jan 1, 1700 - rail

Description:

These words are first on record in coal-mining districts, in connection with ways or roads laid with rails which allowed heavily-laden wagons to move more freely. They are said to have existed in Newcastle from the early seventeenth century (OED). They were originally of wood but rails made of cast-iron came into use in the 1700s. The evidence in Yorkshire for these words dates from the early nineteenth century: 1816 <i>Taking down and laying iron rails £4 13s 4d,</i> Bradshaw (HAS32/282).

Added to timeline:

Date: