Brunel and the Great Western Railway
Date: 10:30 5th April 2025
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is probably our most famous resident. To celebrate his 218th birthday, we will have a special event: a talk and book signing by Tim Bryan and a guided walk.
11.00 – 12.00 - Iron Stone & Steam: Brunel's Railway Empire – a talk by Tim Bryan
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a Victorian icon, engineer, artist, architect, designer and visionary, entrepreneur and celebrity whose astounding feats changed the British landscape. Tim Bryan's talk tells the story of Brunel's awe-inspiring achievements and innovations as a railway engineer and chronicles how, in almost thirty tumultuous years, Brunel created a railway network covering much of the South and West of England, the Midlands and Wales.
Tim Bryan is Director of the Brunel Institute at the SS Great Britain and the paperback edition of his book 'Iron Stone & Steam: Brunel's Railway Empire' was published in April 2023. There will be an opportunity to purchase the book and have it signed by the author.
12.00 – 13.00 – A buffet lunch
13.00 - 15.00. Railway History at Kensal Green: a guided tour
We will visit the graves of other railway engineers and promoters buried here, telling the story of the development of the GWR which runs just south of the cemetery. The tour will be conducted by John Haines, military history expert and Kensal Green tour guide.
After the tour there will be time for questions and hot refreshments.
Look out for people in period costumes for perfect photo opportunities!
"Perfect Circle"
As part of our Brunel celebration day in April when we mark Railway200, our secretary and trustee, Nicki Dixon, a Brunel admirer, will be displaying her hand-created one twelfth scale Brunel exhibition.
Entitled “Perfect Circle” the miniature display pays tribute to the great man and his creations.
It is named after one of Nicki’s favourite stories about her hero, when he promised to build a railway so smooth that he would be able to travel on it and draw a perfect circle at the same time (he could draw a perfect circle from the age of four).
The display is currently under construction, but the walls are up! It will feature tiny display boards detailing his work such as his double-arch bridge at Maidenhead, Bristol Temple Meads station, Paddington Station, his three great ships and the disaster that was the Atmospheric Railway.
Railway 200 at Kensal Green Cemetery
In 2025 Railway 200 celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. It showcases the role of rail in shaping Britain and the world and aims to inspire the next generation of pioneering talent to choose a career in rail, as the industry delivers a simpler, better railway for everyone. Railway 200 will be a year-long campaign in 2025 of events, activities and other initiatives, delivered by a host of people and organisations around the UK. Jump onboard and get involved!
On 27 September 1825 George Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1 hauled the world’s first steam-powered passenger train along the Stockton and Darlington railway; a distance of 26 miles. This historic event, celebrated with great fanfare, is generally regarded as the start of the modern railway (more information: https://railway200.co.uk/)
Other Events
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Date: 18:30 23rd January 2025
Synopsis
Discover the highlights of the Willesden Jewish CemeteryJoseph Locke and others - a Tour of Kensal Green Cemetery
Date: 14:00 9th August 2025