 An 1846 review in "The Gentleman's Magazine" on the "History of the Great Western Railway" starts explaining in general, that "[t]he history and illustration of the great railways of the present day is a fertile theme, and one which cannot fail to excite interest, not merely amongst the individuals immediately connected with them, but with the public generally, and men of science and philosophers particularly.What were only a few years back matters of speculation and mystery are now familiarly recognized by the great mass of the reading public.In the Great Western Line many railway novelties and improvements have been effected, at once astonishing and confusing those who predicted their utter failure.