The previous display by the Museum at Windsor Library was

Brunel in the Royal Borough

This exhibition has now closed, to find out about our current display click here.

In the bicentennial year of his birth, much has been written about Isambard Kingdom Brunel although less has been said about his connection with the Royal Borough. His elegant elliptical arch bridge at Maidenhead built to carry the broad gauge Great Western Railway over the Thames, and still in use today, is one of his much admired structures along the length of the line between London and Bristol. Tucked away on the Windsor branch line as it passes over the river into the Central Station is another bridge also worthy of note. It played its part in the ‘railway race to Windsor’ when the Great Western and South Western companies vied to be the first to reach the town in 1849. Brunel’s revolutionary bow string design ensured a GW victory. Built of wrought iron it proved far superior to the cast iron Black Potts Bridge at Datchet on the South Western line, which failed as the first test train passed over it.

Another link to Windsor was Daniel Gooch’s purchase of Clewer Park in 1859, the year of Brunel’s death. Sir Daniel, as he became, was both chief engineer on the Great Western and personal friend of his mentor. Indeed he curbed some of the latter’s excessive zeal for outlandish schemes and ensured the Great Western maintained its reputation for excellence throughout his lifetime and beyond. An interesting historical note was the existence, right up to the 1970s, of a single direct train from Windsor to Paddington just after 8.00 in the morning. This had been introduced well over 100 years before to carry Gooch to his London headquarters, remaining on the timetable until, on introduction of high speed trains, British Rail deemed it no longer viable.

The museum has a wide range of material relating to Brunel, the Great Western Railway and Sir Daniel Gooch. Some of this, including pictures of both bridges and some technical drawings associated with them, is currently on display in Windsor Library. Other pictures, photos and some artefacts can are held at the museum depot in Tinkers Lane. These can be accessed by appointment with the Heritage Development Officer.

Two books are also available for reference: Crown College & Railways by Raymond South which gives a very interesting account of the arrival of the railways in both Slough and Windsor, and Sir Daniel Gooch - Memoirs and Diary. The latter gives a fascinating insight into the life of a Victorian engineer.

Windsor Library can be accessed from Bachelors Acre. The opening hours are:

• Monday 9.30 - 5.00
• Tuesday 9.30 - 8.00
• Wednesday 2.00– 5.00
• Thursday 9.30 - 5.00
• Friday 9.30 - 7.00
• Saturday 9.30 - 3.00

Admission Free