The Glorious Years of the GWR

The Great Western Railway’s first train ran on the Broad Gauge during 1838 and thereafter the company developed an esteemed reputation amongst travellers and enthusiasts alike. The Glorious Years of the GWR looks at the early days of the Broad Gauge to the conversion to Standard Gauge and the post-Grouping period using over 230 excellent black-and-white images. Split into several sections, the book presents locomotives, carriages, buses and road vehicles and stations. The photographs have been taken at the GWR’s stations, sheds and workshops, as well as the lineside, spanning South West England, the West Midlands and most of Wales. A number of the various locomotive classes built over the years are featured, including: Daniel Gooch’s Iron Duke Class singles; constituent Broad Gauge locomotives; William Dean’s singles and 4-4-0s; Joseph and George Armstrong’s classes; Churchward’s pioneering designs; Collett’s recognisable 4-6-0s, etc. The GWR developed a distinct identity with their coaching stock, taking inspiration from developments in America. This was displayed in the 70 ft Dreadnought stock of the early 20th century and later by the Super Saloons of the late 1920s. Many steam rail motors were built for local services in the 1900s and the GWR was amongst the early adopters of the idea. The use of slip coaches also set the company apart from others in Britain. In 1903, the GWR was the first railway company to offer a bus service, running from Helston to The Lizard. This began a development of local routes and led to the adoption of motor transport for goods traffic from the rail head to destination. The GWR was operational for 110 years and during that time the company’s officers and employees were able to create a lasting legacy of hard work, achievement and innovation.

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