Engineers and Mechanics Encyclopedia 1839: Railways: Samuel Brown
From Graces Guide
In 1828, Samuel Brown applied his gas-vacuum engine to the propulsion of a carriage, which we are informed was effectively worked along the public roads; and that it even ascended the very steep acclivity of Shooter's Hill in Kent, to the astonishment of numerous spectators. The expense of working this machine is, however, said far to exceed that of steam; and consequently this circumstance will form a barrier to its introduction, until its ingenious inventor shall succeed in removing it by devising a more economical mode of operating.