Machinery at the Exhibition. 42 



o 



Powerful locomotives were found in the last, and they are 

 very numerous in the present Exhibition ; but they have 

 undergone very little change in the arrangement of their 

 details ; the chief innovation, perhaps, being the use of in- 

 jectors instead of feed-pumps. On the present occasion the 

 magnificent line of locomotives found in the western annex 

 presents a most imposing appearance. In connection with this 

 subject, we ought to notice the method adopted by the London 

 and North-Western Railway Company, for supplying the 

 tenders of quick trains with water without stoppage ; it is very 

 simple, and is fully illustrated by the model exhibited ; there 

 seems to be no reason why it should not be very generally 

 adopted. An excellent opportunity is afforded, on the present 

 occasion, of comparing the various kinds of engines as con- 

 structed by ourselves and by foreigners : and in making such a 

 comparison we cannot fail to be struck by certain novelties in 

 two Austrian locomotives. One of them, which has four cylin- 

 ders, is intended for high velocities ; it is supposed to secure 

 greater safety, and a more perfect freedom from the jumping 

 which arises from the necessarily imperfect balancing of parts, 

 by a more equal distribution of force on the crank-axle. 

 Whatever may be found to be the result of such an arrange- 

 ment in practice, the weight, complication, and expense of 

 construction and repair are seriously increased. The other 

 locomotive, which has ten coupled wheels, is intended for steep 

 inclines and sharp curves ; its weight is distributed more uni- 

 formly, on account of the number of wheels, and adhesion to 

 the rails is rendered more effective by all of them being- 

 coupled. To prevent strains, a certain amount of motion is 

 allowed to the axles at the boxes, and the coupling, from its 

 form, accommodates itself to the curvature of the 'line, being 

 lengthened at the outer and contracted at the inner side. 

 Whether this capability of self-adjustment is compatible with 

 firmness and strength, is a matter which may fairly be ques- 

 tioned. 



Machine-tools rank next in importance to the steam-en- 

 gine. All those we employ at present were in general use in 

 1851, though some of them have undergone modifications and 

 improvement ; and it may be affirmed that, during the past 

 eleven years, we have neither increased their number nor much 

 extended their usefulness; nevertheless, practical mechanics 

 and the constructive art have progressed during that period. 

 We cannot, it is true, point out any novelties in the strict 

 sense of the word. Our chance of producing these becomes 

 every day diminished ; the constant exertions of men of the 

 highest genius and most extensive experience must have 

 brought forth so much fruit, that comparatively little in the 



