Who Designed The Great Western Railway?
In 1832 Isambard Kingdom Brunel was appointed as the engineer to design and develop the Great Western Railway. The line was to run between London and Bristol. The company behind the scheme failed to get parliamentary approval on their first attempt but in 1835 the company was given the go ahead. The first stretch of line opened between London and Maidenhead in 1838. Brunel proposed several unusual elements. He insisted on a broad gauge track which was not compatible with other lines and design unique trains supposedly to suit a new high speed service. Costs rose to twice the anticipated figure of 3million and the railway’s backers attempted to sack Brunel before the 116 mile line opened in 1841. The railway became a big success and by 1862 had expanded to cover a total mileage of 595. It is now ranked as one of Brunel’s notable achievements.
