Day Log/1864-07-30

On this date, Charles Easton Spooner wrote a second letter to the Privy Council, to amplify the application. It is not know if this was in response to a reply to his first letter, or due to the lack of reply:-

"This railway as a steam locomotive line being a novel one of the present day, it appears necessary to make some few remarks thereon to prevent prejudices that might naturally arise as to the safety of steam application on so small a gauge as two feet as well as to the safety of running over curves of unusually short radii. "An act of parliament was obtained for the construction of this line in the year 1832 at which time the population cf the district was very limited and the little business carried on was chiedly in the neighbourhood of the quarries. Since then the produce of the slate quarries has considerably increased and the shipping port has become a town of much importance. The railway runs through a wild and beautifal country a distance of 13 miles with a continuous descent from the quarries to the port, the difference of level between the one terminus and the other is 700ft and average grade 1 in 92. 'The line in consequence of the traffic formerly being very limited was made economically to meet the necessities of the time. As the traffic increased the company improved the line from time to time, easing many of curves and laying out large sums on deviations and improvements of permanent way. ~ Upon which being done it wascontemplated by the late manager to use steam locomotive engines, and engineers were consulted as to the practicality and utility of such a power. The result of enquiries made being discouraging, the project at that time was abandoned.

Howver from the continued advance of the slate traffic and increasing trade of the neighbourhood, it was considered most desirable by the company to use steam power on the line in place of horse power heretofore adopted and steps were taken for constructing suitable engines. The result is that the locomotives are made and worked the traffic for the last eleven months with the greatest possible satisfaction. Two engines during that time having run over a distance of 36,300 miles without an instance of having run off the rails

The locomotives are made to the same centre of gravity as those on the Great Western Railway. Also in the passengr carriages made and trucks used on the line, the gravity is brought as low as possiblewith proportionate distance between centre of wheels and the outer rail is raised around the curves, hence the perfect safety of traversing the line. The speed is limited to low rates viz 10 miles an hour; notwithstanding experiments have been made at the rate of 24 miles an hour throughout the entire length of the line with safety.

The necessity of carrying passengers between the source of traffic and the place of export has become an object of necessity to the company and much importance to the public, they have therefore preparred their line for that purpose, and are waiting on the sanction of the Board of Trade.

The Lords were in no rush to respond, and it was on 13th October before inspection.

See also

• Day Log/1864-06-20 Previous Letter
• Day Log/1864-10-13 Inspection Visit