210 



REPORT — 1841. 



Transverse sections of the engine and the coaches are given in figs. 2 

 and 3. Plate I. 



The general results of these experiments are here shown in juxtaposition : — ■ 



It is evident from these results, independently of other experiments which 

 will be presently stated, that the form of the front, whether flat or sharp, has 

 no observable effect on the resistance; and that whether the engine and 

 tender be in front, or two carriages of the same weight, the motion of the 

 train and the resistance to its motion will be exactly the same. 



The form of a boat or beak having been given to some of the engines on 

 one of the lines of railway, and the advantages attending such a form in 

 diminishing the resistance having much insisted on, it was determined to 

 ascertain its effect by direct experiment. 



For this purpose a sharp end was constructed to be attached in front of 

 the foremost carriage, consisting of two boards equal in height to the body 

 of the carriage, and which being attached to each corner, were united in 

 front at an angle, the vertex of the angle being five feet six inches before 

 the flat front of the carriage, and the base of the angle being six feet six 

 inches, corresponding with the width of the carriage. Thus, instead of pre- 

 senting a flat surface to the air, the carriage having this apparatus attached 

 would present a wedge to it, which would have the effect of a cut-air. 



This contrivance was first tried with a single coach, which, having it 

 attached in front, was moved as before down the Sutton Plane ; and the cir- 

 cumstances of the motion having been observed and recorded, the wedge 

 was removed, and the coach again moved down the plane with its flat end 

 presented to the air. The following are the results of these experi- 

 ments : — 



This result shows that the form of the front produced no effect on the 

 resistance. 



It was determined to remove all possible doubt on this point by varying 

 the circumstances of the experiment. A train of eight coaches was accord- 

 ingly prepared and brought to the series of inclined planes at Madeley on the 

 Grand Junction Railway, the section and curves of which have been de- 

 scribed in the fii'st part of this Report. This train was first moved down the 



