Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which railway system did Brunel advocate for in South Devon?
Which railway system did Brunel advocate for in South Devon?
- Steam-powered railway
- Electric railway
- Magnetic railway
- Atmospheric railway (correct)
What was the main advantage of the atmospheric railway according to Brunel?
What was the main advantage of the atmospheric railway according to Brunel?
- Faster travel speed
- Lower construction cost
- Ability to handle steeper gradients (correct)
- Increased passenger capacity
Why did the atmospheric railway system fail?
Why did the atmospheric railway system fail?
- Insufficient funding
- Inefficient operation
- Lack of public interest
- Inadequate materials for construction (correct)
How long did the atmospheric railway system operate before it was abandoned?
How long did the atmospheric railway system operate before it was abandoned?
What did Brunel do after admitting the failure of the atmospheric railway system?
What did Brunel do after admitting the failure of the atmospheric railway system?
Peter Hay quotes from Nicholson’s British Encyclopaedia of 1909 as follows: ‘Engineers are extremely necessary for these purposes; wherefore it is requisite that, besides being ingenious, they should be ______ in proportion.’
Peter Hay quotes from Nicholson’s British Encyclopaedia of 1909 as follows: ‘Engineers are extremely necessary for these purposes; wherefore it is requisite that, besides being ingenious, they should be ______ in proportion.’
His father, Sir Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849), was himself a famous engineer, of ______ parents.
His father, Sir Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849), was himself a famous engineer, of ______ parents.
He eventually settled in Britain and married the Sophia Kingdom, an ______ woman whom he had known in France in earlier days.
He eventually settled in Britain and married the Sophia Kingdom, an ______ woman whom he had known in France in earlier days.
Their only son Isambard was born on 9 April ______.
Their only son Isambard was born on 9 April ______.
He was sent to France at the age of 14 to study mathematics and science and was 16 when he returned to England to work with his father. Sir Marc was then building his famous tunnel under the River ______.
He was sent to France at the age of 14 to study mathematics and science and was 16 when he returned to England to work with his father. Sir Marc was then building his famous tunnel under the River ______.
