TABLE XI. Gross load in tons, which an engine, capable of evaporating 60 cubic feet of water per hour, will drag, exclusive of the tender, at the under-mentioned rates of speed, on different inclinations of planes. Art. 9.-Cost of Locomotive Engines on Railways. We shall now endeavour to ascertain the cost of working railways by locomotive engines, and shall take, in the first place, the cost of the Liverpool and Manchester, which has been longest in use of any of the public railways in this country. We are, however, aware, in doing this, it will shew a result unfavourable to the system; for this railway was established before the locomotive engines, as applicable to public railways, came into operation; and, therefore, all the improvements and expense, of raising the locomotive engine, from a very inefficient to its present state of perfection, have been borne by that railway. In consequence thereof, many of the first engines and carriages became quite useless, or not adapted to the improved system, long before they were worn out; the expense, therefore, of establishing a system of motive power, added to the cost of working under such disadvantageous circumstances, would, of necessity, enhance the expenses much beyond what must be expected upon more modern lines of road, having all the benefit of this experience, and commencing with engines of the most improved description. The rails upon the Liverpool railway were also laid down much too light, and not at all adapted to the weight of the improved engines. Independently, therefore, of having to incur the expense, of keeping up a line of road, quite incapable of sustaining the weight of the modern engines and carriages; the company have had almost the entire line of railway to replace with heavier rails, blocks, chairs, &c. With these explanations, we now give the cost of working that line, taken from the half yearly accounts of that company. We have divided the charges into the following classifications, for the purpose of ascertaining the cost of each department of the work. a.-Expense of working the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. 1. Locomotive power, or haulage. 2. Maintenance of railway. 3. Coaching department, or conveyance of passengers. 4. Carrying department, or conveyance of goods. 5. Stationary engine expenses. 6. General expenses. 7. Interest of capital. The following tables will, therefore, shew the expenses of each of the several departments of cost, from the 31st December 1831 to the 30th June 1834. |