Question

What was the impact of Railway system in England?​

Answer 1

Answer:

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:

1. were a great physical achievement
2. were a result of progress in the iron industry and coal output, brought about by greater use of steam
3. caused great expansion of the metal industries and increased the demand for coal
4. influenced the development of most other industries
5. reduced transport costs and therefore prices. They helped to increase domestic and foreign markets
6. created the 'labour aristocracy' and New Model Trade Unions
7. after 1843, the export of railway technology brought wealth to Britain
8. helped agriculture
9. equalised agricultural prices and increased markets
10. led to the development of the deep-sea fishing industry. Grimsby was the greatest beneficiary.
11. reduced travelling time and thus released resources
12. made London become even more important
13. meant capital was shifted into railway investment from other areas
14. provided new forms of investment outside government securities
15. were one of the first instances of large-scale separation of ownership from control in industry
16. did much to break down social isolation
17. allowed country children to travel to towns to school
18. increased travel prospects for all
19. unified the country
20. were efficient, reliable and punctual
21. allowed the development of large-scale industry by minimising transport problems
22. encouraged the rapid growth of towns because there was easy access to food, raw materials and building materials. Many towns became railway centres.
23. made national markets available to more manufacturers
24. began to use steel. In 1856 Bessemer's converter reduced steel prices by 75%.
25. increased the mobility of labour (and the Chartists)
26. virtually destroyed canal transport, but stimulated some road building as feeders for railways
27. allowed for the faster dissemination of ideas and for the growth of national newspapers
28. stimulated political life
29. reduced the cost of living
30. marked the decline of regionalism
31. allowed the growth of a 'rentier' class
32. allowed a more efficient maintenance of law and order

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