The Scotsman

Full steam ahead – the age of the train arrives for cities

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ON 21 February 1842, Scotland’s first intercity railway, the Edinburgh-glasgow mainline, opened to regular traffic. The service operated just four trains a day, a number that has since risen to 32. In other news, it was reported that the substructu­re of the Scott Monument was complete, while an earthquake in southeast England echoes events from February 2018. Edinburgh and Glasgow railway We understand that on Monday, nearly 1000 passengers availed themselves of this new and splendid mode of transit, and that yesterday the numbers amounted to about 1400.

The completene­ss of the arrangemen­ts even on the first day of the opening, and the caution with which the trips were performed under the immediate superinten­dence of Mr Miller, engineer of the line, inspired the passengers with perfect confidence; and during the two days on which the line has been open to the public, the trains have run with unfailing regularity.

On Saturday an inspection of the rope used on the inclined plane at Glasgow took place, in presence of the Directors, Captain Miller, superinten­dent of Police, and others, when a strong belief was entertaine­d that it had been wilfully cut on the previous evening. We have that they have seen reason since to alter this opinion, and to suspect that it was cut on one of the small wheels on which it runs. The matter is undergoing a searching investigat­ion, but in the meantime, the injury has been repaired and the strength of the rope thoroughly tested.

The occurrence, so far from causing any apprehensi­on in ascending or descending the inclined plane in future, will have a directly contrary effect, as a train was actually in process of being hauled up when the accident took place. The brake being immediatel­y applied, the train was prevented from sliding back; so that even in the event of the rope giving way, the only inconvenie­nce that can arise is the loss of time consequent on drawing up the carriages by some more tardy process.

In connection with the Railway we beg to call attention to an admirable little Railway Companion, which has just been published by Messrs Fraser & Co. in this city. It comprises, within the space of a single sheet, plans of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with letter-press descriptio­ns appended to each; an ample map of the Railway, with a running descriptio­n of the principle objects on the line; and a great variety of matter of the highest value to the traveller and tourist.

The price of the sheet, which is very neatly got up, is only a few pence. The Scott Monument The contractor, Mr Rhind, has been proceeding with this national memorial with as much celerity as the season would admit of. The substructu­re is now built to within seventeen feet of the level of Princes Street, which the contractor expects to reach six weeks hence, when the building of the splendid monument itself will be immediatel­y commenced. On Friday the foundation stone, which was laid with such pomp and ceremony on the anniheard versary of the birth-day of Sir Walter Scott in August 1840, was deposited in its proper situation in presence of the contractor, Mr Kemp the architect, and Mr Steell, the sculptor. It is so placed that it will be visible in an apartment under the monument; and a pier of stonework will rise from it to support the pedestal of the marble statue of Sir Walter, which we hear the eminent sculptor is rapidly proceeding with. Earthquake in Cornwall A violent shock of an earthquake was felt on Thursday at twenty-five minutes past eight o’clock in the morning, at Falmouth and throughout that part of Cornwall. It was accompanie­d by a loud report and subsequent­ly a rumbling noise resembling the upsetting of a laden cart against a house.

 ??  ?? 0 A handy guide to the new-fangled mode of transport – a train between Glasgow and Edinburgh
0 A handy guide to the new-fangled mode of transport – a train between Glasgow and Edinburgh

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