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Queen Victoria changing trains at Gloucester, 1849. Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859)
Filename: 917_05_009304.jpg
Size: 3915 x 2425 (4.9MB)
Date: 26th March 2014
Source: Universal Images Group (UIG)
© Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Universal Images Group (UIG)
Queen Victoria changing trains at Gloucester, 1849. Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859)
Queen Victoria changing trains at Gloucester, 1849. Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) favoured the 7ft 1/4inch (2.2m) broad gauge and designed the Great Western Railway accordingly. However, in the Gauge Act of 1846 Parliament declared that all future railway track should be of the standard 4ft 8 1/2inch (1.44m) gauge introduced by George Stephenson (1781-1848) on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. It was not until 1892 that the last broad gauge track was lifted. On her journey back to London from Balmoral the Queen changed from the standard gauge Midland Railway to the broad gauge Great Western Railway. From The Illustrated London News. (London, 6 October 1849)
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Media ID 9751753
© Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group
1781 1848 1806 1859 1846 1849 1892 Back Broad Brunel Changed Changing Civil Declared Designed Engineering Future Gauge George Gloucester Great Illustrated Introduced Isambard Kingdom Liverpool Manchester News October Parliament Queen Rail Railway Royalty Standard Stephenson Track Trains Transport Victoria Western Balmoral Favoured Lifted Midland
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in British railway history - Queen Victoria changing trains at Gloucester in 1849. The renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, known for his innovative designs, favored the broad gauge of 7ft 1/4inch (2.2m) and had designed the Great Western Railway accordingly. However, Parliament's Gauge Act of 1846 declared that all future railway tracks should adhere to George Stephenson's standard gauge of 4ft 8 1/2inch (1.44m), as introduced on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. In this image, we witness Queen Victoria herself transitioning from the standard gauge Midland Railway to the broad gauge Great Western Railway during her journey back to London from Balmoral. It is a testament to both Brunel's engineering prowess and Britain's evolving rail transport system. It is worth noting that it took until 1892 for the last remnants of broad gauge track to be lifted across Britain, marking an end to an era dominated by Brunel's preferred design. This photograph serves as a visual reminder of this pivotal moment in railway history and highlights the ongoing advancements and changes within British civil engineering. The image was originally featured in The Illustrated London News on October 6th, 1849, showcasing its significance even during that time period. As we gaze upon this historical snapshot today, we are transported back to a time when rail travel was rapidly transforming Britain and shaping its future as a leader in transportation innovation.
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