gradients and mountainous terrain, creating some of the most amazing and enjoyable railroads in the world. Delve into examples of circuitous lines, spirals, zigzags, and rack and pinion railways, and travel with Professor Allitt on a few of the breathtaking mountain railroads of Switzerland.

28 min
The Invention of Tourism

09: The Invention of Tourism

Discover that the global tourism industry was largely an invention of railways. Encounter tourism pioneers Thomas Cook, Fred Harvey, and others who forged modern leisure travel principally using railroads. Witness the advent of US tourism, and the development of Florida, via railways. Then glimpse delightful and relaxing railway excursions in Switzerland, Norway, Spain, and Canada.

30 min
Railway Workers and Unions

10: Railway Workers and Unions

Railways were integrally involved in the rise of labor unions. Gauge the many dangers early railroad workers faced, and the oppressive working conditions that led them to organize in Britain and the United States. Take stock of the intense labor disputes with employers, the many strikes and violent confrontations, and the process by which workers ultimately gained recognition and better working conditions.

28 min
Urban Railways above and below Ground

11: Urban Railways above and below Ground

Look into the ways in which railway technology has been used within cities, to provide mass transit in urban areas. Witness the rise of streetcars, first horse-drawn and later electrified; cable cars; and the advent of under/overground railways in London, New York, and other cities. Take account of subways which were designed to be elegant and beautiful, such as in Moscow, Paris, and Stockholm.

29 min
Great Railway Stations of the World

12: Great Railway Stations of the World

Enjoy the remarkable tradition that produced railway stations as majestic and glorious architecture, reflecting their cultural centrality and rivalling the grandeur of other great urban buildings. Tour stations both large and small from the golden era of station design, roughly 1840 to 1930, with visits to terminals ranging from London, New York, and Paris to Milan, Helsinki, Mumbai, and beyond.

30 min
The Challenge of Cars, Trucks, and Planes

13: The Challenge of Cars, Trucks, and Planes

In the early 20th century, railroad policies drew fire from the public and legislators. Trace the effects of government regulation and antitrust legislation aimed at curtailing unfair practices by railroad companies. As of the 1920s, chart the competition posed by motor vehicles and aircraft, and how railroads responded with improved speeds, service, and technology, from streamlining to diesel power.

30 min
Railways in the Two World Wars

14: Railways in the Two World Wars

Take note of the centrality of railroads in World War I, in German military strategy and French defense, and their roles in the British campaign against the Ottomans and the Russian Revolution. In World War II, witness how Hitler’s misconception of railway logistics compromised the Nazi war effort, and observe how railways were used by the Soviets, during the Holocaust, and in the D-day invasion.

28 min
Railways in Literature

15: Railways in Literature

From the early years of railroads, novelists saw dramatic possibilities in rail travel. Discover how fiction writers used trains and train travel in their writings, highlighting novels by Dickens, Eliot, Tolstoy, Lewis, and many others. See how writers assessed the societal impact of railroads and used them to develop themes of time; social class; displacement; and a changing, industrial world.

27 min
Railways in Art and Photography

16: Railways in Art and Photography

Many artists responded to the cultural presence of railways. View the railway paintings of Turner, Monet, and others, as they explored the visual and human impact of trains and stations. Explore railway art that focused on the passengers and the social reality of train travel. Consider the challenges of photographing trains, and the masterful and evocative images of railroad photographers.

26 min
Railways in Cinema

17: Railways in Cinema

Since the beginnings of cinema, railroads have been a memorable and constant backdrop for films. In the silent era, trace the brilliant use of railroad settings in films by Buster Keaton, John Ford, and others. Note the inherent drama of train journeys in sound railway films, from La Bête Humaine and Hitchcock’s train films to the railway films of High Noon; Brief Encounter; and Runaway Train.

26 min
Nationalization and Decline in Britain

18: Nationalization and Decline in Britain

Track the fortunes of British railways from the 1940s to the present. Following their major role in World War II, learn about the postwar nationalization of railways and their later re-privatization, the end of the steam era and change to diesel and electric power, the reorganization of rail services for greater economy and efficiency in the 1960s, and enjoy some of the great railway routes of Britain.

29 min
Railroads in Postwar America

19: Railroads in Postwar America

In the postwar United States, take a look into at the severe decline of passenger rail traffic; the new focus on freight service; and the remaking of the railway industry through mergers, deregulation, and skillful management. See how government intervened, creating Amtrak and Conrail as viable passenger services, and learn about the operations of freight trains today, as the planet's “greenest” bulk transport.

