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Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the Great Western Railway

Study note

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was one of the greatest engineers of the Victorian age. Born in Portsmouth, he had an extraordinary range of work to his name, building tunnels, bridges, railway lines and even ships. When asked what he was responsible for, the two things to pick are bridges and tunnels and the Great Western Railway, not the NHS or the Union Flag.

His most famous project was the Great Western Railway, the first major railway in Britain. It ran from London out to the south west of England, the West Midlands and Wales, linking the capital with the western parts of the country. Brunel is the engineer to remember for the Great Western Railway, distinct from the Stephensons who pioneered the railway engine itself.

Memory tip: Brunel built bridges, tunnels, ships and the Great Western Railway from London westward.

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Question 1 of 2

Which Victorian engineer built the Great Western Railway?

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Show all questions and answers for Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the Great Western Railway(2 questions with explanations)

Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the Great Western Railway: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Which Victorian engineer built the Great Western Railway?

    • Sir Frank Whittle
    • Sir Robert Walpole
    • George Stephenson
    • Isambard Kingdom Brunel

    Correct answer: Isambard Kingdom Brunel

    Isambard Kingdom Brunel built the Great Western Railway.

  2. 2. Select TWO things that Isambard Kingdom Brunel was responsible for building.

    • The Union Flag
    • The Great Western Railway
    • Bridges and tunnels
    • The NHS

    Correct answer: The Great Western Railway and Bridges and tunnels

    Brunel built bridges and tunnels and was responsible for the Great Western Railway.

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