The elder Brunel was habitually absent in society, but no man was more
remarkable for presence of mind in an emergency. Numerous instances are
recorded of this latter quality, but none more striking than that of his
adventure in the act of inspecting the Birmingham Railway. Suddenly in a
confined part of the road a train was seen approaching from either end of
the line, and at a speed which it was difficult to calculate. The
spectators were horrified; there was not an instant to be lost; but an
instant sufficed to the experienced engineer to determine the safest
course under the circumstances. Without attempting to cross the road,
which would have been almost certain destruction, he at once took his
position exactly midway between the up and down lines, and drawing the
skirts of his coat close around him, allowed the two trains to sweep past
him; when to the great relief of those who witnessed the exciting scene,
he was found untouched upon the road. Without the engineer’s experience
which enabled him to form so rapid a decision, there can be no doubt that
he must have perished.
—_The Temple Anecdotes_.