The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-24 00:00:00

CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY

CARRIAGES.

The South-Western Railway Company are constructing a
new set ( f carriages at their extensive locomotive establish-
ment at Vauxhall, on a new and improved plan, the carry-
ing out of which will no doubt enhance the comfort and
convenience of passengers, as well as tend to increase that se-
curity in travelling which has to the present time been so
effectively maintained by the Company. It appears that,
although some have already been in work, they are princi-
pally set apart for the new -branch lines intended for opening
next year.
In the first-class carriage, even to the most inexperienced
eye, improvement is perceptible to a great extent; safety,
convenience, and beauty, appear to have been severally Btu-
died in drawing out the design.
The seats are formed with springs, and the back linings are
provided with the same, they being so elastic as to afford the
greatest possible comfort, and, in the event of any accident,
would no doubt cause a great reduction in the shock that
might be consequent on such, and which in the general sys-
tem of construction might be attended with a serious, if not a
fatal result.
In addition to the usual door and side-glasses, there is a
light frame composed of very fine wire gauze, which is very
neatly painted, and which, when it is found necessary to
lower the glass for the admission of air, may be raised up,
and so answer the twofold purpose of partially admitting air
and of avoiding dust.
The interior is also provided with two lamps of neat work-
manship, and is lined with blue cloth, furnished with broad
lace of handsome pattern.
The body is painted and varnished in the usual style, the
doors bearing the Company's arms.
The carriage is mounted upon painted wooden wheels,
which appear to be of a superior construction, and of which
the Company's superintendent is patentee ; they are similar
to those on which the royal vehicle on the South-Western
line is mounted, and are remarkable for uniformity and neat-
ness of construction throughout. It may be added that their
safety has been tested on several occasions. They also pos-
sess the advantage of making very little noise, and are wholly
void of the disadvantage which characterises to a great ex-
tent wheels having spokes—that, to use a professional term,
of fanning the dust.
Turning to the second-class carriage, to which the im-
provement has been extended, side-lights and doors have
been provided similar to those of the first-class ; but it has
not the gauze frame.
The third-class carriage is of very serviceable make no
doubt, but it still maintains a degree of plebeian character.
The above alterations in the locomotive department have
met with the approbation of the several Govetnment officers,
and the names of many eminent persons might be mentioned
who have pronounced the new carriages to be superior to
those of any other line in England.
It may be stated that the South-Western Company, in
thus looking to the accommodation and safety of the public,
have set an example which it is to be hoped will be followed
in other quarters.
Perhaps it might be as well to add, that in Ireland im-
provement has extended still further, the second-class car-
riages on the Dublin and Kingstown and the Dublin and
Drogheda lines, actually possessing second-class accommoda-
tion equal to the first-class in England.

TRANSPORT OF TROOPS BY
RAILWAY. _ _ _

Sir Willoughby Gordc;:QUarter:Master-General of her
Majesty's Forces, was examined on Wednesday before the
Broad and Narrow Gauge Commission, relative to the facili-
ties of conveying troops by railway, and the obstacle which
a break in the gauge would occasion. The following is the
substance of his evidence :

For the last three years and a half, ending the 30th of June,
there were conveyed by railway 212,000 persons, of whom
9,600 were women, and 11,000 children, without a single ac-
cident being reported—a security previously unknown by any'
other mode of conveyance for troops. Has no preference for
01) broad or narrow gauge. Knew nothing of their compara-
tive merits. Had never any want of accommodation on
either. All the railway companies were anxious to meet the
views of the Horse Guards. Had as much accommodation as
if the railways were under his own direction.
By the Chairman—ln case of war, could the railways be
available for the defence of the country?
Witness—Certainly. The effect of the rapidity of the
railway was such, that they could do as much with a small
army as could have formerly been done with a large one.
The break of a gauge would diminish these advantages.
The practical inconvenience would be similar to that of a
ferry. Great inconvenience would result from want of
cover. I know the stations at Paddington and at Slough,
and am enabled to speak of them. The break of a gauge
at Slough would cause great inconvenience from the delay
that it would occasion. It would be very inconvenient to
unpack the baggage and ammunition after they had been
once stowed away. The effect to cavalry would be the
same. When cavalry were removed, the horses were placed
in boxes lightly nailed up, and they came out of them after
a journey of 100 miles perfectly fresh. The removal of in-
fantry, which might be accomplished in nine hours by rail-
way, would require seventeen marchings to effect the same
distance. The expense by railway is less. With regard to
cavalry, the horses cost no more than if they were in stable;
the only expense is for men.
The Dhairman—Do you think the Government should
keep a portion of the railway stations for the carriages and
boxes for the horses? _ _ _ _ _ _

Witness—ll, the time of war it might be desirable to
have a stock of carriages and boxes at the disposal of the
Government. In my opinion an uniformity of gauge would
be advantageous. It has been suggested that in case of an
insurrection, there would be a danger that the railways
might be broken up. I do not think that could be easily
done. If such a thing was expected, patrols might be
stationed on the line ; the military would take care to provide
against anything of that kind.
The Chairman—What would be the effect of lines of rail.
way along the coast in a military point of view?
Witness—During the last war, we bad large bodies of
troops along the coast in Kent, Sussex, and Devonshire, at a
great expense ; but now we could concentrate our forces at
one point. When the last war first broke out, we had troops
in Essex, Norfolk, Northampton, and so on northward. We
had, besides, large bodies of troops in Kent, Sussex, Hamp-
shire, and Devonshire, which were all separate corps, and
could not be moved without great labour and expense. In a
similar state of things, it would be much better to concen-
trate them at a central point in the interior, to be conveyed
to the coast as might be required.
The Chairman—Then you think this point should be a
focus, with radii diverging to the coast. Have you formed
any opinion where that point should be fixed?
Witness—l have not. That would have to be decided on.
There might be more than one point. The Martello Towers,
which it was at one time suggested should be sold, might be
very useful in repelling the approach of hostile steamers.
This closed General Gordon's examination.