Train Travel

Back to the Beginning

By Stephen Thaler

As a young man I became fascinated with trains when I was given a set of Lionel Trains. The engine simulated steam and the attached coal car contained replicated heaps of coal. The additional cars in the trains set included shiny multi colored boxcars, oil cars, and several passenger cars. I thought of all the places that trains could transport me and had my first opportunity when my parents took me to Grand Central Station in New York City. Thus began my love affair with train travel.

My most recent rail experience involved a trip from London’s Euston Station to the Manchester-Piccadilly Station via BritRail. Although several companies service BritRail I was fortunate to obtain first class seating aboard a Virgin Railcar. The relaxing time spent aboard the train enabled me to view the lush English countryside. As I settled in to my comfortable window seat I was offered a menu of dinner selections and was surprised at the excellent dining experience that was included at no extra cost. Within what seemed like a very short time I arrived in Manchester.

Upon departing from the train I found myself looking around, fascinated by the station’s grand Gothic revival architecture. Over 150 years old the station, originally called London Road Station (Manchester-Piccadilly) station opened in 1842, and was and still is a primary gateway to England’s northwest. Although the station has gone thru several extensive additions and remodeling over the years, some original portions of the station’s history remain including the 1842 Railway Crest which still adorns the entrance.

Of the many sites I planned to visit in Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, my first choice was the Museum of Science and Industry. Housed in five separate antique buildings built in 1830, it was the first railway station in the world. The museum’s galleries and collections give an extensive picture of the momentous achievements that made Manchester a leader in industrial and scientific accomplishments. The museum’s galleries features six themes: Science and Technology, Industry and Innovation, Energy, People, and my personal favorite, Transport.

Exploring the museum, I discovered Manchester led the way in the development of rail and road transport. The extensive displays, complimented by written information and interactive exhibits provided a lesson in history. The collection of working steam engines is fired up daily blasting visitors with heat and noise. I marveled at the original station bell and sundial and carefully examined the first locomotive creation, named the “Rocket.” It not only carried goods, but was the first engine to carry passengers, opening a new age of steam rail transportation. The pride of the museum, however, is a replica of an 1830 locomotive called the “Planet.” Having attained a speed of 30 miles per hour, the locomotive had no brakes. The replica, however, has brakes and on weekends now transports people back and fourth to the Station building a couple of hundred yards away. Both the “Rocket” and the “Planet” were designed and built by Robert Stephenson whose company became the worlds first locomotive builder.

A whole day could have been spent exploring this world-class museum surveying the technological displays and exhibits that impacted the future of industrialization. More than century ago Manchester, a great metropolis and the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution was the world’s largest industrial city. Falling into disrepair for decades, the city has resurrected itself into the 21st century. The historic old brick and terra cotta buildings have been repaired and new modern structures have changed the skyline. On the original site of the world’s first train station, the latest technologies have given rebirth to the great city of Manchester.

For information:

BritRail offers a variety of options including FlexiPasses that allow unlimited rail travel on four non-consecutive or consecutive days. There are more than 18,000 train departures daily to 2,500 destinations covering the length and breadth of Great Britain. Passengers are given total freedom to hop off and on any train in the system using this pass. Other popular BritRail passes are designed and priced for children, adults, youths, and seniors with validity options catering to various needs from the business traveler to students on holiday. With more than two dozen train operating companies in the system, each offers its own level of services.
866-BRITRAIL
www.britrail.com
www.virgintrains.co.uk

Museum of Science and Industry (open daily 10-5)
Liverpool Road (Main entrance Lower Byrom Road, Castlefield)
Manchester, England
www.msim.org.uk

Manchester Visitor Information Centre
Town Hall Extension, Lloyd St.
Manchester, England
touristinformation@marketing-manchester.co.uk