The First Trains

On 27 September 1825, a steam-powered marvel known as Locomotion No.1 made history, pulling passengers and coal from Shildon to Stockton-on-Tees in the North of England. This 25 mile journey, changed the world forever. Dan is joined by historian Steven Brindle as they mark the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger steam train journey—a moment that astonished crowds and launched a transport and industrial revolution. From George Stephenson’s pioneering design to the railway’s role in Britain’s industrial rise, this episode explores how trains reshaped the nation and the world. Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Tim Arstall. You can sign up to watch Dan's documentary 'Steam' here: https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. We'd love to hear your feedback - you can take part in our podcast survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected].

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 28, 2025

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

The First Trains

0:00 37:53

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

Catastrophe Chronicles catastrophechroniclespod Welcome to Catastrophe Chronicles, where Kathryn and Arin Babbick unravel the gripping—and often devastating—world of natural and man-made disasters. If you love the twists and turns of true crime, with a dash of whodunit intrigue, this podcast is for you. Each episode, Kathryn spins a dramatic tale of calamity, from hurricanes and earthquakes to industrial accidents and beyond, while Arin, a Navy veteran with a sharp sense of humor, offers his insights and candid commentary.Together, they blend serious reflection with lighthearted discussion, bringing you a fresh perspective on history’s most chaotic moments. It’s a perfect mix of historical mystery, dark drama, and the resilience of the human spirit—designed to captivate true crime fans and history buffs alike.Subscribe now and join the journey as we uncover the stories behind the chaos and dive deep into the dramatic side of our world. Explicit Know et al. Rileigh Sue Do you have an unending need to know just a little bit about everything? Maybe you're working on becoming your local brewery's trivia champion, or maybe you just have a never-ending thirst for information about the world around you. Know et al. is a weekly podcast where no topic is off the table, from the origin of the word "tampon", to the science of bog bodies and the history of chlorine. I hope to help humans become more excited about their world through knowledge and information, realizing that there is one thing that makes us all the same, curiosity. Listen weekly! Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/knowetal/support Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Dan Snow's History Hit?

This episode is 37 minutes long.

When was this Dan Snow's History Hit episode published?

This episode was published on September 28, 2025.

Can I download this Dan Snow's History Hit episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!