Join host Shaimond on It Started Somewhere as we explore the history and evolution of trains. Discover how they evolved from horse-drawn carts to modern high-speed marvels, igniting progress and unifying nations. This episode delves into early wagonways, the advent of steam power by pioneers like Richard Trevithick and George Stephenson, the emergence of diesel and electric trains, and the game-changing introduction of high-speed rail. Learn how trains have shaped industries, cultures, and our world, symbolizing innovation and efficient connectivity from ancient times to the present day.

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Welcome back to What Started Somewhere, a podcast where we discover

the history behind the familiar.

I'm your host, Shaimond, And today, we're diving into a

story that's all about movement.

Literally.

It's a tale of innovation, industry, and how a simple idea changed the

way we connect with the world.

That's right.

Today we're talking about trains.

Now trains might seem like just another mode of transportation today, but

their history is anything but ordinary.

From humble beginnings as horse drawn carts to the sleek, high speed marvels

of modern engineering, trains have been at the heart of human progress.

So buckle up, or maybe I should say, all aboard.

Because this is gonna be one heck of a ride.

Let's start at the very beginning.

Long before steam engines or bullet trains.

when people were still figuring out how to move heavy loads efficiently,

the earliest ancestors of trains were something called wagonways.

Picture this, wooden rails laid down to guide cars pulled

by horses or even humans.

These tracks reduced friction and made it easier to transport

goods like coal or stone.

The first known wagonways date back as far as 2200 BCE in Babylon.

But it wasn't until medieval Europe that they started taking shape

in a way we'd recognize today.

By the 1500s in Germany and England, wooden rails became more

common for mining operations.

and then came a game changer, iron rails.

These stronger materials allowed for heavier loads and set the

stage for what was to come.

Fast forward to the late 18th century, the industrial revolution was in full swing

and inventors were tinkering with ways to harness steam power for transportation.

Enter Richard Trevithick, a British mining engineer who built the first full

scale working steam locomotive in 1804.

His invention ran on iron rails and wells and could haul loads

that no horse could imagine.

But Trevor Thicke's locomotive was just the beginning.

In 1825, another British engineer named George Stephenson, made

history with his locomotive.

Locomotion number one.

It ran on the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England, the world's

first public railway, and could carry passengers as well as freight.

Stevenson didn't stop there.

He later designed the rocket, becoming a symbol of steam powered success.

Imagine this.

Before trains, traveling long distances took weeks or even months

by horse drawn carriage or boat.

With steam locomotives, those same journeys could be completed in days.

It was revolutionary, not just for travel, but for trade and industry too.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, America was catching train fever too.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was chartered in 1827 as the first

commercial railway in North America.

By 1830, regular passenger service had begun with a locomotive charmingly

named the Best Friend of Charleston.

But perhaps the most iconic moment in American railroad history came

in 1869 with the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Picture this.

Two railroads, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific, meeting

at Promontory Summit in Utah.

A ceremonial golden spike was driven into the tracks to mark the occasion.

Suddenly, coast to coast travel was possible.

Cutting what once took months to just days.

This wasn't just about convenience, it was about connection.

Railroads helped unify a sprawling nation, making it easier to move

people, goods, and ideas from one end of the country to the other.

By the early 20th century, steam locomotives had reached their peak.

But technology never stands still for long.

In 1913, Sweden introduced diesel powered locomotives, followed by their

debut in the United States in 1939.

Diesel engines were more efficient and required less maintenance than

their steam powered predecessors.

Around the same time, electric trains started making waves too.

Especially in urban areas where rapid transit systems like subways

were becoming essential for moving large numbers of people quickly.

Cities like New York and London built extensive underground

networks powered by electricity.

These innovations marked a turning point for railroads worldwide.

Steam engines began to fade into history as diesel and

electric locomotives took over.

Now let's talk speed.

because if there's one thing modern trains are known for, it's how fast they can go.

In 1964, Japan introduced the world to its first high speed train.

The Shinkansen or as most people know it, the bullet train.

This sleek marvel could reach speeds of up to 130 miles per hour when it debuted

and has only gotten faster since then.

Today's bullet trains can hit speeds of over 300 miles per hour.

They become symbols of innovation and efficiency, not just in

Japan, but around the world.

High speed rails have transformed travel once again by making it possible

to cover vast distances quickly without relying on airplanes or cars.

So where do trains stand today?

Well, they're still an essential part of our lives.

Though their role has evolved over time, freight trains are crucial for moving

goods across continents efficiently.

Urban transit systems like subways and trams keep our cities running smoothly.

And high speed rail continues to push boundaries with projects like China's

Maglev trains that use magnetic levitation for near frictionless travel.

Trains have also become greener over time.

Modern locomotives are designed to be more fuel efficient and

environmentally friendly than ever before.

All right, let's take a step back for a moment.

Why do trains matter so much?

Sure, they're practical.

They move people and goods quickly and efficiently.

But they're also symbolic.

Trains represent progress.

They remind us of what's possible when we dream big and work

together to solve problems.

They've connected us.

Not just physically, but culturally too.

By making it easier to share ideas and experiences across distances.

And let's not forget their role in shaping history.

From fueling industrial revolutions to uniting nations through infrastructure

projects like transcontinental railroads.

So there you have it, the incredible journey of trains from ancient

wagonways to modern bullet trains.

It's amazing to think how far we've come and how much further we might

go as technology continues to evolve.

Next time you hear the familiar whistle or feel the rumble of a train passing by,

take a moment to appreciate its story.

A story that started somewhere, long ago, but continues to shape our world today.

Thanks for tuning in to It Started Somewhere.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it

with your fellow history buffs.

Until next time, I'm Shaimond reminding you that every great

journey starts with a single step.

Or maybe a single track.

I'll catch you on the next episode.