A Letter to the Kensington Canal Company 62153
[Title: A Letter to the Kensington Canal Company on the Substitution of
the Pneumatic Railway for the common Railway]
[Author: John Vallance]
[Subtitle: by which they contemplate extending their line of conveyance]
[Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/1/5/62153 ]
[Files: 62153-0.txt; 62153-h.htm]
For those wishing to know: In 1827, at Brighton, England, John Vallance
constructed a pneumatic railway where people were propelled through a tube
by atomospheric pressure rather than being pulled by a stream engine. He
demonstrated that it was possible, but couldn't get backing. By 1833 the
Kensington Canal Company (West London) were considering turning their
failed canal into a railway, and Vallance saw his opportunity. The
"letter" is a long essay on how pnuematic railways work, what had been
proven, why they would be superior to the stream railway etc. He didn't
convince them but the essay shows Vallance was years ahead of his time in
seeing the issues in high speed rail, the basics of railway engineering
etc.
All the best,
David
England with a nice sunset
