First Great Western has teamed up with National Geographic Channel UK to explore the history of the Great Western Railway to commemorate its landmark 175th anniversary.
It is 175 years since prolific railway engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was granted the Royal Assent of the Great Western Railway Bill at the Houses of Parliament. To mark the occasion renowned historian, Dan Cruickshank, will explore the network as well as the history of Brunel on Great Railway Adventures on National Geographic at 9pm tomorrow.
Produced by ITN Productions, Brilliant Brunel is the second programme in the three-part series and pays particular attention to one of the engineer’s most famous constructions, the Box Tunnel just outside Bath. At the time it was the longest railway tunnel the world had ever seen.
It is the latest in a list of activities to mark the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway. Other events include train namings as well as special non-stop steam train, The Bristolian, which spent a day on the tracks last month.
A First Great Western spokesman said: “This is a landmark anniversary and a great chance to explore our heritage. Brunel’s constructions all that time ago really did shape today’s railways and should be celebrated.”
Dan Cruickshank said: “Join me on a railway adventure like no other as I explore how trains helped shape modern Britain. I’ll be unearthing the incredible engineering achievements of Brunel, whose designs revolutionised public transport and modern engineering and set the standard for the construction of the railways. Using careful surveys to minimise grades and curves allowed him to create several bridges and viaducts, the most famous being the Box Tunnel.”
Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank will be broadcast on Wednesday 12th May at 9pm on the National Geographic Channel UK.
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