CROSSING THE PENNINES PART ONE THE ROUTES

摘要

The Pennine Range, forming 'The Backbone of England', stretches for some 130 miles southwards from Hadrian's Wall. With numerous peaks over 2,000 feet, it presented considerable difficulties for the early railway builders, some of which still apply today. Western Yorkshire and eastern Lancashire were both powerhouses of the industrial revolution and depended on good communications. The need for good transport was particularly crucial with freight, as there were extensive coal measures in both counties, and large textile industries sprung up in the numerous valleys where water was available for power and processing.