Bradshaw's railway companion

The cartographer and engraver, George Bradshaw produced his first railway timetable in October 1839. This, his third version, printed in February 1840 was published before all railway companies adopted observance of Greenwich Mean Time in November 1840 which brought an end to variations in local time and enabled the implementation of strict timetables.
Bradshaw's companion was updated and republished multiple times to reflect the building and opening of new railways. The companion of 8 pages in 1840 grew to 948 pages by 1898 and included descriptions of towns along railway routes, alongside the maps and timetables. They were traditional sold in yellow wrapping paper.
Bradshaws soon gained a reputation for producing complex railway statistics that passengers found almost impossible to follow. Critics suggested that learning to read a Bradshaw should become part of the school curriculum.
However by 1865 the value of the timetables was acknowledged by Punch magazine who praised Bradshaw wiith the claim 'seldom has the gigantic intellect of man been employed upon a work of greater utility.'
Although Bradshaw died in 1853 the name 'Bradshaw' remained in use on published railway timetables for both the UK and Europe until the early 20th century.