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Experiments with Fairlies steam carriage for short distances, August 1869
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Experiments with Fairlies steam carriage for short distances, August 1869
Experiments with Fairlies steam carriage for short distances, August 1869. A steam carriage designed and built by the Scottish locomotive engineer Robert Fairlie (1831-1885), during tests at Hatcham Ironworks in London, on a small oval track (under 600 feet in circumference). The carriage was 43 feet in length, including a compartment for the guard, carried 66 passengers, and altogether weighed only 13.5 tons
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Media ID 14862818
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Experimental Experimentation Lewisham Oxford Science Archive Steam Carriage Test Testing Track Fairlie Hatcham Illustrated London News
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in transportation history - the experiments with Fairlies steam carriage for short distances in August 1869. Designed and built by the ingenious Scottish locomotive engineer, Robert Fairlie, this remarkable steam carriage was put to the test at Hatcham Ironworks in London. The photograph showcases the carriage on a small oval track, measuring under 600 feet in circumference. Impressively, this engineering marvel stretched an astonishing 43 feet in length and had ample space to accommodate up to 66 passengers. Surprisingly lightweight for its size, it weighed just 13.5 tons. During these tests, conducted amidst great anticipation and curiosity of the era, Fairlie's creation demonstrated its potential as a revolutionary mode of transport. This experimental endeavor aimed to explore new possibilities for road travel using steam power. The monochrome image evokes nostalgia for a bygone era when innovation was met with awe and excitement. The intricate details captured within this engraving provide insight into the meticulous craftsmanship that went into constructing such an ambitious vehicle. Preserved through time by The Print Collector from Heritage Images' collection, this historical artifact offers us a glimpse into one man's vision of transforming transportation forever. It serves as a testament to human ingenuity and our unyielding pursuit of progress during the nineteenth century.
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