South Devon Atmospheric Railway

Brunel's experimental vacuum-powered railway system

Photograph of the surviving South Devon atmospheric railway engine house at Torquay; it was never used for atmospheric traction
Photograph of the surviving South Devon atmospheric railway engine house at Torquay; it was never used for atmospheric traction — Image: Wikimedia Commons source and licence

Historical chronology

4 matching records from the updated 653-record Brunel dataset.

1845 — Atmospheric Pumping Machinery Contracted

Contracts are placed for stationary engines and equipment needed to operate Brunel's atmospheric railway system.

Brunel, Isambard Kingdom · Devon
1847, September 13th — Atmospheric Railway

Brunel's atmospheric railway opens to Teignmouth using stationary engines and vacuum pipes for propulsion.

Brunel, Isambard Kingdom · Teignmouth
1848, January 10th — Atmospheric Railway

Atmospheric railway services reach Newton Abbot as Brunel continues testing the experimental system.

Brunel, Isambard Kingdom · Newton Abbot
1848, September 10th — Atmospheric Railway

The atmospheric railway closes after persistent leakage and high maintenance costs make it impractical.

Brunel, Isambard Kingdom · Devon

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