Paddington Station

Brunel's proposed Great Western route placed the London terminus at Paddington beside existing canal transport links.

The Great Western Railway Act enabled construction of the line from its London terminus toward Bristol.

Contractors developed cuttings bridges and track formation for the western railway approaches to Paddington.

Facilities were built to allow the Great Western Railway to start passenger services before a permanent terminus existed.

The temporary terminus served trains built to Brunel's unusually wide railway gauge.

Designs an early iron bridge across the Paddington Arm of the canal.

Brunel designed an iron bridge at the Paddington Arm as railway works crossed the canal network.

The first public Great Western services operated between Paddington and Maidenhead in June.

The first public section of the Great Western Railway opens between Paddington and Maidenhead.

The first temporary Great Western Railway terminus at Paddington opens for services between London and Maidenhead.

The Paddington-West Drayton link becomes an early commercial telegraph installation.

The completed Great Western line enabled a continuous railway journey between Chippenham and Paddington.

Brunel prepared a scheme for replacing the temporary terminus with a monumental iron roofed passenger station.

Brunel presents preliminary plans for rebuilding Paddington as a grand permanent railway terminus.

The new station's broad train shed incorporated extensive wrought iron supports and glazed roof areas.

Brunel designs the permanent station with architectural detailing undertaken by Matthew Digby Wyatt.

The Great Western Railway approves Brunel's plans for a grand permanent terminus at Paddington.

Brunel's permanent station began handling railway services as work on its great roof continued.

The first Great Western Railway service departs from Brunel's new Paddington Station before completion of the roof.

Brunel's permanent Paddington Station formally opens with a three-span wrought-iron and glazed train shed.