Engineers and Mechanics Encyclopedia 1839: Railways: Concluding Remarks

In our endeavour to fulfil the undertaking which we announced at page 373, we have already, according to our publisher's report, far exceeded the prescribed limits of the work. So very numerous are the inventions on this subject, no varied are they in their modifications, and so elaborate in their details, that we have fund much difficulty in compressing them within their present space; and in doing we regret the necessity which has compelled as to clip many of their fair proportions. Nevertheless, some few of a very recent date remain unnoticed.

These we hope to be able to place before the public, together with some important matter relative to the theory of the subject, as well as the actual practice of our railway engineers, which we are reluctantly obliged here to exclude.

We had also in preparation for the engraver a series of views, with plans, elevations, and sections of several of the great works now rapidly progressing in the various parts of the kingdom; also some beautiful designs for bridges, tunnels, and other railway works, which latter were kindly furnished us by that eminent artist and engineer, Mr. Jones, of No. 7, St. Martin's-place, Charing Cross. This gentleman has lately proposed the employment of a spacious carriage, to accompany the trains, fitted up with all the conveniences of a steam-boat, for the accommodation of the infirm or sick.

In compiling this article, the Editor has been indebted to the works of Messrs. Wood, Tredgold, Palmer, Walker, Stephenson, M‘Neill, Booth, Rastrick, Scott, Lardner, and Gordon; to the Repertory of Arts, the Journal of Patent Inventions, the Mechanics' Magazine, the London Journal of Arts, and the Transactions of various Scientific Institutions. If, in some instances, he has omitted to acknowledge his authority, it is attributable to the difficulty of fixing the original author. The greater part of the subjects are, however, derived from the Editor's own resources, collected in his professional avocations of reporting upon new inventions; and of procuring letters patent for inventors.

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