The Sun.
London, England, 1848-07-03 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

EXTENSION TO WATERLOO-BRIDGE OF THE
SOUTH-WESTERN.
(From the Observer.)
Wednesday last was fixed as the day for the Govern-
ment Inspector of Railways to survey the line. Captain
Lafan proceeded to inspect the sub-structure of the line
up to the Wandsworth-road, where an embankment
connects the new branch with the main line. Two of the
heaviest engines of the company, the Castor and Alaric,
received the Government Inspector
and the functionaries
of the company, including Mr. Locke, the engineer, and
soon after twelve o'clock they were set in motion. The
passage was exceedingly smooth. The iron girder
bridges were of course the principal objects of observa-
tion and experiment. The engines were first run singly,
then coupled, were " shunted" suddenly on the crown
of the arches; but the deflection was trifling in every
case. The arch that traverses the Wandsworth-road only
yielded the 32d part of an inch; in those of the Vaux-
hall and Lambeth-roads there was no visible deflec-

tion; and the bridge over the Westminster-road, which
is 90 feet in span, only yielded an eighth of an inch.
On the following day Captain Lafan again inspected the
line, and, on concluding his inspection, refused to give
the necessary certificate for tho opening of the line,
alleging, as we understand, the general incompleteness
of the works. The primary cause of the line not open-
ing is, we are given to understand, the doubts that Cap-
tain Lafan entertains of the solidity of the iron girder
bridge over the Westminster-road, and the necessity that
.exists for its being tested by weights and other experi-
ments before passenger trains are permitted to cross it.
That the arches are of the most substantial construc-
tion, and that no imperfection has occurred in any one
approaching 100
amstaynablelaisntfetrrraeinds,frformegtuheenftlayet that since Wed-
nesday of them, may
tons in weight, have continued to pass up the line to the
York-road.

it is generally understood that the new line will be
opened en or about the 10th inst., but this will depend
solely on the result of the test to which the Westmin-
ster-road bridge is to be subjected.
The entire extension is on a lofty viaduct from Nine
Elms to Waterloo-read, and consists of 300 arches, like
those upon the Greenwich line. Proceeding from the
Nine Elms station the first object of attraction is the
bridge over the Wandsworth-road, which is formed of
large iron girders of 70 feet span—a really handsome
and solid structure. Nothing of importance intervenes
to view until you reach the bridges over Lambeth-road
and Kennington-lane, which are of a description similar
to the Wandsworth one, excepting that the one at Lam-
beth is constructed on three arches,
one over the main
road, with two side arches for footh paths. Between
these two bridges is situated the Vauxhall station, abut-
ting close upon the Vauxhall Gardens. The extent of
platform room at this station is altogether about 300
feet. Only certain trains will stop at it. Over Church-
street, in the vicinity of Lambeth Palace, the bridge
consists of two iron arches with piers in the centre of
the road. The principal bridge is that over Westminster-
bridge-road, and its singularity consists in the greatness
of its skew span, which, at a stretch of 90 feet, compasses
the whole road. The extent of room at the Waterloo-
station is at present five acres, but the company have
purchased ground to the extent of twelve acres, so as to
provide for their own future accommodation, and that of
the South-Eastern, the Brighton and South Coast, or
any other line that may ultimately join them. The
whole of the land from Nine Elms to Waterloo-bridge
has cost 500,0001., and the total sum for the construc-
tion of the entire extension is estimated at about
2,000,0001. The present hooking-offices and waiting-
rooms are only temporary, but the sheds, engine-houses,
and other appurtenances are permanent. In a short
time a substantial terminus, under the superintendence
of Mr. Tite, the company's architect, will be commenced
on a large scale, and from suitable designs. The total
length of the present iron-roofed platform is 300 feet,
but when completed it will be upwards of 600 feet. Its
full width is about 154 feet. There are six lines of rail,
and at 250 yards beyond there are four lines of rail, two
for the Richmond and Windsor, and two for the main
line traffic, the whole way to Nine Elms station, which
will be converted into a locomotive depot and into wharfs
and workshops.
One great advantage to be derived from the present
extension will be the voidance of the notoriously ob-
noxious tolls to Nine Elms station over the bridges, and
' it is calculated that to passengers travelling by the
South-Western this alone will be a saving of some thou-
sands per annum.
The property disturbed in carrying out the present
extension has, we understand, been very considerable;
between 600 and 700 houses having been purchased, but
the effect of it has been to raise the rents in the neigh-
bourhood between 30 and 40 per cent.
As a general principle, the trains will leave the Wa-
terloo station at the same time as they have been accus-
tomed to leave the Nine Elms, while the relative dis-
tances and time occupied will be materially reduced.
The distance to the new terminus from the Bank will be
something less than two miles, instead of four, as for-
merly, and correspondingly so to other quarters of
town. The company, amongst other arrangements.
have their cab and omnibus
service
ansthat pursued by the North
Western
Western; and with this view
determined
o natnh dest same
me oen
Gprrceioanntedim
rpu
principle
conducting
100 cabs, in addition to omnibuses and hackneys, will,
on its opening, commence running from the station.

The
Marchioness of Londonderryhad
oa n Satur-
day. n after-
noong
li°tued' Park-lane,a
the dansant, and was
, the pianist, has just
arrived A brilliant but limited
fro m party
Itthree
was
to awth lla
eighttowl daesr
o n,,teelss! c k .
na
years' residence in
circle of the members of the nobility attended.
Rome, where he was elected a Member of the Academy
of St. Cecilia and an Honorary Member of the Phil-
rd. Cinharlte eswn,Saelaftmeran
two
harmonie
11e
Academy of the City of the Ctesars. We
understand it is Mr. Charles Salaman's intention to
resume forthwith his professional duties.
DREADFUL OMNIBUS ACCIDENT.—(THIS DAY.)—
About half past nine o'?lock this morning, as one of
Adams's Waterloo omnibuses was proceeding down
Waterloo-road, and opposite St. John's Church, the
driver was observed to fall from his seat on to the foot-
board. The poor fellow wasin a fit, and thus the reins
fell over between the horses' legs, when they became
restive, and darted off at a feartul rate. Fortunately
the horses were stopped near the Hero of Waterloo
Tavern, and the driver and an outside male passenger,
who had unwisely thrown himself from the roof, were
removed to Dr. Brookes 's shop. There it was ascertained
that the driver was injured severely by the kicking of
1 the horses, and the passenger so dreadfully injured also,
that they were instantly conveyed to Guy's Hospital,
with little hope of recovery for either. It appeared that
the driver had been subject to fits, which accounted for
his being strapped to the seat; otherwise be must have
fallen between the horses, and consequently been killed.