An essential engineering digest of 19th‑century railway debates
Learn how engineers assessed the feasibility of major public works through a comprehensive digest of parliamentary evidence. This volume distills complex testimony into clear, practical insights for professionals and curious readers alike.
This edition compiles the London and Birmingham Railway evidence and related discussions, with a practical glossary that explains civil engineering terms, and a notable addendum on the Hawthorne locomotive for the Paris and Versailles Railway. It presents arguments on gradients, leveling, power requirements, and the trade-offs of different line designs, all interpreted for ready use by engineers, students, and researchers.
- Clear summaries of witness discussions on gradients, power, and practical railway design
- A glossary of technical terms used in civil engineering
- Details and illustrations related to prominent locomotive technology of the era
- Context for how engineers evaluated public works in Parliament and the public good
Ideal for readers of historical engineering practice, railway history, or anyone exploring how early rail projects were debated, planned, and justified.