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The London Steam Carriage 1803
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The London Steam Carriage 1803
This was designed by Richard Trevethick and Andrew Vivian. The parts for the vehicle were made in Falmouth and assembled at Feltons Carriage Works, London. The single horizontal cylinder engine, boiler and firebox were placed behind the rear axle.The motion of the piston was transmitted to a separate crankshaft via the forked piston rod.The crankshaft drove the axle of the driving wheel via a spur gear. The carriage had 8 ft diameter driving wheels intended to smooth out the road and mimimise the chaces of the fire being extinguished by shaking. The Steam Carrige was first driven for about 10 miles, to Paddington and back through Islington, . It carried 7 or 8 passengers and travelled beteen 4 and 9 mph.On a later journey the carrige crashed into some house railings. This together with lack of commercial interest and a shortage of money led to the project being scrapped
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Media ID 6364429
© Sheila Terry
History Of Science History Of Technology 1803 Falmouth Vivian
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the remarkable London Steam Carriage of 1803, a groundbreaking invention designed by Richard Trevethick and Andrew Vivian. The vehicle's parts were meticulously crafted in Falmouth and assembled at Feltons Carriage Works in London. A true marvel of its time, this steam carriage featured a single horizontal cylinder engine, boiler, and firebox cleverly positioned behind the rear axle. The motion of the piston was ingeniously transmitted to a separate crankshaft through a forked piston rod, which then drove the driving wheel's axle using a spur gear mechanism. To ensure stability on uneven roads while preventing any mishaps with its fiery engine, the carriage boasted impressive 8 ft diameter driving wheels. During its inaugural journey from Paddington to Islington spanning approximately 10 miles, this magnificent creation carried between seven to eight passengers at speeds ranging from 4 to 9 mph. However, fate had other plans for this pioneering steam carriage as it tragically collided with house railings during one of its later expeditions. Despite initial excitement surrounding this revolutionary mode of transportation, lackluster commercial interest coupled with financial constraints ultimately led to the untimely demise of this ambitious project. Nevertheless, the legacy left behind by Richard Trevethick and Andrew Vivian endures as an important chapter in both English history and technological advancements.
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