Great Western Railway Electrification

On June 27, 1925, the Great Western Railway inaugurated electric multiple-unit services from London Paddington to suburban destinations, marking a shift from steam. Using 600V DC third-rail technology, the project addressed growing commuter demand and smoke pollution. Engineers like Charles Collett oversaw the transition, which improved reliability and speed. This innovation influenced British rail modernization and set precedents for later mainline electrification efforts across Europe.