Alastair Smith, chair of the Friends of Sway Station, is delivering a series of audio-illustrated talks celebrating 200 years of music and railway heritage.

Alastair’s 50-minute presentation takes the audience on a journey through 200 years of the railway, exploring how trains have inspired iconic music across genres – everything from classical, folk and jazz to blues, country and pop.

Alastair said: “In the 200 years since the first passenger railway developed in the UK, the railway has had such a profound influence on our society – it has created, shaped and developed communities.

“The railway has also inspired engineering, architecture and art, but it has also had a great influence on music and musicians, with the sounds of steam trains and the rhythm of the track giving lots of new ideas.

“From ballads of the railway navvies and risqué music hall songs, through to sound pictures of train journeys or songs about separation, reunion and people on trains, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this fun exploration of 200 years of music and the railway.”

If you are interested in Alastair hosting a music talk at your event or station, please contact alastairsmith49@gmail.com.