CHAP. IX. THE LINE RE-SURVEYED. 157 



made before the work could be begun, as it is impossible 

 to form any idea of contracting for the cuts and batteries 

 by the former one ; and I assure you I shall, in com- 

 pleting the undertaking, act with that economy which 

 would influence me if the whole of the work was my 

 own." 



About the end of September Mr. Stephenson again 

 went carefully over the line of the proposed railway, for 

 the purpose of suggesting such improvements and devi- 

 ations as he might consider desirable. He was accom- 

 panied by an assistant and a chainman, his son Robert 

 entering the figures while his father took the sights. 

 After being engaged in the work at intervals for 

 about six weeks, Stephenson reported the result of his 

 survey to the Board of Directors, and showed that by 

 certain deviations, a line shorter by about three miles 

 might be constructed at a considerable saving in expense, 

 while at the same time more favourable gradients an 

 important consideration would be secured. 



The directors of the company, being satisfied that the 

 improvements suggested in the line, and the saving 

 which would be effected in mileage and in money, 

 fully warranted them in incurring the trouble, delay, 

 and expense of making a further application to Parlia- 

 ment for an amended Act, took the requisite steps with 

 this object. And in the mean time they directed Mr. 

 Stephenson to prepare the specifications for the rails 

 and chairs, and make arrangements to enter into con- 

 tracts for the supply of the stone and wooden blocks on 

 which the rails and chairs were to be laid. It was 

 determined in the first place to proceed with the works 

 at those parts of the line where no deviation was pro- 

 posed ; and the first rail of the Stockton and Darlington 

 Railway was laid with considerable ceremony, by Thomas 

 Meynell, Esq., of Yarm, at a point near St. John's Well, 

 Stockton, on the 23rd of May, 1822. 



It is worthy of note that Stephenson, in making 



