Read and translate the text. The British class system, with its divisions into the wealthy, the middle class and the poor, immediately made its mark on the railways

The British class system, with its divisions into the wealthy, the middle class and the poor, immediately made its mark on the railways. Until the coming of the steam railway the horse had been the fastest means of transport, travelling at speeds of 20mph or more singly with a solo rider. In practice, it was largely only the wealthy who travelled around the country, for the average working man was tied to his place of work on the farm or the developing factories of the industrial revolution. The wealthiest had their own private carriages and horses, while merchants and others who needed to travel frequently took the express stage or mail coaches. Many road carriages had two classes of travel - inside or outside. Inside was the most luxurious with well-padded seats for four or six passengers, but outside passengers were subject to the vagaries of the English climate.

The railway pioneers of the early nineteenth century in planning to carry passengers were soon faced with the problem of what type of vehicle to use, since never before had there been any such thing as a railway carriage. Indeed, of the four essential features which went to make up early all-purpose railways - track, steam locomotives, goods wagons, and passenger carriages - only the last item was unknown in rail transport.