Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

CONVERSION OF GAUGE OF G.W.R. MAIN LINE. Ill FACSIMILE LETTER TO PERSONS ENGAGED IN CONVER- SION OF GAUGE. in Devonshire the last through trains in each direction met, and the curious spectacle was wit- nessed of passengers joining hands to the accom- paniment of the strains of “ Auld Lang Syne.” The last broad gauge train to pass between Exeter and Plymouth left the former city at 10.25 p.m., and as this section was largely double track, it was arranged to hand over the “ down ” line at once for conversion. To effect this, officials travelled with the train, their duty being to deliver to each, stationmaster a certificate The Signal to commence Work. that it was the last train to pass westward. In turn, the station officials gave written per- mission to representatives of the engineering department that the work of altering the “ down ” line might be commenced. The final “ up ” train left Penzance at 9.10 p.m. It consisted of the vehicles forming the “ down ” “ Cornishman,” and called at all stations to once independent lines. Concurrently with the withdrawal of broad gauge equipment, a supply of narrow gauge engines and vehicles was being concentrated at Exeter and Ply- mouth, the latter place being reached over the metals of the London and South-Western Railway. Indeed, a few narrow gauge vehicles were even conveyed on broad gauge trucks to remote parts of West Cornwall, in readiness for the recommencement of traffic. In due course the last day of broad gauge working arrived, and amid many sighs of regret from the crowds that assembled along the route, the “ Cornishman,” the 10.15 a.m. from Padding- ton, made the last broad gauge Broad Gauge. trip Penzance. It was drawn by the famous single- wheel engine “ Great Britain,” and at hun- dreds of points on the line men, women, and children placed coins of the realm on the railway metals, the flattened discs being preserved as mementos of the broad gauge. At one station The Last Day Exeter, reaching that place at 4 a.m. on May 21. Its passing was the signal that the line was no longer needed for traffic purposes, and it will be of historic interest to quote the official regulation regarding it. From a copy still pre- The Last “ Up ” Broad Gauge Train. served we extract this passage : “ Inspector Scantlebury must travel by this train, and he Great lUlestcrn IRailwa?. COPY of a MINUTE of the MEETING of the BOARD of DIRECTORS held at the PADDINGTON STATION, on the 2nd of June, 1892. 'J'HE Chairman reported that the Conversion to the Narrow Gauge of the Broad Gauge Lines of (he Company, West of Exeter. 165 milej in length, had been satisfactorily carried oat on Saturday and Sunday, the 2 island und ultimo, within the time appointed for the purpose and without accident. A memorandum prepared by the General Manager containing detailed information as to the mode in which the work hid been performed was also submitted. In receiving the report of this operation, which has effected the entire discontinuance of (he use o( the Bread ,iuge on the Company’s System, the Directors desire to place on record their satisfaction at the successful manner in which the work has been accomplished, and their appreciation of the zeal and ability displayed by the General anager. the Locomotive and Carriage Superintendent, the Chief Engineer, the Divisional, Signal and Electrical Engineers, the Storekeeper, the Superintendent of the Line, the Chief Goods Manager, the Divisional Superintendents and District Goods Managers, and every other Officer and Member of the Staff engaged therein. The Directors consider that rauch credit is due to all the Ofiicers concerned for the careful preparation« »nd ‘ e perfect organization which led to so successful a result, and that every Member of the Staff of the Company, from t»e highest to the lowest employed on the work, is .10 be highly commended (or (he hearty and zealous manner in which he performed the duties allotted to him. Identified as the Great Western Company has been with the Broad Gauge from the opening of the First etion of the Line in 1837 to the present time, and deriving from it much advantage, the Board came 10 the conclusion, with great regret, that the time had arrived when the running of Broad Gauge Trains could no longer be continued with benefit to the Company and advantage to the Public, and it is a matter of gratification to the Directors ‘ »at the alteration, which the force of circumstances had rendered inevitable, should have been effected in so speedy 4 manner, without accident, and with the minimum of inconvenience to the Public. n G. K. MILLS, . — Secretary. facsimile of card distributed among employees. c