The Great Western Railway in Victorian Berkshire
Richard Marks
- Regions:
- South East, London, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Bristol, Wiltshire, Dorset
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £80 plus travel @45p per mile. Can also be run online
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 26th October 2025
- Tagged:
- Great Western Railway | Berkshire | Railways | Industrial History
Steam, speed, and social change — how the Great Western Railway transformed Victorian Berkshire. Join historian Dr Richard Marks for a richly illustrated journey into the heart of Berkshire’s railway past. Victorian Berkshire and the Great Western Railway explores how Brunel’s bold vision carved its way through the county — reshaping landscapes, livelihoods, and local identity. This talk traces the arrival of the GWR in Berkshire: why Brunel chose this route, how the first stations were sited, and what their placement reveals about Victorian priorities — from market access to political influence. You’ll discover how the railway connected rural communities to urban centres, revolutionised travel and trade, and brought new rhythms to everyday life. From the engineering marvel of the cutting at Sonning to the social impact on towns like Reading, Didcot, and Newbury, the GWR was more than just a transport system — it was a catalyst for change. We’ll explore how it affected employment, migration, leisure, and even architecture, and how Berkshire’s residents responded to the thunder of steam and the promise of progress. Whether you’re a railway enthusiast, a local historian, or simply curious about how the tracks beneath our feet shaped the world around us, this talk offers fresh insight into one of Britain’s most iconic railways — and the county it helped transform.
Views: 1243 | Enquiries: 3About Richard Marks
Dr Richard Marks is a freelance historian based in Berkshire, known for bringing Britain’s industrial past vividly to life. With a PhD in History from the University of Reading (2024), he specialises in industrial, military, and railway history, as well as the history of science — weaving together technical insight and human stories with compelling clarity.
His current research explores the forces of industrial and social change in the Victorian era, charting the evolution of Britain’s railways, canals, and manufacturing landscapes. Whether delving into the machinery of empire or the lives shaped by it, Richard offers audiences fresh perspectives on how Britain was built — and what it left behind.
A seasoned educator and engaging speaker, Richard lectures part-time at the University of Oxford and has taught a wide range of historical subjects to diverse audiences. His talks combine scholarly rigour with accessible storytelling, making him a sought-after contributor to heritage events, academic panels, and public programmes.
Richard's talks are suitable for different audiences and group sizes. He can adjust the length and format to meet your needs. His goal is to inform and entertain, and to leave the audience with a new insight and a desire to learn more.
Whilst Richard usually runs face to face talks in London and the South East, he is happy to discuss talks anywhere in the United Kingdom, and is more than comfortable with presenting over Zoom. Please feel free to contact Richard to discuss costs and options for any of his talks.
Richard regularly updates his list of talks as he completes research into a variety of topics, so do check back on his page to see what's new.
Feedback from previous talks: "Richard had clearly done a massive amount of research and preparation. He is an excellent presenter very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. It was informative and thought provoking."
"I found the whole subject fascinating and wanted to learn more."
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Richard Marks
- A Lot More than Spitfires; Behind the Battle of Britain
- Arrival of the Railways in Reading
- A Bombers Moon: The Equipment and Tactics of RAF Bomber Command during World War Two
- Iron Dragons: British Tanks in the First World War
- A Barber and a Surgeon: Medicine in Victorian Times
- Stephensons Horses: The Victorian Railways
- Trouble at Mill: Life in the Victorian Factories
- An Eclectic Extravaganza: Victorians at Leisure
- Chocks Away: The Royal Flying Corps in the First World War
- So You Think We Do Not Make Anything Anymore ? British Manufacturing in the 21st Century
- Munitions Workers in World War One
- Britains Railways During World War One
- Britains Railways During World War Two
- Munitions Workers in World War Two
- They also Served: Women in Britain's Armed Forces during World War Two
- A Germination of an Idea: The Suttons Seeds Company
- A lot of Bs: Industry in Victorian Reading; more than just Biscuits
- What did Aunt May do in the War? Munitions Workers in World War One for Family Historians
- What Did Grandma do in World War 2? Munitions Workers in World War Two for Family Historians
- The Royal Flying Corps in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2 for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War Two for Family Historians
- Football and World War One
- Britain's Railway History for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2
- Biscuits for Queen Victoria: The Story of the Early Days of Huntley and Palmer
- The Royal Navy in World War I
- The Royal Navy in World War 2
- The Western Front in World War One
- The Home Front in World War I
- More Than France: Why World War I was a World War
- A British Industrial Giant that Never Was: The Story of British Rail Engineering Limited
- Living in The Slums: The Experience of the Victorian Working Class
- D-Day: Operation Overlord 80th Anniversary
- Railway 200: The British Railway Revolution
- Railway 200: How Britains First Railways Changed Everything
- The World's First Steam Tramway: The Story of the Wantage Tramway
- Steel Fortresses: British Tanks in World War Two
- What the Victorian railway did for you...
- Victory in Europe. Victory in Japan. But what really won World War Two for the Allies ?
- Trams and Biscuits: The History of Reading's Tramways
- The Good, The Bad and the Sandwich: The Story of British Rail in the 1970s
Send a message to the speaker
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: