The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-08 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE IPSWICH AND

BURY ST. EDMUNDS' RAILWAY.

(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

This line was privately opened yesterday, and in a
week trains will run for the conveyance of passengers.
A special train, consisting of three carriages, two of
which were elegant smoking saloons, was kindly placed
at the service of the new line by the directors of the
Eastern Counties, and left the Shoreditch station shortly
before ten o'clock. It contained, amongst other gentle-
men, Mr. Waddington, 'the Deputy Chairman of the
Eastern Counties, and Mr. Roney, the Secretary.
Another train left Colchester at eleven o'clock, contain-
ing a number of ladies and gentlemen. On reaching
Ipswich, after a pleasant and rapid journey, an
amalgamation of trains took place, at about a
quarter to one o'clock, a train of imposing length,
drawn by two engines, and tastefully decorated with
flags and evergreens, started for Bury St. Edmunds. An
immense number had been invited. The line, which
almost commences with a tunnel of a quarter of a mile
in length, and of a rather sharp curve, proceeds in a
north-easterly direction, and along the valley of the
Gippint, to Haughley, in the vicinity of which the line
to Norwich, and for which Parliamentary powers have
been obtained, will branch, and from thence, in a north-
westerly direction across what is called the Table Land,
to its destination. The line, the Act for which was
obtained in 1844, is 26 miles in length; it was com-
menced in September, 184 i, so that its construction has
occupied little more than twelve months, an incredibly
short time, for the works in many portions of
the line must have been extremely heavy, the
soil moved being about 500,000 cubic yards
per mile. The steepest gradient, which is at
Norton Ward is 1 in 132. The country traversed is
agricultural. There are seven leading stations exclusive
of the termini, namely, Bramsford, Blakenham, Need-
ham-market, Stowmarket, Haughley, Delmowell, and
Thurston. Nothing could be more gratifying than the
way in which the train, and those it contained, were re-
ceived at the various stations. Notwithstanding the un-
favourable state of the weather, the inhabitants, the
young and the old, and, in fact, the " halt and the lame,"
presented themselves in formidable array, and cheered
the pageant lustily. At every station triumphal arches
of evergreens were erected across the line, and
flags and banners, displaying glittering and compli-
mentary allusions, were exhibited almost to profusion. On
reaching Bury St. Edmunds a most imposing sight met
the view. Not only the town, but the surrounding dis-
tricts seemed to have poured forth the whole of 4lieir
inhabitants, for every available space within sight of the
station, which stands on an eminence, was thronged with
dense masses of humanity.
The directors and the officers of the company were
there met by the Mayor and the corporation of Bury,
who headed a procession into the town, preceded by a
band of music, which had enlivened the journey from
Ipswich, and a number of flags.
The works reflect great credit on the engineer,
Mr. Peter Bruff, and the contractors Messrs. Brassy and
Mackenzie. They cost about 16,0001. a mile. The sta-
tions are in an unfinished state, but the line is in a per-
fect working order.
The inauguration of the line was celebrated by an
excellent dinner in the evening at the Assembly Rooms,
Bury. There were between 300 and 400 guests.
John Chevalier Cobbald, Esq., the chairman of the
company presided. He was supported by the mayor.
A great number of influential gentlemen were present.
Due justice having been done to the viands and supe-
rior wines,