The Coming of the Railway

Name: The Coming of the Railway
Brand: Yale University Press
Price: 23.75 AUD
Availability: PreOrder

A New Global History, 1750 - 1850

By: David Gwyn

Write A Review

Paperback | 12 December 2025 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
432 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
19.68 x 12.7

Paperback

RRP $24.95

$23.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $5.94 with

Available: 12th December 2025

Preorder. Will ship when available.

The first global history of the epic early days of the iron railway

Railways, in simple wooden or stone form, have existed since prehistory. But from the 1750s onward the introduction of iron rails led to a dramatic technological evolution—one that would truly change the world.

In this rich new history, David Gwyn tells the neglected story of the early iron railway from a global perspective. Driven by a combination of ruthless enterprise, brilliant experimenters, and international cooperation, railway construction began to expand across the world with astonishing rapidity. From Britain to Australia, Russia to America, railways would bind together cities, nations, and entire continents. Rail was a tool of industry and empire as well as, eventually, passenger transport, and developments in technology occurred at breakneck speed—even if the first locomotive in America could muster only 6 mph.

The Coming of the Railway explores these fascinating developments, documenting the early railway's outsize social, political, and economic impact—carving out the shape of the global economy as we know it today.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.