Return to Railways
Brunel originally placed both up and down platforms on the same side of the line, in separate 'stations', with the idea that this would assist luggage-handling and prevent passengers boarding the wrong train. But this involved up trains blocking the down track, and as traffic increased it inevitably proved highly inconvenient. In 1868 the station was rebuilt with the up platform opposte the down.
The comparative width of the Grand Western and the Bridgwater & Taunton canals was due to the former taking only 26' x 6½ tub-boats, while the latter was built for 54'x 13' barges.
Return to Railways