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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 3 (July 2, 1928)

[section]

The birth of mechanical transport dates back to the beginning of the nineteenth century. The railway (although its inventor is unknown), is much older than the steam locomotive. As in the case of the wheel, the idea of the railway may have had its genesis in many minds.

We know that during the time of Cromwell a wooden line (running from the collieries to the river Tyne, in New Castle) was in existence. [The Collieries as a matter of fact hold the honour of bringing our railways and locomotives into being]. Wooden tracks, however, were not generally substituted for stone ones until 1789.

Another advance dates from the time when Jessop cast wagon wheels with flanged tyres to enable them to run on raised-edged rails. Further steps in the development of the railway were made by Outram (to whom we owe the name tram), in 1800. As a result of the labours of this early pioneer, tram lines sprang up all over the North of England. It seems strange, however, that no one thought of employing the tram car as a substitute for the stage-coach until after the introduction of the locomotive.

The above model locomotive was built by Mr. L. S. Murray, of Wellington, and is to be shown at the coming Winter Show in the Capital City. The model is 6ft. long, 15in. high, the bore of cylinders is 1 1/2in., stroke 2in, and working pressure 901bs. It is also fitted with Walschaert valve gear.

The above model locomotive was built by Mr. L. S. Murray, of Wellington, and is to be shown at the coming Winter Show in the Capital City. The model is 6ft. long, 15in. high, the bore of cylinders is 1 1/2in., stroke 2in, and working pressure 901bs. It is also fitted with Walschaert valve gear.

In 1801 the Survey Railway was opened at Croydon. The line proved a great success because the smooth rails enabled the horses to haul twice the load hauled hitherto. This was the condition of rail transport (except for a few stationary haulage engines at some of the larger collieries), at the time the locomotive made it appearance.

The first steam propelled carriage was constructed by Nicholas Cugnot, a Lorraine soldier and mechanic. This carriage was tried out in 1769. It carried four passengers and travelled at 2 1/4 miles per hour.

Cugnot tried another machine in 1770, but after a few runs his model came into contact with a street corner and the unfortunate Frenchman was locked up, carriage and all. He was given his freedom later and granted a pension by the French Government. (One of his early engines is still to be seen in Paris.)

Although James Watt patented a locomotive in 1784, the first steam propelled carriage to be constructed in Britain was by William Murdoch (a Scotsman), at Redruth, Cornwall, in 1781. (Murdoch may be more familiarly known in connection with his experiments with coal gas for illuminating purposes.) He was “a lad o’ pairts” and a mechanical genius. Had it not been for the influence of his brother Scot, Watt, Murdoch would have had a larger share in the initial stages of the locomotive. Murdoch built his locomotive whilst acting as assistant to Boulton and Watt at Birmingham. Watt took a great dislike to self-propelled carriages and no doubt through his influence Murdoch turned his mind to other branches of engineering. Murdoch's locomotive was a small page 43 model, being fourteen inches high by nineteen inches long, and seven inches wide. It had a copper boiler with fire box and flue, and one double acting cylinder. Steam was raised with a spirit lamp. This engine is at present in the possession of Sir Lincoln Tangye. In 1799 Murdoch invented the slide valve and eccentric, an invention that soon enabled the steam engine to revolutionise the world.

Amongst those who saw Murdoch's engine was Richard Trevithick, a pupil of the Scotsman. In 1802 Trevithick patented an engine of a similar design.

The evolution of the locomotive proper started when it found itself on wheels to which the energy of steam could be imparted to make them revolve.

In 1804 Trevithick put the locomotive on rails. The engine in question (of his own design), was all cogwheels on one side and a flywheel on the other. It was adapted to run on smooth rails, depending on its own weight to get the “grip” of the rails as in modern practice. Blenkinsop, in 1811, made a more powerful machine, the wheels of which, however, were cogged, and united with a rack rail to propel the machine along.

(To be continued.)

Opening of Railway to Roxburgh. The Hon. F. J. Rolleston addressing the gathering. (The Hon. Sir James Allen, M.L.C., is seen sitting on the extreme right of the speaker)

Opening of Railway to Roxburgh.
The Hon. F. J. Rolleston addressing the gathering. (The Hon. Sir James Allen, M.L.C., is seen sitting on the extreme right of the speaker)