CHAPTER III.

_EARLY HISTORY OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY._

A.D. 1833--1835. ÆTATIS 27--30.

Sketch of the History of Railways in England prior to 1833--The Stockton and Darlington--The Liverpool and Manchester--The London and Birmingham--Proposed Railway between London and Bristol--Mr. Brunel appointed Engineer, March 7, 1833--Survey of the Line--Unsuccessful Application to Parliament in 1834--Successful Application in 1835--Reminiscences of Mr. Brunel, 1833-1835--Extract from Mr. Brunel’s Diary, written at the close of 1835.....61