Britain's Railway Empire in Colour

Episode 1: Tracks of Empire
Britain’s growing rail network transformed lives and grew into a national obsession.

As Britain’s railway network was established, it changed the nation and its inhabitants. Trainspotter Francis Bourgeois tells the story of his 19th century equivalent, George Tod, who took stunning black and white photographs of his favorite trains, now colorized to bring his vision to life. As the railways expanded across Britain’s empire, there was often a high price to pay for progress.

Episode 2: Battle Lines
How Britain’s global rail network adapted to a changing world, dominated by war.

As a new century dawned, railways continued to expand across the British Empire. The Trans-Australia Railway was built, uniting the young nation. In South Africa, the railways played a key role in the Boer War and a battle for an armored train made Winston Churchill famous. Soon, the railways were forced to adapt to global events, as two world wars changed the course of history.