Opening of the South Devon Railway

On July 26, 1847, the South Devon Railway inaugurated service between Exeter St. Thomas and Teignmouth, marking a key expansion of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's broad gauge empire. The 15-mile coastal route featured challenging engineering including sea walls and viaducts to navigate the rugged Devon shoreline. Powered initially by atmospheric traction experiments alongside conventional steam locomotives like the 4-2-2 'Iron Duke' class, the line connected rural communities to the growing national network. This development boosted tourism and fishing industries while demonstrating Brunel's innovative yet ultimately short-lived atmospheric system. Its integration into the Great Western Railway in 1876 solidified broad gauge influence until the 1892 conversion to standard gauge.