GREENWICH RAILWAY. 93 



distance is a mile and three quarters, and the time occupied ingoing to 

 Greenwich, and back to the London Terminus, is exactly a quarter of 

 an hour. 



Mr. Herepath (no mean authority in these matters), although originally 

 opposed to the design, thus pithily describes the Railway, in what has 

 been aptly called his amende honorable to the Company ; " The 

 prevailing character of the work may be summed up in uniform neatness 

 and strength without heaviness." The locomotive engines on this Railway 

 are upon an entirely new construction ; the frames are so formed that 

 the wheels cannot deviate from the rails at any speed, and their revolv- 

 ing motion can be instantly changed to a sliding motion; thus the trains 

 being powerfully retarded by friction, are speedily brought to rest and 

 the risk of accident to the passengers is very materially diminished. 



The trains start from each station every twenty minutes. An incident 

 is said to have occurred (worth recording), upon an early trio, by Mr. 

 I. Y. Akerman, the Secretary, and some of the Directors, in trying the 

 Engines from Bermondsey Lane to Deptford, and back. On their 

 return a splendid rainbow spread a vivid arch from one end of the road 

 to the other, and such was the cheering effects on their minds, that to 

 commemorate so auspicious a circumstance, the Company adopted the 

 sign on one of their banners (when the railway was first opened), with 

 the motto, in hoc signo mnces (in this sign is victory). 



The undertaking has been eminently successful ; and is now also the 

 London Terminus of the Croydon Railway, to which it is joined at 

 New Cross; and it will be the outlet for the Dover and Canterbury 

 Brighton, and other railways, when completed. As we have before 

 said, it is intended to build shops and dwelling houses under the 

 arches. At the Deptford end there are two neat dwelling houses already 

 tenanted, which may be considered as specimens. These houses 

 contain six rooms each, and, though small, appear to be very comfortable. 

 The passing of the trains over is said to be only like the noise resembling 

 thunder, but from the rapidity of the motion is away in an instant- 

 others describe it as that of a heavy waggon, but not in a greater 

 degree disturbing the tenants than the passing of waggons in a crowded 

 street of London. The noise is less than maybe supposed, in consequence 

 of the solidity of the arches, and the smoothness of the railway which 

 materially decrease the vibration. 



