Bradshaw's Railway Guide

Bradshaw's Railway Guide, the pioneer of its class, derives its name from George Bradshaw (1801-53), originally a map-engraver in Manchester, who on 19th October 1839 commenced the issue of an occasional work, called Bradshaw's Railway Time-tables (a name changed in 1840 to Railway Companion), which was corrected by a monthly time-sheet. This sheet was frequently delayed to the 5th or 6th of the month, and was subject to changes made by the Companies, perhaps in the middle, or even the latter end of the month. By great efforts, the railway companies were induced to consent to adjust their tables, once for all, for the beginning of each month; and the first number of the monthly Railway Guide was brought out in December 1841, though the Companion survived till 1845. The second number of the Guide, published '1st month (January) 1842,' runs to 32 pages, and contains 42 or 43 lines of railway, in England only, without any advertisements (T. Madan in Athenæum, 24th December 1887). The Guide now extends to upwards of 450 pages, and gives copious information regarding all lines in the three kingdoms, besides much about steamboats and coaches, with advertisements. Its plan has been imitated at home and abroad. In 1847 the first number of Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide was issued, which, in addition to the tables, contains a large quantity of topographical information. A series of handbooks was also issued by Mr Bradshaw. See an article in the Cornhill for April 1888.