How The Steam Train Changed The World | Full Steam Ahead | Absolute History

The introduction of steam railways in the early 19th century changed Britain in a way no one could have predicted. This episode explores how they created a domestic revolution, changing the way we lived, from the houses we lived in to the food we ate.

In the middle of winter, the team arrive in Snowdonia to find out how millions of tons of slate were moved down the mountain. This is the slate that covers roofs in every corner of the country, and all of it was moved by rail.

[ThePwaro]

I'm german, living in France. I can watch docu's in 3 languages. But the french and german ones just aren't like what the Brits have to offer. Lots of knowledge yet hugely entertaining. Awesome presenters and teams with superb chemistry wherever I look. Thanks folks this is pure gold.

[pharmabot]

Ruth, Peter and Alex are the best team ever! such nice chemistry between them!

[damonheikkinen]

Ruth, Peter, Tom, and Alex spend a full calendar year living as a steam locomotive?

[sapphirecat]

I adore their enthusiasm, especially Ruth's, but it is so weird not to see the team in period clothing!

[HATECELL]

The team behind this is doing such a great job. I think they also did Edwardian Farm, which I can highly recommend. Both shows are doing a great job at showing life during those times from a variety of angles. I especially love Ruth's parts in how the simple day to day life like cooking and laundry have changed. It's something that other shows often overlook

[globetrotter]

I'm loving this. As an engineering student who was obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine as a child and who still has a fascination for trains of all shapes and sizes, this actually brought me to tears. I love the fact that they don't just talk about the mechanical aspect of trains but rather talk about their profound societal, cultural and historical impacts. This considerably broadens the audience. You've also got to love that the narrators got their hands dirty during the filming of this documentary.

[MOV]

Only the British can make these types of documentaries. Informative and at the same time entertaining. And the characters on the show are superb. Thank you, folks.

[Eralen]

Those slate roofs look absolutely beautiful. There's just something so special about natural materials

[ShannaCarlson]

As a railroad engineer myself, this is quite fascinating. I'm so used to diesel-electric powerhouses at 4400 horsepower each that it's easy to forget the origins.

[kensiess]

I just love the show. The cast really works very well together. They always seem to find new and very interesting things.

[lknanml]

Such a good group of historians. Truly watching them all together. 10 different shows I think. Still not enough. Need more of them.

[mchristian]

Damn Ruth was stamping out that fire and had her lightly gloved hand on the barbed wire at the same time. 😂 She truly isn't afraid of anything lmaooo

[billmiller]

Ab-so-lu-te-ly awe-some!
When I was a small boy Germany phase out the last steam trains but I still remember walking over a railway bridge with my mother when a steam train came and all of a sudden we were surrounded by the steam of a steam train. I loved it.

[geraldmiller]

In 1976. I traveled with fellow students for three months all over eastern Europe by mostly steam engines. It left a gritty substance on your skin and clothing. East Germany, through Checkpoint Charlie from east to west, Poland, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Czech. Romania, USSR, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. A great adventure!

[HappyfoxBiz]

Ruth's like "oh, a fire, it's a bit of a bother eh?" I don't know, she acts like she's been through the war and everything else won't phase her

[Nick-nkmf]

Wonderful! Love Ruth, Peter, Tom, Alex!! They're all great. This is the only series of theirs I haven't seen yet. So excited

[shadodragonette]

I am excited to see a new series (to me, at least)! My friends think I am weird for loving so many British shows (I am American), but I have loved British books and TV shows and movies from when I was in grade school. I am a patriotic American, but I can't imagine life without British shows, books, and humor.

[cuddlybearred]

I was just thinking about these 3 yesterday and thinking of bingeing all their farms series AGAIN. Now I have this!!!! 😃

[Atomy]

You need to make a Ruth, Peter, Tom, Alex playlist, and a everything else playlist. I'm only interested in the first of the couple :D

[ph]

"Meat and a two veg dinner" . That's a proper railway dinner.

That explains a great deal of my grandmother's cooking and recepies; her parents were imigrants to the US. And they brought their cook book with them, which she tried to teach to all three of her son's, as well as as many of us grand kids as she demeed capable.

So now I know why I love roast beef and potatoes and carrots....