Claim: The Great Southern and Western Railway (largest of Ireland's "Big Four" railway networks) was an Irish track gauge (1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)) railway company with a length of 1,100 miles (1,800 km) from 1844 until December 31, 1924.
Evidence: The GS&WR grew by building lines and making a series of takeovers, until in the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was the largest of Ireland's "Big Four" railway networks. The Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) was an Irish gauge (1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)) railway company in Ireland from 1844 until 1924. At its peak the GS&WR had an 1,100-mile (1,800 km) network, of which 240 miles (390 km) were double track. 1844–31 December 1924 
The GS&WR grew by building lines and making a series of takeovers, until in the late 19th and early 20th centuries it was the largest of Ireland's "Big Four" railway networks. 1,100 miles (1,800 km) 1844–31 December 1924 The Great Southern and Western Railway (GS&WR) was an Irish gauge (1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)) railway company in Ireland from 1844 until 1924.