The GWR Story

The Great Western Railway was engineering by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, planned to link London with the south-west and west of England. Enabled by Parliament in 1835, it soon became known as 'God's Wonderful Railway', regarded as the most advanced in the world. Even after amalgamation in 1922, when the 'big 4' were created, GWR alone retained its name and character. GWR historian Rosa Matheson tells an incredible story and captures the reasons behind the enduring fascination with the GWR, a tale full of record breakers and mighty achievements. The story of the GWR is more than the story of the company and its workers, more than the story of engines, carriages, the battle of the broad gauge and the magnificent engineers, including Gooch, Dean, Churchward and of course Brunel. It is the sum of all the parts and more. In the 175th year of its inauguration it is a story waiting to be retold to a modern age.

Auteur

Rosa Matheson is Swindon's best-known railway author. A long-time enthusiast of Swindon Works, GWR and women's railway history, she has a large collection of memorabilia and has written a number of books and articles on her pet topi. She is also active in presenting talks to the community.

Résumé
The Great Western Railway - quickly coming to be known as 'God's Wonderful Railway' - was once regarded as the most advanced in the world. Engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel it was initially designed to connect Bristol to London and came to develop a distinct character all of its own, one of the many reasons why it remains a much-loved and popular area of interest. This book traces its history covering topics such as the company, its engines and carriages, its engineers - including Gooch, Dean, Armstrong, Collett, Churchward and of course Brunel - as well as the battle of the gauges. Full of little-known facts and figures and with numerous photographs and memorabilia as well as a timeline, it is a tale full of record breakers and mighty achievements waiting to be retold to a modern age.