Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/71



Mr. Walter Henrick. 5 August, 1831. Mr. Walter about twenty minutes in getting up our steam, and we do not consume more than a bushel.

That is at first starting?—That is at first starting.

Do you apply a second Carriage to your Engine for passengers, or do you carry them in the same Carriage?—The boiler is placed behind the Carriage; there is an engine-house between the boiler and the Carriage; the Engines are placed perpendicular between the passengers and the boiler, and the fore part of the vehicle is for the passengers, so that all the machinery is quite behind the Carriage, and the fore part of the Carriage entirely for the convenience of passengers.

Where does the guide sit?—In the front, the same exactly as a coachman in a common stage.

How many passengers have you carried?—We carry ten; but I am making provision to carry fourteen.

What is the weight of your vehicle?—I should imagine about three tons and a half.

Have you ever weighed it?—Not this Carriage; but the Carriage I had before, the vehicle itself with the engines and boilers, weighed three tons; I consider the present Carriage to weigh from three tons to three and a half tons, with fuel and water.

Have you found the rate of tolls that have been charged at the turnpike gates very high?—On the City Road toll I have paid a shilling; I do not know whether it is according to proportion, for it was a thing that did not embrace my attention at that time; but the highest toll that I have paid is a shilling; but on the road that I run from Stratford to London they told me they would not take it; they would take it another day.

What effect do you think your Carriage has upon the road, in proportion with a Carriage equally loaded, with four horses?—I think, myself, we should rather improve the roads by the operation of our Engines, because a Steam Coach requires broad wheels, perfectly upright and flat on the outside of the tire.

What is the breadth of the tire?—The tires of the present wheels are about three inches and a half.