A writer in _Notes and Queries_ remarks:—“On looking over a diary kept by
my father during two journeys northward in 1830–31, I thought the readers
might be amused with his account of what he saw of railway travelling,
then in its infancy:—
“Monday, Oct. 11, 1830, Darlington.—Walked to the railroad, which comes
within half-a-mile of the town. Saw a steam engine drawing about
twenty-five wagons, each containing about two tons and a half of coals.
A single horse draws four such wagons. I went to Stockton at four
o’clock by coach on the railroad; one horse draws about twenty-four
passengers. I did not like it at all, for the road is very ugly in
appearance, and, being only one line with occasional turns for passing,
we were sometimes obliged to wait, and at other times to be drawn back,
so that we were full two hours going eleven miles, and they are often
more than three hours. There is no other conveyance, as the cheapness
has driven the stage-coaches off the road. I only paid 1s. for eleven
miles. The motion was very unpleasant—a continual jolting and
disagreeable noise.”
On Sept. 1, 1831, he remarks:—“The railroad to Stockton has been improved
since I was here, as they are now laying down a second line.”
“Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1830.—Left Manchester at ten o’clock by the railroad
for Liverpool. We enter upon it by a staircase through the office from
the street at present, but there will, I suppose, be an open entrance,
by-and-bye; they have built extensive warehouses adjoining. We were two
hours and a half going to Liverpool (about thirty-two miles), and I must
think the advantages have been a good deal overrated, for, prejudice
apart, I think most people will allow that expedition is the only real
advantage gained; the road itself is ugly, though curious and wonderful
as a work of art. Near Liverpool it is cut very deeply through rock, and
there is a long tunnel which leads into a yard where omnibusses wait to
convey passengers to the inns. The tunnel is too low for the engines at
present in use, and the carriages are drawn through it by donkeys. The
engines are calculated to draw fifty tons. . . I cannot say that I at
all liked it; the speed was too great to be pleasant, and makes you
rather giddy, and certainly it is not smoother and easier than a good
turnpike road. When the carriages stop or go on, a very violent jolting
takes place, from the ends of the carriages jostling together. I have
heard many say they prefer a horse-coach, but the majority are in favour
of the railroad, and they will, no doubt, knock up the coaches.”
“Monday, Sept. 12, 1831.—Left Manchester by coach at ten o’clock, and
arrived in Liverpool at half-past two. . . The railroad is not supposed
to answer vastly well, but they are making a branch to Warrington, which
will hurt the Sankey Navigation, and throw 1,500 men out of employment;
these people are said to be loud in their execrations of it, and to
threaten revenge. It is certain the proprietors do not all feel easy
about it, as one living at Warrington has determined never to go by it,
and was coming to Liverpool by our coach if there had been room. He
would gladly sell his shares. A dividend of 4 per cent. had been paid
for six months, but money had been borrowed. . . . Charge for tonnage of
goods, 10s. for thirty-two miles, which appears very dear to me.”