Railway

Since the 19th century the railway has been a widely acknowledged symbol of progress and confidence in technological modernity. In the 21st century the looming prospect of traffic gridlock and human-induced climate change has once again transformed the railway into a emblem of hope that provides the possibility of an environmentally sustainable future. Ambitious cities invest in rail transit, while consumer groups chart every failing in public transport as a marker of government incompetence. The railway even informs our everyday language: we 'fast-track,' 'side-track' and 'go off the rails.' The cultural meanings of the railway continue to play a role in how people organize and respond to modern environments, social problems and technologies. This book charts some of the defining contours of this terrain and shows us why we have an ongoing fascination for the railway.

This book traces the relationships between technology and nation building in railway history, as well as themes such as mobility and identity, design and marketing, and ecology, heritage and sustainability. Examples from art, literature, music and film show how the railway is embedded in a range of cultural forms. From the routine journeys of the commuter to the fascinations of the enthusiast, the railway is central to our understanding of modern everyday life.

A wide-ranging and well-illustrated account of railway systems around the world and their meanings for all of us, Railway will inform and delight historians as well as trainspotters everywhere.