Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/68



Mr. G. Gurney. 5 August, 1831. convinced not only the public of its practicability, but also some of those very men who are now employed in this object, and who previously had laughed at the idea, and considered it chimerical.

In what particular point of machinery does your patent consist?—I have three patents, the first for the boiler, the second for the peculiar application of it, and the third for improvements that have been made since.

Do you anticipate much saving of fuel in your future experiments?—I do; I think the saving of fuel will be in proportion to the saving of water.

That is, that there will be a saving from the better application of the fuel and boiler?—Yes; and from the general improvements in machinery; for instance, it is an unsettled point at this moment whether a pressure of 20 lbs, to an inch, or 120 lbs, to an inch, it is not yet decided, which time will decide.

Do you cut off your steam, so as to work expansively?—Yes, we generally work expansively.

You have mentioned that various accidents had happened to the crank of the Engine, which were not accounted for; have you in contemplation to effect any change in the application of the power?—At present. I think the crank the most simple; in some of my first experiments I worked with a chain passing over two wheels from one to another; also by a rack and pinion, and various motions of that kind; but I think that nothing is equal to a crank, that also is the opinion of others besides myself. Upon the Liverpool Rail-road they first applied the power to the outside of the wheel, but they have come to my drawing (No. 3.) at last, and they now work by the crank on the axle; this practically confirms my opinion.—There is one observation which I would at this moment make in connection with my former Evidence. I have been frequently asked, what would happen in case of an accident happening to the guide or director, in case he falls asleep, or in case he is disengaged from his seat. I have provided for all those casualties, distant as they are, by making the valves of the Engine only remain in gear when the guide is in his