Railways: The Making of a Nation S01E06 - A Touch of Class

Trains reflected class divisions, with separate carriages for first, second and third class passengers. Yet, seen at the time, they were also bringing people physically closer together.

In the early 1800s Britain was clearly divided between upper, middle and working classes. On the railways they shared the same stations and arrived at the destination at the same time. The trains gradually acted as a great catalyst, mixing the country up as people travelled to regions and places for the first time.

Locations, accents, cultures and fashions were all new. The nation's relationship with royalty also changed. Queen Victoria was now able to venture far and wide across her kingdom and visit more of her subjects. Over time Brits developed a stronger sense of shared identity and culture.