112 On Railway Gradients. 



frequent repairs. If it were imperative upon Railway Companies 

 to have these heavy engines, I fully admit there would be every 

 reason in such argument : but when daily experience entirely 

 controverts this fallacy, little weight should be attached to it 

 The fact is patent to all who have thoroughly investigated the 

 question, that the rails on severe inclines, are but little more 

 subject to wear and tear than those on the most modern ascents. 



On a gradient of 1 in 50, two engines of 25 tons* and 29 

 tons* respectively, will draw as heavy a load as a single engine 

 of 54 tons.* They can be so constructed that one driver and 

 stoker can attend to both and have also this great advantage over 

 a single engine, that the weight of 54 tons* can be diffused over 

 twice as many wheels as the 54 ton* engine can possibly have. 

 In case of accident likewise, two engines are far safer ; one engine 

 being sufficient to control the train, should it be necessary from 

 accident, to return to the starting place. 



On the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway ; — the Lickey 

 incline, — a gradient of 1 in 37 ; two engines weighing respectively 

 35 and 32 tons, or together 67 tons, took up with ease a load of 

 240 tons at a speed of nearly 7 miles per hour ; and on the 

 Turin and Genoa Railway two engines of 25 tons, or together 50 

 tons, took a load of 100 tons, or inclusive of engines 150 tons, up 

 an incline of 1 in 36 for 6 miles at a uniform speed of 15 miles 

 per hour. 



In addition to instances bearing so directly on the economical 

 working of heavy grades, I am enabled to add the results of 

 experiments, undertaken on behalf of the East Lancashire Rail- 

 way Company by Mr. Perring. 



The Accrington Incline is 2 miles in length, composed of the 

 following heavy gradients : — 



1 in 40 1.125 



lin38 60 



1 in 47 275 



2. miles. 



The Report states the experiments were conducted with great 

 care, and extended over a period of three months during the most 

 inclement season of the year. 



As it would take much too lengthened a time to analyse each 



* Inclusive of tender. 



