Francis Webb Wentworth-Sheilds (born Sheilds; 8 October 1820 – 18 January 1906)[3] was an Anglo-Irish civil engineer on the Sydney Railway Company during its construction but before its opening.

His replacement, Scotsman James Wallace, recommended that the track gauge be changed to the 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm), and the New South Wales government concurred.

However, the construction of 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) broad gauge lines had already started in Victoria and South Australia, and the necessary rolling stock had been ordered.

To add to the predicament, most other Australian colonies, including parts of South Australia, later adopted the cheaper narrow gauge of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm).

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