Mark Williams on the Rails

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Technology, Travel Documentary hosted by Mark Williams, published by Discovery Channel in 2004 - English narration

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Mark Williams on the Rails A collection of all ten episodes from the acclaimed Discovery Channel series celebrating 200 years of railways. Travelling the length and breadth of Britain Mark Williams tracks down the nation's fascinating railway heritage and gets to grips with locos such as the 160 ton Duchess of Sutherland. From the earliest designs of Richard Trevithick and George and Robert Stephenson to the advent of Class 31, the history is all here! Also revealed are the backgrounds to The London Underground and the evolution of railway coaches. Exclusive Footage: Mark tackles the issue of safety on the rails and how today's rail companies are dealing with faster and more powerful trains while allaying the public's growing fear of safety. Visit America's Transcontinental Railroad and sample the luxury of The Orient Express!

[edit] Cornish Steam Giant

The actor examines the achievement of Richard Trevithick, who built the first locomotive more than 200 years ago

[edit] Rocket Men

The creation of railways in north-east England by George Stephenson and his son

[edit] Brunel

Brunel’s development of the highly advanced Great Western Railway is explored by the comic actor and train enthusiast

[edit] Moving Mountains

The actor rides American trains to explore the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, which provided a much-needed link between the country's east and west coasts

[edit] Carriage Kings

Taking a ride in an old third-class carriage and a lavish trip on the Orient Express, the actor and funnyman investigates how the introduction of railways affected social divisions

[edit] Death on the Tracks

The reasons why track deaths were commonplace during the early days of train travel, and how flags and electric levers helped improve safety

[edit] Big Country

How an engine used to transport slate down the Welsh peaks became the inspiration for a railway through the Rocky Mountains

[edit] Speed and Power

The ways in which the race for speed during the 1920s and 1930s led to locomotive records that are still a match for modern rail travel

[edit] Diesel Generation

The introduction of diesel electric systems in 1953 comes under the actor's scrutiny, as he drives a Class 31 engine that boasts a hotplate, windscreen wiper and ashtrays

[edit] Going Underground

The comedian travels through an early tunnel beneath the Thames as he explores the London Underground, the oldest subterranean rail network in the world