The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 11 (March 1, 1928)
Birth of a Railway
Birth of a Railway.
Just ninety years ago the Great Western Railway of England was opened between London and Maidenhead-on-Thames. In a recent volume entitled the “History of the Great Western Railway,” by E. T. MacDermot, published by the Great Western Company, there is unfolded the wondrous story of the birth and development of this unique transportation system, which has played so vital a part in Britain's progress. Railway working in the “good old days” was a very primitive business. For long, traffic was conducted in such a happy-go-lucky fashion that trains were not always restricted to the correct “Up” or “Down” road, while fixed signals were almost unknown. The trials and troubles of the early railway officials make especially interesting reading, and this ably penned record of the birth and growth of Brunel's far-flung railway undertaking is one which will appeal to railway-men of all grades the world over. It should certainly find a place in every railway library.