On: London to Brighton train ride, 1953-2013 [video]

[astrosi]

There is also another, more practical, reason for the lack of trees and general greenery next to the train lines.

In 1953 we are still in the age of steam and trees were cut back from the lines to reduce the risk of fires from hot ash.

There was a pretty interesting article with the BBC to accompany this a while back.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23853863

[rayiner → astrosi]

> In 1953 we are still in the age of steam and trees were cut back from the lines to reduce the risk of fires from hot ash.

I'm assuming that's a joke, but one of the things that's always surprised me is how early electrification happened. The London-Brighton line was electrified in segments from 1909 to 1932. Many of the commuter rail lines in the U.S. were electrified that period too.