The LNER Encyclopedia

Were there railways in 1605? They seem to think so here.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... s-ago.html

Nobody employs proofreaders in 2014, methinks.

Good morning all

There was a wagon way built at Jackfield in 1605 by James Clifford, from his coal mines to the river.

It was one of the earliest in the world.

Earlswood nob

German mining operations in the middle ages is known to have used waggonways.

There was a 'waggonway' built at Wollaton near Nottingham between 1603-4. It was not a railway perhaps, but certainly a precursor. Built to transport coal, of course.

John

According to the "Guinness book of rail facts & feats". The principle of a railway date back to babylonian times about 2245BC. The oldest known illustration of anything like a railway dating to 1350+/- in the Minster of Freiburg-im-Breisgau Germany. The earliest record of a railway in the accepted sense is another illustration dated 1550 of a narrow gauge mine railway in Alsace. So collectively well before Messrs Stephenson and Co arrvied on the scene.

I don't know the Babylonian reference, but the Greek system across the Corinth Isthmus is often quoted as one of the first "railways". It had 'cars' that carried boats from one side to the other. > 2000 yrs ago.

Considering the problems the Daily Mail have with current events, I'm surprised anyone looks at them for historical 'facts'...

The Guinness book also mentions the Greeks too. At about the time you mention Richard.