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Ventilation shaft in Kilsby Tunnel, Northamptonshire, London & Birmingham Railway, 1839. Artist: John Cooke Bourne
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Ventilation shaft in Kilsby Tunnel, Northamptonshire, London & Birmingham Railway, 1839. Artist: John Cooke Bourne
Ventilation shaft in Kilsby Tunnel, Northamptonshire, London & Birmingham Railway, 1839. Robert Stephenson (1803-1859) was appointed chief engineer of the London & Birmingham Railway (LBR), the first railway into London. Running between Curzon Street Station, Birmingham, and Euston Station, London, the 112 mile long line took 20, 000 men nearly five years to build, at a cost of five and a half million pounds. The excavation of the tunnel at Kilsby, Northamptonshire was one of the greatest engineering challenges on the LBR, due to problems with quicksand. The LBR opened on 17 September 1838. From Drawings of the London and Birmingham Railway by J Bourne, 1839
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Media ID 14863943
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Bourne Civil Engineering Construction Industrial Revolution John Cooke Northamptonshire Oxford Science Archive Railway Track Railway Tunnel Robert Stephenson Shaft Stephenson Tunnel Underground Ventilation
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the remarkable engineering feat of the ventilation shaft in Kilsby Tunnel, part of the London & Birmingham Railway. Created by renowned artist John Cooke Bourne and with guidance from chief engineer Robert Stephenson, this image showcases a pivotal moment in transportation history. The construction of the London & Birmingham Railway was a monumental undertaking, employing an astounding 20,000 men over nearly five years. With a length spanning 112 miles and costing an impressive five and a half million pounds, it marked a significant milestone in the Industrial Revolution. The excavation of Kilsby Tunnel presented one of the most challenging aspects of this grand project due to treacherous quicksand conditions. However, through ingenuity and determination, engineers successfully conquered this obstacle. Opened on September 17th, 1838, the London & Birmingham Railway revolutionized transport between Curzon Street Station in Birmingham and Euston Station in London. This underground marvel not only transformed travel but also symbolized progress during the 19th century. Bourne's vibrant depiction brings to life both the technical brilliance involved in civil engineering as well as capturing a glimpse into transportation history. The vivid colors highlight every detail within this mesmerizing scene while paying homage to England's rich heritage. With its intricate railway tracks disappearing into darkness and architectural elements like ventilation shafts standing tall against time's passage, this print serves as a testament to human innovation that continues to shape our modern world today.
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