This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1851. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... PROCEEDINGS. The General Meeting of the Members was held at the House of the Institution, Newhall Street, Birmingham, on Wednesday, 30th July, 1851, J. E. McCoNNELL, Esq., VicePresident, in the Chair. The Secretary read the Minutes of the last General Meeting, which were confirmed. The following paper, by Mr. Henry H. Henson, of London, was then read: -- ON IMPKOVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY WAGGONS. Until very recently, it could scarcely be said that this subject had been fairly entered upon; and it had received but little attention, except from those whose experience had been derived from the construction and working of common road carriages, which, however valuable for the purposes for which they were designed, were based on totally different principles from those required for the Railway traffic of passengers and goods. Amongst the early contributors to the production of the Eailway Waggon, were included the great carriers, their agents, road contractors, farmers, builders, wheelwrights, salesmen, graziers, timber merchants, and others, who differed greatly in their opinions as to what was wanted. Their individual experience, though highly valuable in reference to their respective departments, required, in order to elicit any practical result from this mass of information, to be blended and digested by others more experienced in the practical working of the new system. One of the greatest evils inflicted upon the Kailway Companies, has been the absence of arrangement or consultation between the officers of the different lines, in order to consider the best construction of the various vehicles intended to be used in the conduct of their traffic. The result has been, that several Companies have built a class of stock to some extent unsuitable...