The First Trains
Dan Snow's History Hit
History Hit
4.7 • 12.9K Ratings
🗓️ 28 September 2025
⏱️ 40 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello, |
| 0:00.5 | folks, Dan Snow here. |
| 0:01.6 | I am throwing a party to celebrate 10 years of Dan Snow's history hit. |
| 0:06.1 | I'd love for you to be there. |
| 0:07.5 | Join me for a very special live recording of the podcast in London, |
| 0:10.4 | in England on the 12th of September to celebrate the 10 years. |
| 0:14.1 | You can find out more about it and get tickets with the link in the show notes. |
| 0:17.6 | Look forward to seeing you there. |
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| 1:31.5 | Thank you. Visit service now.com slash UK slash AI for people. On the 27th of September 1825, a bizarre, a brilliant contraption, billowing steam and smoke |
| 1:40.9 | travelled down a track from the collieries near Sheldon, County Durham in the north of England, |
| 1:46.9 | through Darlington to the port of Stockton-on-Tees. There was such a buzz about it, such excitement that |
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