GWR Opening 1841
Michael L. Roach
Michael L. Roach
GWR OPENING 1841
Opening Throughout of the Great Western Railway
It was 180 years ago today on Wednesday 30 June 1841 that the final length of the GWR was completed and opened for business meaning that trains could now travel the whole way from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. The Act of Parliament had been passed in 1835 and the first length, from Paddington to Maidenhead, had opened in 1838 and the rest followed in stages. This is the contemporary report that appeared in the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette of 8 July 1841.
“On Wednesday (i.e.30 June 1841) this magnificent Railway was opened throughout between London and Bristol, 120 miles. It is already known that from Bristol to Bridgewater (sic) on the Exeter line, is open, and has been so for some weeks. The Great Western Railway would have been open long since but for the tunnel through Box Hill (six miles from Bath), which is nearly three miles in length, principally through stone. The difficulties and danger of forming this monster tunnel was looked upon as so great that for some time no one could be found to undertake the work, and it was at one period intended to carry the Railway round the hill. Now, after very great difficulties and impediments, the tunnel has been completed, through the perseverance and skill of its undertakers, and it will remain a wonderful monument of the powers of human intellect and industry.
Between Bristol and Bath alone, a distance of about twelve miles, there are six tunnels, some of them of great length. The summit level of the whole line is at Swindon, 76 miles from London, and is 253 feet above the depot at Paddington, and 275 feet above the terminus at Bristol. In February 1836 the works were commenced, the original estimate of which was £2.5M, but the actual outlay has already been more than double that amount – upwards of £5M. This will afford some small notion of the magnitude of this great undertaking. The distance from London to Bridgewater is to be achieved in 5½ hours on this Railway, and persons will be able to travel from London to Bristol in about 4 hours – 120 miles in 4 hours !”
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was appointed Engineer to the GWR in 1835 when he was just 29 years old. He surveyed the chosen route via Didcot and Swindon himself with help from assistants. It was far and away Brunel's largest civil engineering scheme to date and the line remains substantially as built, and one of Brunel's enduring legacies. He went on to engineer many more railways before his death in 1859 at the age of 53.
MLR/ 14 February 2021
Opening Throughout of the Great Western Railway
It was 180 years ago today on Wednesday 30 June 1841 that the final length of the GWR was completed and opened for business meaning that trains could now travel the whole way from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. The Act of Parliament had been passed in 1835 and the first length, from Paddington to Maidenhead, had opened in 1838 and the rest followed in stages. This is the contemporary report that appeared in the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette of 8 July 1841.
“On Wednesday (i.e.30 June 1841) this magnificent Railway was opened throughout between London and Bristol, 120 miles. It is already known that from Bristol to Bridgewater (sic) on the Exeter line, is open, and has been so for some weeks. The Great Western Railway would have been open long since but for the tunnel through Box Hill (six miles from Bath), which is nearly three miles in length, principally through stone. The difficulties and danger of forming this monster tunnel was looked upon as so great that for some time no one could be found to undertake the work, and it was at one period intended to carry the Railway round the hill. Now, after very great difficulties and impediments, the tunnel has been completed, through the perseverance and skill of its undertakers, and it will remain a wonderful monument of the powers of human intellect and industry.
Between Bristol and Bath alone, a distance of about twelve miles, there are six tunnels, some of them of great length. The summit level of the whole line is at Swindon, 76 miles from London, and is 253 feet above the depot at Paddington, and 275 feet above the terminus at Bristol. In February 1836 the works were commenced, the original estimate of which was £2.5M, but the actual outlay has already been more than double that amount – upwards of £5M. This will afford some small notion of the magnitude of this great undertaking. The distance from London to Bridgewater is to be achieved in 5½ hours on this Railway, and persons will be able to travel from London to Bristol in about 4 hours – 120 miles in 4 hours !”
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was appointed Engineer to the GWR in 1835 when he was just 29 years old. He surveyed the chosen route via Didcot and Swindon himself with help from assistants. It was far and away Brunel's largest civil engineering scheme to date and the line remains substantially as built, and one of Brunel's enduring legacies. He went on to engineer many more railways before his death in 1859 at the age of 53.
MLR/ 14 February 2021
Many thanks Mike for remembering and recording such an important anniversary on the due date - as usual 'spot on'.
Light engine movement
Keith Turley and Neville King
Keith Turley and Neville King
57306 passes Cowley Bridge Junc. Reading Train Care to Penzance for overnight sleeper working. 29th June 2021 Copyright Keith Turley
57306 passes Hallenbeagle 29th JUne 2021. Copyright Neville King
Many thanks to both Keith and Neville - a lovely day.
Class 50s at Andover
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
I send two pictures taken just over 36 years ago at Andover on 28 June 1985 and the first shows 50031 ‘Hood’ arriving with the 14.17 from Exeter to London Waterloo. Copyright Michael Forward
We now see 50044 ‘Exeter’ with the 15.10 from Waterloo,16.16 dep. For Exeter Copyright Michael Forward
Many Thanks Michael
15 November 1986 the end of an era
Exminster up bracket signal removal
Paul Barlow
Exminster up bracket signal removal
Paul Barlow
That was a very sad end to Exminster box, especially considering it lasted so long after being closed.
I enclose a few pictures of the removal of the up bracket signal the day after closure of the box. It was pulled out of the ground by the crane,then pulled down by the gang with ropes!
I followed the signal removal train from City Basin to Dawlish Warren on Saturday 15 November, the line was shut for the weekend. The last up train signalled under semaphores was the Penzance to Paddington postals with 50026. I saw this pass at 23.22 at Dawlish Warren the previous night (Friday 14 November)
Regarding Chard junction a number of trains were booked to stop for passing other trains. As there was no central door locking, only officious staff would stop you getting off for a photo.
Things were far more relaxed then, no CCTV or so many security jobsworths around. Staff just turned a blind eye and said 'I didn't see you!'
Hope this is of interest
all the best
Paul
I enclose a few pictures of the removal of the up bracket signal the day after closure of the box. It was pulled out of the ground by the crane,then pulled down by the gang with ropes!
I followed the signal removal train from City Basin to Dawlish Warren on Saturday 15 November, the line was shut for the weekend. The last up train signalled under semaphores was the Penzance to Paddington postals with 50026. I saw this pass at 23.22 at Dawlish Warren the previous night (Friday 14 November)
Regarding Chard junction a number of trains were booked to stop for passing other trains. As there was no central door locking, only officious staff would stop you getting off for a photo.
Things were far more relaxed then, no CCTV or so many security jobsworths around. Staff just turned a blind eye and said 'I didn't see you!'
Hope this is of interest
all the best
Paul
Exminster down signal was removed first 15th November 1986 47130 was hauling the signal removal train in the distance. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Exminster up bracket signal the removal team gather on site. 15th November 1986. Copyright Paul Barlow
Exminster up bracket signal removal. The crane is attached ready for the lift. 15 November 1986. Copyright Paul Barlow.
lifted out and awaits further dismantling. 15th November 1986. Copyright Paul Barlow
Exminster up bracket signal grounded. 15th November 1986. Copyright Paul Barlow
With regard to you comment, Paul, "Hope this is of interest" - it most certainly is and many thanks for being on the spot and recording the action.