CHAPELON RECOGNISED ADAMS’ SIGNIFICANT WORLDWIDE INFLUENCE

I have long since retired, but I was once in charge of a History of Technology course in the faculty of engineering at the University of Surrey. As a result of my interests, I delivered a paper to the Newcomen Society on the subject of William Adams. Philip Atkins, the National Railway Museum’s librarian at the time, gave me a great deal of assistance and encouragement. The point I wish to raise is that No. 563 is of great historical significance for three reasons: It contains Adams’ invention of a properly controlled bogie with side-play, which revolutionised locomotive design. It contained (originally) the Adams vortex blastpipe, which had a dramatic effect on boiler tube lifespan and fuel consumption and which, according to [advanced locomotive engineer] André Chapelon, was abandoned prematurely. One of the ‘X2’ class, almost identical to the ‘T3’, was the subject of the most comprehensive and fully documented test trials in the 19th century. Before my paper to the Newcomen Society, I was privileged to sit with George Carpenter, a close friend of Chapelon. He told me that in Chapelon’s opinion, William Adams was the last British locomotive engineer to have any significant influence abroad. For me, this raises the question of whether the significance of this locomotive was fully realised at the time the decision was made to pass it to the Swanage Railway. I do not doubt for one moment that the Swanage Railway intends to return it to steam. But if this project fails, what then? I would earnestly ask the National Railway Museum to consider the future of this splendid example of that rare species, the outside-cylindered 4-4-0. One thing is sure: it must not be allowed to fall into an irretrievable state of decay. Edward Wilson M.Sc.(ENG) C.ENG. M.I.Mech.E. (rtd), Walton-on-the-Naze

563 IS OF GREAT HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE