In the 1830s Russell developed a prototype passenger-carrying steam carriage, but it met with opposition from the road trustees, and the venture failed. He had more success with the Union Canal Company, investigating the feasability of steam-powered canal transport and studying the connection between resistance to motion and wave-generation.
Sa 1830s Russell binuo ng isang tularan pasahero-dala ng singaw carriage, ngunit ito nakikita sa oposisyon mula sa Trustees daan, at ang venture ay nabigo. He had more tagumpay sa Union Canal Company, investigating ang feasability ng singaw-pinapatakbo kanal transportasyon at pag-aralan ang koneksyon sa pagitan ng paglaban sa mga kilos at ikaway-henerasyon.