29 min
High-Speed Trains in Europe and Asia

20: High-Speed Trains in Europe and Asia

High-speed offers yet another possibility for rail travel. Chart the development of the first “bullet” trains in Japan, reaching speeds of 200 mph, followed by similar vehicles in France, Spain, and the extensive network in China. Take note of the Eurostar trains which cross under the English Channel, and futuristic plans for train travel, such as “magnetic levitation” and “hyperloop” railways.

29 min
Nostalgia and Railway Preservation in Britain

21: Nostalgia and Railway Preservation in Britain

Within a remarkable tradition of railway heritage, enjoy a spectrum of Britain’s historic rail lines and trains. Among 150 preservation societies and museums, visit operating heritage railways in Wales and England, preservation workshops, and great railway museums at Didcot, York, and Swindon. Take the measure of the public’s love and veneration for British railway history.

29 min
Railroad Nostalgia in America

22: Railroad Nostalgia in America

Among a rich range of preserved historic railroads in the United States, stop at Steamtown in Scranton, Pennsylvania, home to stunning historic trains, including the largest steam locomotive ever built, and the equally impressive Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. In Colorado, take in the sights of the Georgetown Loop Railroad, the Royal Gorge Railway, and the extraordinary Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

28 min
Enjoying Europe’s Railway Heritage

23: Enjoying Europe’s Railway Heritage

Join Professor Allitt for a trip across Western Europe, stopping first at some of the best new railway stations. View the luminous spaces of the Hauptbahnhof (Berlin), Frankfurt, and Liège stations. Then, take in the phenomenal Cité du Train museum in Alsace, and great railway museums in Belgium, Germany, and Austria. Consider the remarkable convenience and pleasures of the continent’s railway system.

28 min
Repurposed Railways

24: Repurposed Railways

Finish with a look at creative uses of disused railways. Learn about the repurposing of old rail lines as walking and cycling trails across the United States and Europe, enriching rural and urban communities. Observe the conversion of unused stations into public venues, from art museums to conference centers, hotels, and more. Conclude with reflections on the remarkable staying power of railways.

33 min

Overview Course No. 30540

Railways are one of the most important inventions in modern history. From the 1825 opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England, trains revolutionized both travel and trade and radically changed the way we experience the world.

In the 24 richly illustrated lectures of How Railways Transformed the World, you’ll experience the amazing world and impact of railways, from the early 19th century to today’s futuristic trains, including extensive material on the pleasure and appeal of rail travel today. Professor Patrick N. Allitt of Emory University takes you through key developments of railways, such as:

  • The Beginnings: Steam and Iron. Encounter the inventers who first mounted steam engines on wheels; track evolving rail technology and the engineering marvels that drove the railway revolution.
  • A Radically Changing World. Observe how railways galvanized the Industrial Revolution, hugely increased mobility, made nationwide commerce possible, sparked organized labor, and pioneered tourism.
  • Railways in Politics, Empire, and War. Note 19th-century politicians’ strategic promotion of railways; the use of railroads in European colonial empires; and delve into the integral wartime use of railways.
  • Great Train Journeys of the World. Learn where you can enjoy the best of rail travel today: Visualize the dramatic terrain on South Africa’s Rovos Rail; glimpse superlative trains and scenery on Switzerland’s Jungfrau and Bernina railways, India’s Darjeeling railway, Colorado’s Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway, and many others.
  • Rail Travel in Culture and Art. Examine the use of railway settings in great novels; in art; in great films; and explore some of the most magnificent architecture of the modern world: great train stations.
  • Railways and the Future. Learn about advancing rail technology, today’s high-speed trains, and cutting-edge rail systems which envision trains traveling at up to 700 mph.

In How Railways Transformed the World, you’ll enjoy the fascinating history and lore of an invention that forever changed human life.

About

Patrick N. Allitt
Patrick N. Allitt

We live in a world that has created many new incentives for us to become lifelong learners. Luckily, lifelong learning is a pleasure.

INSTITUTION

Emory University

Patrick N. Allitt is Cahoon Family Professor of American History at Emory University, where he has taught since 1988. He received his PhD in American History from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard Divinity School and Princeton University. He is a widely published author whose books include A Climate of Crisis: America in the Age of Environmentalism; The Conservatives: Ideas and Personalities throughout American History; and Religion in America since 1945: A History.

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