Although some perceived the advent of the locomotive as a threat to the countryside, by allowing artists a quick and easy way to travel, it broadened their choice of painting horizons, discovers Carla Passino

The myriad tracks and carriages of the British rail network have proved fruitful inspiration for generations of writers, says Deborah Nicholls-Lee

Whether Metroland breakfasts or picnics on the go, the railways have transformed how we eat forever, finds Emma Hughes

Railways gave criminals a vast pool of people from which to target victims - and at the same time offered a new, fast means of escape and a chance to remain anonymous. TONY STREETER and GEORGE DENT don their deerstalkers and head back in time…

The appeal of being lulled to sleep as a sleeper train rattles homewards is synonymous with adventure and romance, says Mary Miers

Kicking off a special final section of Railway 200 features to round off our year of anniversary celebrations, TIM DUNN looks at how art has long been used to romanticise and promote Britain’s railways