Engineers and Mechanics Encyclopedia 1839: Railways: David Gordon
An invention of great singularity, but designed to effect a similar object to Mr. Barry's, inserted a few pages back, was patented in 1822, by the late highly respected and intelligent David Gordon.
Our only information on this matter is derived from the interesting Treatise on Elemental Locomotion, by his son, Alexander Gordon; who, it is to be regretted, has omitted to bestow upon his sketch those details which are essential to give it a practicable form: we are therefore obliged to give the proposition in its crude state.
The machine consists of a large hollow cylinder, about nine feet in diameter, and five feet long; having its internal circumference provided with a continuous series of cogged teeth, into which are made to work the cogged running wheels of a locomotive steam engine, of the kind already described, as will be recognised by the figures. The steam power being communicated to the wheels of the carriage, causes them to revolve, and to climb up the internal rack of the large cylinder; the centre of gravity of the engine being than constantly made to change its position, and to throw its chief weight on the forward side of the axis of the cylinder, the latter is compelled to roll forward, propelling the vehicle before it, and whatever train may be added to the hinder part.
As an example of the utility of this machine, Alexander Gordon states, that he has lately been informed by Samuel Moyle, that at a subsequent date, he had used a large drum of this kind with great advantage, for the transport of heavy goods over a swamp, in South America.
"Having a quantity of plate iron, which was too heavy to carry over otherwise, he riveted the plates together into the shape of a large cylinder, and carried over heavy goods in the inside of it. As the party advanced, this huge machine rolled with them. Having arrived at their destination, the rivets were cut off, and the plates applied to their intended use. Now it will be obvious that a roller of this kind, so far from deteriorating a road, must materially improve it, and it may not inappropriately be termed a movable rail-road."