Abstract
Isambard Kingdom Brunel (IKB, 1806-1859) dedicated his creative skill to the railway construction between London and Bristol for the Great Western Railway (GWR) from 1830s. He developed a new railway system, which is mainly characterized by the broad gauge of 7ft0.25in (2.14m). The broad gauge was adopted to improve the functions of railway in that time, 'speed, stability, and capacity'. Because the narrower gauge of 4ft8.5in (1.44m) was spreading over the northern and southeastern areas in Britain by Stephenson, the conflict between two gauges happened. The government established a committee for decision of one national standard gauge in 1845. Although the Brunel's broad gauge was superior the performance, the Stephenson's narrower gage was decided as the standard gauge. This paper summarized the stories on the broad gauge in the GWR and the battle of two railway gauges.
