Coming from the country that invented trains, and then practically scrapped them in a fit of capitalist futility, leaving all that effort waste, it's always surprising to see railways are still a big deal outside the Anglo counties.
Coming from the country that invented trains, and then practically scrapped them in a fit of capitalist futility, leaving all that effort waste, it's always surprising to see railways are still a big deal outside the Anglo counties.
I thought that was England...but ok. The history is a bit..ohm..yes. To what event are you referring to?
Joke on English-Scottish (friendly) rivalry. Despite not being Scottish myself. Or English.
A Scotsman (the James Watt) arguably plays the most important role in the Industrial Revolution, due to the efficient steam engine he perfected that formed the basis of nearly all other (important) inventions of the period. He also had his fingers in all sorts of similar projects (including steam locomotives) thanks to the company he ran.
The first practical steam-powered rail locomotive was, however, invented by an Englishman (Trevithick). Said Englishman was heavily inspired by the experiments of his next-door neighbor, Murdoch, who built Britain's first steam road locomotive. Murdoch might have developed the steam rail locomotive first if he wasn't screwed over by his boss who dissuaded him from using high-pressure steam before stealing his patent behind his back.
Ironically, said shitty boss also happens to be Watt.