Broad Gauge Railways

Isambard Kingdom Brunel considered the Great Western Railway the "finest work in England" and he contributed many groundbreaking features, none so unorthodox as the decision not to adopt the "standard" track gauge of 4ft 8½in and instead introduce the new 'broad gauge' of 7ft ¼in. Describing the rationale behind the choice of broad gauge, and also the unique track and locomotives used, this beautifully illustrated introduction to broad gauge railways chronicles the building of the original GWR between Bristol and London, and the expansion of that original 112-mile main line into a network stretching across the West of England, Wales and the Midlands. It describes how the clash between broad and narrow led to the "Battle of the Gauges" and also provides a list of places to visit where broad gauge artifacts still survive.

Regatul Isambard Brunel a considerat Great Western Railway „cea mai buna lucrare din Anglia” si a contribuit cu multe caracteristici revolutionare, nici una atat de neortodoxa ca decizia de a nu adopta ecartamentul „standard” de 4ft 8½in si, in schimb, introduce noul „ecartament larg” de 7ft ¼in. Descriind ratiunea din spatele alegerii ecartamentului larg, precum si liniei si locomotivelor unice utilizate, aceasta introducere frumos ilustrata a cailor ferate cu ecartament larg cronica constructia GWR original intre Bristol si Londra si extinderea acelei linii principale originale de 112 mile. intr-o retea care se intinde peste vestul Angliei, Tara Galilor si Midlands.