Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Paddington
The last broad gauge train leaving Paddington Station, 20th May 1892
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from STEAM Museum
The last broad gauge train leaving Paddington Station, 20th May 1892
A posed image of the last broad gauge train leaving Paddington station on 20th May 1892. The service is the 5pm to Plymouth, and the locomotive is Bulkeley (named after Captain Bulkeley, a director of the railway)
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Media ID 14616815
© STEAM Museum of the GWR
1890s Broad Gauge London Paddington Paddington Station Station 1892 Bulkeley
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Paddington
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Transport
> Stations
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Transport
> Steam Trains
> STEAM Museum of the GWR
> Favourites
> STEAM Museum of the GWR
> Locomotives
> Steam
> Broad Gauge
> Broad Gauge Locomotives in Action
> STEAM Museum of the GWR
> Locomotives
> Steam
> Broad Gauge
> Other Broad Gauge Locomotives
> STEAM Museum of the GWR
> Stations and Halts
> London Stations
> Paddington Station
> Transportation
> Trains
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the historic moment as the last Broad Gauge train departed from Paddington Station in London on 20th May 1892. The Broad Gauge system, with its wider rails than the Standard Gauge that would eventually replace it, had been in use since the Great Western Railway (GWR) was founded in 1835. The era of Broad Gauge trains was coming to an end, making way for the more efficient and standardized system. In this scene, the 5pm service to Plymouth is making its final journey from Paddington Station. The locomotive at the helm is Bulkeley, named after Captain Bulkeley, a esteemed director of the railway. Bulkeley, a powerful and imposing Broad Gauge engine, was built in 1857 and had seen many miles of service during the 1860s and 1870s. Its presence here, in the twilight of the Broad Gauge era, serves as a poignant reminder of the past. The 1890s were a time of great change in the railway industry, as the Standard Gauge system was becoming increasingly dominant. The last Broad Gauge train marked the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new one. The steam age was far from over, but the landscape of railway travel was shifting, and this photograph offers a unique glimpse into that transition. This image, taken at Paddington Station in London, is a testament to the rich history of the railway and the role that Broad Gauge trains played in shaping it. Today, it is preserved at the Steam Museum of the GWR, where it continues to inspire and educate visitors about the fascinating story of the railway and its evolution over time.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.