From Newsgroup: uk.railway

I came across this whilst looking up something in the Stations of the
British Army, thought it might be of interest.

Westmorland Gazette - Saturday 11 September 1841
Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


STEAM TRAVELLING THE COMMON ROADS.

One of the General Steam Coach Company's coaches started from the York
and Albany Hotel, near tho Regents-park, at 25 minutes past four on
Thursday afternoon, and performed the journey to the Manor-house, at Tottenham, and back again, in twenty-five or twenty-six minutes, a
distance of from seven to nine miles, as estimated by two several
parties. This would give on rough calculation about fifteen miles in the
hour. But from tho obstructions which were encountered on the road, in
the shape of flocks of sheep, carts, horses, and vehicles of every description, are convinced this is not a fair estimate, and that twenty
miles an hour would be the more correct computation. One fact, however,
seemed be establishedrConamely, that the new steam coach is capable of
running on ordinary roads with speed, economy, and safety. The noise of
the engine is scarcely perceptible; there is neither smoke nor a visible escape of steam, and the boiler is constructed of numerous pipes, so
that if one, or even two should burst, the boiler is relieved, and all
danger avoided. To enter into any description of the carriage would be
foreign to our purpose, but we cannot avoid noticing the extremely
ingenious contrivance which blows and keeps the fire alive. The
facility, too, with which the engine is managed is truly remarkable,
instance of which appeared in the descent from the Camden Villas. A cow suddenly rushed across the road when the coach was at full speed, and
had the vehicle been drawn horses, a collision must have taken place,
and no doubt serious consequences would have resulted ; whereas the
engineer, with a provision which mu9t be seen to be duly appreciated,
steered, we cannot say drove, the coach clear of the animal. may also
mention, that though several flocks of sheep were met or passed, yet
without signally checking the speed, the engineer drove through them. To describe the carriage, we have only to say that the wheels are very
broad, and that the portion allotted to passengers resembles the open carriages on tbe railroads. The stokers sit behind, and the whole
complement of passengers was sixteen. Several Members of Parliament were passengers, and one lady. The coach is shortly to make a trip to
Windsor, for the inspection Her Majesty and Prince Albert.
- John Bull
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