8M 



This being reduced according to proportion between 200 

 and 240, gives 87.5. 



Thus the Atmospheric system, as hitherto used, has the 

 advantage of the locomotive in consumption of fuel in the 

 proportion of 52.5 to 50. 



My system may have the advantage over the locomotive in 

 consumption of fuel as 87.5 to 50. 



But the results of such calculations would materially vary, 

 according to the data of the weight and of the number of 

 trains per day; for the loss on the locomotive systems 

 becomes very much greater when the train is much smaller 

 than 75 tons or 15 carriages ; and the loss on the Atmos- 

 pheric system, as hitherto applied, that is, without reservoirs, 

 is very great when few trains are run. 



Again, when a heavy traffic of goods has to be taken over 

 a level or very slight gradients, the locomotive will prove the 

 most economical ; but when the gradients become so severe 

 as to cause slipping of wheels, and require assistant engines, 

 I doubt not the Atmospheric system will afford great advan- 

 tages. 



The Atmospheric system also promises great advantages 

 in the rapid transit of passengers over a line of moderate 

 length, that is, 30 to 40 miles, which would easily admit of a 

 single line being used. 



A vote of thanks was afterwards unanimously passed, on 

 the motion of Dr. Alexander, of Halifax, to the Chairman, 

 for his services in the chair, and his still more valuable con- 

 tribution that day to practical science — a contribution, like 

 many other kindred discoveries, so remarkable for its sim- 

 plicity and easy application. The Society then adjourned to 

 dinner, and there was no further business in the evening. 



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