CHAP. XV. LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM LINE PROJECTED. 301 



CHAPTEK XV. 



EGBERT STEPHENSON CONSTRUCTS THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM 



RAILWAY. 



OF the numerous extensive projects which followed close 

 upon the completion of the Liverpool and Manchester 

 line, and the locomotive triumph at Rainhill, that of 

 a railway between London and Birmingham was the 

 must important. The scheme originated at the latter 

 place in 1830. Two committees were formed,- and two 

 plans were proposed. One was of .a line to London by 

 way of Oxford, and the other by way of Coventry. 

 There was at that early period less of the fighting spirit 

 amongst railway projectors which unhappily, prevailed 

 at a later date. The simple object of the promoters of 

 both schemes being" to secure the advantages of .railway 

 communication with the metropolis, they .wisely deter- 

 mined to combine their strength to secure it. They 

 then, resolved to call George Stephenson to their aid, 

 and requested him to advise them as to the two schemes 

 which were before them. After a careful examination 

 of the country, Mr. Stephenson reported in favour of 

 the Coventry route, when the Lancashire gentlemen, 

 who were the principal subscribers to the project, having 

 every confidence in his judgment, supported his deci- 

 sion, and the line recommended by him was adopted 

 accordingly. 



At the meeting of the promoters held at Birmingham 

 to determine on the appointment of the engineer for the 

 railway, there was a strong party in favour of associating 

 with Mr. Stephenson a gentleman with whom he had 

 been brought into serious collision in the course of the 



