1803 The first public railway, the Surrey Iron Railway opens in south London.

1807 First fare-paying, passenger railway service in the world was established on the Oystermouth Railway in Swansea, Wales. Later this became known as the Swansea and Mumbles Railway although the railway was more affectionately known as “The Mumbles Train” (Welsh: Tren Bach I’r Mwmbwls). The railway survived using various forms of traction until 1960.

1808 Richard Trevithick sets up a circular steam railway (didn’t go anywhere) for the public to experience for 1 shilling each.

1825 Stephenson’s Stockton and Darlington Railway, the first publicly subscribed, adhesion worked railway using steam locomotives, carrying freight from a Colliery to a river port (Passengers were conveyed by horse-drawn carriages).

1830 The Canterbury and Whitstable Railway opens in Kent, England on the 3 May, Engineered by George Stephenson, 3 months before the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. A 5¾ mile line running from Canterbury to the small port and fishing town of Whitstable, approx. 55 miles east of London. Traction was provided by three Stationary Winding Engines, and “INVICTA”; Invicta was an 0-4-0 Loco, built by the Stevenson company, but only operated on a level section of track owing to the fact she produced a meagre 9 hp.

1830 The Liverpool and Manchester Railway opens, and the first steam passenger service, primarily locomotive hauled, is started. The line proves the viability of rail transport, and large scale railway construction begins in Britain, and then spreads throughout the world. The Railway age begins.

And there were certainly plenty of railway casualties – drivers, animals, passengers, public – prior to 1830. For example a colloery worker called Lewis run over by colliery train in 1886.