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This week, in 1803, The Surrey Iron Railway, arguably the world's first public railway, opened in South London. To commemorate this, we present pictures of famous trains and railways, past and present.

On 26 July 1803, the Surrey Iron Railway was opened. Functioning more like a turnpike road, anyone could use it by paying a toll. It linked Wandsworth and Croydon, via Mitcham. Photo credit: Stephenson Locomotive Society. SLS homepage