The Sun.
London, England, 1840-12-01 00:00:00

RAILWAY FROM LONDON TO

GLASGOW.

(From the Carlisle Journal.)
We understand that Sir Frederick Smith has completed
the survey of the line by Grey rigg, which was suggested
as off:ric,g an easy mode of connecting the Lune and Ken-
dal lines, and thus removing the difficulties which were
supposed likely to arise from the omission of Kendal from
the direct route ; and that his report is now in the hands
of the Home Secretary. The precise nature of the report
we are unable to state; but we believe we shall be found
correct in saying that Sir Frederick gives the preference
to the Lune line, as originally surveyed by Mr. Larmer of
this city ; but, et the same time, recommends that the lino
by Grayrigg be adopted, for the purpose of including a
town of so much importance as Kendal, providing a Com-
pany he formed there for aiding the undertaking. The
Lune line is shorter than the Kendal line by about two
and a-half miles; but as this is a matter of small import-
ance to passengers, Sir Frederick thinks it better to forego
the advantage than to throw Kendel out of the line. When
the Report is published we shall be careful to present our
readera with a copy of it ; but in the mee,ntime, we believe
the statement we have made may be fully relied upon.
We are also glad to hear that active steps have been
taken by the merchants of Glasgow to secure a Railway
communication between that city and Carlisle. A large
sum has been subscribed for the purpose of procuring a
Parliamentary survey of the line by way of Beattocke
bridge; and we understand Mr. Locke, the eminent en-
gineer, will commence the work immediately. This line,
as our readers are aware, pursues the valley of the Aunan ;
and will reach its summit level near the sources of that
river and the Clyde. The line for Glasgow then pursues
the valley of the latter river ; while from the summit level
an easy line presents itself to Edinburgh. There are
considerable difficulties to be encountered near the summit
level, and the gradients cannot be such as are most de-
sirable ; at the same time, the difficulties are far from
insurmountable, and there are lines of Railway now in
successful operction with still less favourable gradients.
The spirit with which the subject has been taken up by
the capitalists of Glasgow (men who seldom set their
hearts upon an object without accomplishing it) affords a
happy augury of success and speedy accomplishment.
At the same time, th.e advocates of the Nithsdale line
are not idle. Our spirited neighbours in Dumfries, as
shown by an article which we copied a few weeks ago from
our excellent contemporary, the Dumfries Times, have
taken active measures to secure to themselves the advan.
tage of having the line from Carlisle to Glasgow to pass
through that town, and thence to Thornhill, Sanquhar,
Ayr, and Kilmarnock. At that meeting it was agreed to
raise the requisite sum for obtaining what is called a Par-
liarnentary survey"—that is, a survey in detail, such as
would be required by Parliament on Application for an
Act for the formation of a Railway. Mr. Miller, the en-
gineer of the Glasgow and Ayr, and Edinburgh and
Glasgow lines, is to be employed on this survey.
The surveys of these competing lines, when completed,
will have to be laid before the Commissioners appointed by
Government, in compliance with a resolution of the House
of Commons last Session, for their examination ; and the
decision they may come to upon the respective merits of
the lines, will doubtless decide public opinion upon the
subject.
In a merely local point of view, and looking to the
interests of Carlisle only, it does not appear to us to
be of much consequence which line be Adopted. Both
point to Carlisle as the place of junction with the
lines southward; and the formation of either will con-
fer upon Carlisle advantages of the greatest importance.
It is not likely, that in the end, there will be any ri-
valry ; that line which the Commissioners select as the
best in a national point of view will, in all probability, be
the line adopted, and it will be time enough for Carlisle
to move in the matter when such selection has been made.
In the mean time, however, it is of vital consequence
that all interested in the prosperity of Carlisle should be
up and doing to forward the completion of the line from
Lancaster to this city, that we may be ready to receive our
northern neighbours when they are ready to visit us. Car-
lisle and Kendal mast shake hands upon this subject.
Their interests in the matter at issue are now identical ;
and if they wish to reap the advantages which must arise
to them from direct and speedy communication between
the metropolis of Scotland—between Lancashire and
Glasgow, the two great emporiums of manufacturing
greatness—they should at once bestir themselves in form-
ing a Company to carry the great design into effect. De-
lays are proverbially dangerous, and delay in this case may
be ruinous. By lukewarmness and dilatoriness, permit a
line to be opened through the Eastern side of the
island from London to Edinburgh, and the hopes of
the inhabitants of the West are, if not completely
frustrated, deferred till that indefinite period which
sickeneth the heart. At present there are difficulties
on the ,Eastarn side of the island which will require
much time and consideration to overcome—for in-
stance, no feasible plan has yet been offered far form-
ing a junction between the Great North of England line
—that is the line from York by Darlington to Newcastle
and the proposed line along the East coast to Edin-
burgh ; nor has it yet been shown how the Tweed is to
be crossed upon the levels proposed. But these are diffi-
culties which time and further investigation may over-
come; and the wealth and energy of the men of the East
will speedily be brought into action to get the start of the
\Veit. The time will come, we doubt not, when there
will be lines of Railway both on the Eastern and Western
sides of the island, connecting England with Scotland;
but as it must be many years before both are required, that
which is first in the field must, for a long period of time,
be the only one in requisition.
We feel most anxious, therefore, to see some steps taken
towards the formation -of a Company= for the continuance
of the Railway from Lancaster to Carlisle. A work of
such magnitude cannot be accomplished by mere local ex-
ertion. The aid of the great capitalists of the country
will be required ; but this can only be obtained after the
residents along the line have shown their anxiety to em-
bark in the undertaking, and have prepared all the requi-
site information. he work is one of national importance,
and as such, we doubt not, it would be taken up if fairly
brought before the public by men earnest in the matter.