Steam was the first source of motive power in the far west, and by the time it reached Penzance, it was quite sophisticated – with the experimental trials of Richard Trevithick far into the background. These pictures are from the second era – the “narrow” or “standard” gauge of 4 feet 8 1/⁄2 inches between the tracks – after the GWR “broad gauge” of 7 feet that was previously laid was determined non-standard, and the narrower dimensions generally adapted throughout the country.
The Eric Curnow Collection 