By comparison with their English counterparts, Scottish nineteenth-century railways have suffered from a degree of neglect by economic historians. Most of the existing literature is written for the railway enthusiast, concentrating mainly on topography, mechanical developments and entertaining episodes. Few of these books cover the whole of Scotland and most are treatments of single companies or of particular dramatic events. This study covers the earliest period of Scottish railway history, from the years of the first waggonway developments in the eighteenth century to the advent of the railway mania of the 1840s. It concentrates on the planning and formation of the various railways, the problems and achievements associated with their construction, and the financial records of the companies up to 1844. The first two chapters cover the horse-drawn waggonways of the eighteenth century and the coal railways of the early nineteenth century, while Chapters 3–5 cover the railways of the 1830s and 1840s.

This volume covers the crucial period in Scotland which led up the railway mania of the 1840s. Beginning with the wagonways of the eighteenth century, it moves on to consider how Scotland's transport developments were intertwined with the momentum of the Industrial Revolution and the development of municipal corporations. From individual initiatives to a national network, the history of the railways is a story of burgeoning technology and early capitalism. The story ends with the authorisation of the North British in July 1844, by which time the Scottish railway industry was consuming u1.68 million a year in new share and loan capital."

A comprehensive and insightful analysis of the Scottish railway system, covering its origins, development, and future prospects. With expert knowledge and a passion for the subject, the author provides a compelling overview of this vital aspect of Scotland's transportation infrastructure. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The rich diversity of Scotland's railway network has never before been the subject of a specialist atlas. This book showcases 181 topographical and railway maps, telling the story of the country's railways from the early nineteenth century to the present day. Researched and written by David Spaven - who co-wrote the best-selling Mapping the Railways on the history of Britain's rail network - this beautiful atlas allows the reader to understand the bigger story of the effects of the railways on the landscape and the impact of Scotland's distinctive geography on the pattern of railway development over a period of nearly 200 years. The unique map selection is supported by an informative commentary of key cartographic, geographic and historical features. This sumptuous atlas will appeal not just to railway enthusiasts and those who appreciate the beauty of maps, but also to readers fascinated by the role of railways in Scotland's modern developments.