Victoria's Railway King

Edward Watkin was a prominent figure in 19th-century Britain, renowned for his extensive railway projects and his influence on both social and economic initiatives. As chairman of nine British railway companies, Watkin also developed railways in Canada, the USA, Greece, India, and the Belgian Congo. His leadership roles included senior positions with major British railways like the London and North Western Railway and the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, and he was president of the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada. One of his most ambitious projects was the creation of the Great Central Main Line, a high-speed rail link from Manchester to London, part of his broader vision to connect Manchester to Paris and India via a Channel tunnel. He initiated work on the tunnel in 1880, but it was abandoned due to security concerns. Watkin also developed Wembley Park into a popular destination for Londoners, which later became home to Wembley Stadium. Additionally, he proposed a ‘Great Tower in London’ to surpass the Eiffel Tower, though it was never completed. Through his personal diaries, the author explores Watkin’s lesser-known private life, offering a deeper understanding of this remarkable and visionary individual.