GWR route availability

[eMeS]

Hope this is in the right area.

Why was the GWR so limited in route availability for large passenger locos, 4-6-2s, compared to the other main companies? Does it go back to having had a wide gauge over which the load could be spread?

Curious - thanks

 

[Schnellzug]

Well, they started out as broad gauage, so when they converted to standard gauge they had more room in stations, etc, so they could build things on a slightly bigger scale, basically, I suppose. They could build rolling stock that was a bit wider. In the old days it was no problem, since the track was designed to accept GW stock, but now bridges and platforms have been reconstructed and track reballasted, so it eats into the clearances that there once were.