Great Western Railway

Map of the GWRGreat Western Railway network circa 1930

The Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) was a British railway company, founded in 1833. With a principal terminus at Paddington Station in London, it served the south-west and west of England, the Midlands, and most of Wales. At 'grouping' in 1923 it was the only one of the 'Big 4' to retain its original identity, the LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway, LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway and SRSouthern Railway being newly created by merger of other railway companies. The GWRGreat Western Railway eventually became the Western Region of British Railways under Nationalisation on 1 January 1948.

Although the original Severn Valley Railway Company built the line between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury, it was operated from opening in 1862 by the West Midland Railway. On 1 August 1863 the West Midland Railway was absorbed by the GWRGreat Western Railway. The "Severn Valley Railway" thus became the GWRGreat Western Railway’s "Severn Valley Branch".

The GWRGreat Western Railway were subsequently responsible for the construction of the Kidderminster Loop Line which opened in 1878. Also during the 19th century the GWRGreat Western Railway introduced signalling throughout the line and increased the number of stations having two platforms with the ability to pass trains. During the 20th century the company created a number of halts in an attempt to attract more local custom.

See also

• GWR Locomotives
• GWR Coaches
• GWR Wagons

Links

• Great Western Railway on Wikipedia
• The Great Western Archive