- Waggonway / wagonway spread - the first 20 years (Page last updated 12 Aug 2007)
The use of wheeled vehicles running on prepared tracks dates back to the Ancient Greek civilisation when guidance using rails and ruts was utilised. The Central European mineral miners used "hund" systems underground too and that technology was recorded in England in the works of the "Mines Royal" around Keswick during the reign of Elizabeth 1.
However it wasn't until the time of James I of England (James VI of Scotland) in 1603 - 4 that we learn of this transport being used above ground and for a fairly long haul run. That was the world's first proven embryo railway and it was built from Strelley to Wollaton near Nottingham in England. The map and legend below traces the first 20 years development of this new technology called a wagonway in the south and a waggonway in the north east.
The map uses "hot spots" Clicking on the text will take you to the related key table entry.
The map below uses "hot spots" Click on text to read related key table entry.
The map above uses "hot spots" Click on text to read related key table entry.
MR | Mines Royal - Archaelogical evidence now confirms use of "hund" systems underground at Caldbeck, near Keswick, circa 1560. However there is no evidence yet discovered indicating that overland waggonways existed here. |
Un | Prescot (unproven) A waggonway pre-dating Wollaton has been suggested for Prescot in Lancashire based on surviving documentation. Despite research by others this remains unproven and the text references to railes probably relate to fencing rails. |
A/1+? | Wollaton. Currently England's oldest known, proven, waggonway. (predates October 1604) Surviving physical features suggest further waggonway (or wainway) routes may have existed in the area but these are undocumented. |
B/5 | Broseley & Willey First, recorded, waggonway in area built by 1605. At least five recorded by 1624. Existence of earlier dated, but unrecorded, wagonways in this area is a possibility. |
C/3 | Blythe area. Three waggonways built by 1608 - all closed in 1616. Materials removed for purpose unknown. |
D/1? | Stacks (Firth of Forth) One? - circa1609. Proposal details within a surviving document, actual construction is unproven. |
E/1? | Duns ton - The Whickham Grand Lease Way is undoubtedly the first waggonway recorded on the Tyne. However different sources quote differing build dates. Possibly opened as early as 1621.To the map |
© | Map and data is copyright John New 2004. |
The information compiled here is from many sources but the prime one's used are set out below. If you have an interest in these early railways it is recommended you try to get a copy of Mike Lewis's book "Early Wooden railways". Unfortunately it is currently out of print therefore the copy will need to be obtained either second hand or through the Public Libraries inter-loan scheme. For information on the Wollaton and Strelley mine workings Dr Smith's works, also regrettably out of print, are the prime sources.
Bibliography & Sources
(M = magazine : B = book : O = original papers)
(O) Middleton Collection in the Nottingham University Library
(M) Huntingdon Beaumont Adventurer in coal mines, (AVICM) Dr R S Smith (Renaissance and Modern Studies II 1958)
(M) England’s First Rails A reconsideration. (EFR) Dr R S Smith. (Renaissance and Modern Studies IV 1960)
(M) 400 years of English railways J New (Backtrack Nov ‘04.)
(B) Early coal mining around Nottingham. Dr R S Smith
(B) Early Wooden Railways. M J T Lewis.