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Talk

Britain's love affair with the railways

Come along for a celebration of the modern railway.

Date
16 January 2026
Location
Online
About this image

Illustration of locomotive 'Locomotion' 1875, Catalogue reference: COPY1-31 (60)

From Stephenson’s Rocket to Thomas the Tank Engine and the Flying Scotsman to Michael Portillo, as a nation we have had a unique fascination with trains over the centuries.

The latest manifestation has been through many celebrating Railway 200, the bicentenary of the pioneering Stockton & Darlington Railway – the world’s first passenger train.

Join author Michael Williams as he discusses our enduring love affair with the railways with reference to history, culture and his own travels by train around the world.

Event details

Date
16 January 2026, 14:00 to 15:00
Price
Free

Pay what you can

Location
Online, Live-streamed on Vimeo

This event has sold out.

Dates for this event

16 January 2026 (past event)

  • 14:00 to 15:00

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Speakers

  • Michael Williams

    Journalist, academic and author

    Michael Williams is a leading commentator on railways in the national media. He is the author of bestselling books, including the ‘On the Slow Train’ series, published by Penguin Random House.