Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/37



Mr. G. Garney. 3 August, 1831. four tons; this was objectionable on account of its weight; which was severely felt in consequence of its effect on the roads. I thought it would injure the roads, which injury would produce a toll that would perhaps injure the economy of it: No. 3, weighed four tons; No. 4, weighed three tons, with the same power; No. 5, two tons, with the same power; the present Carriages building will not weigh more than 35 cwt, with the same power.

What does the Carriage which runs between Gloucester and Cheltenham weigh?—By a letter from a Magistrate, now produced, it is stated to weigh nearly three tons; it ought to weigh only 45 cwt.; it it weighs three tons, there is extra weight, of which I know nothing; this which I produce a sketch of, marked No. 6, weighs 35 cwt, and it has the same power. Those Carriages at Gloucester were built principally under the superintendence of another person.

When you state the weight of 35 cwt, you mean the weight of the travelling Carriage alone, without the weight of the Passengers, or the weight of fuel and water?—Yes, just so. I think it is possible to reduce the weight considerably as improvements go on; I have a Carriage now building which I do not expect will weigh above five cwt., which I expected to do the work of about one horse, and carry two or three people; speed is a particular object, and it is not intended to carry anything more than light parcels.

Into what Stages would you divide your journies most conveniently?—I think about seven miles.

What weight of fuel and water would you lay in for such a stage?—The fuel and water will be in proportion to the size and power of the Carriage.

For a machine, weighing 35 cwt, marked by you No. 6, what weight of fuel and water would you require?—Three bushels and a half of coke is the quantity we take to supply this distance, and the first charge two bushels; the first charge always remaining, it decreases of course down to the first charge, and taking the mean it will be 3¾. The weight of water at present I think is about 10 gallons a mile