162 THE NEWCASTLE FOUNDRY PEOJECTED. CHAP. IX. 



he would sometimes, in a casual remark, throw a flash 

 of light upon a subject,, which called up a whole train of 

 pregnant suggestions. 



One of the most important subjects of discussion at 

 these meetings with Mr. Pease, was the establishment of 

 a manufactory at Newcastle for the building of locomo- 

 tive engines. Up to this time all the locomotives con- 

 structed after Stephenson's designs, had been made by 

 ordinary mechanics working amongst the collieries in 

 the North of England. But he had long felt that the 

 accuracy and style of their workmanship admitted of 

 great improvement, and that upon this the more per- 

 fect action of the locomotive engine, and its general 

 adoption as the tractive power on railways, in a great 

 measure depended. One great object that he had in 

 view in establishing the proposed factory was, to concen- 

 trate a number of good workmen for the purpose of 

 carrying out the improvements in detail which he was 

 constantly making in his engine. He felt hampered 

 by the want of efficient helpers in the shape of skilled 

 mechanics, who could work out in a practical form the 

 ideas of which his busy mind was always so prolific. 

 Doubtless, too, he believed that the locomotive manufac- 

 tory would prove a remunerative investment, and that, 

 on the general adoption of the railway system, which he 

 now anticipated, he would derive solid advantages from 

 the fact of his manufactory being the only establishment 

 of the kind for the special construction of railway loco- 

 motives. 



He still believed in the eventual success of railways, 

 though it might be slow. Much, he believed, would 

 depend upon the issue of this great experiment at 

 Darlington ; and as Mr. Pease was a man on whose 

 sound judgment he could rely, he determined upon 

 consulting him about his proposed locomotive factory. 

 Mr. Pease approved of his design, and strongly recom- 

 mended him to carry it into effect. But there was the 



