The concept of atmospheric railways was conceived by the engineers Samuda and Clegg.
The London and Croydon Atmospheric Railway was opened in 1846 between Croydon and Forest Hill. It was extended to New Cross Gate early in 1847 but the whole experimental route was discontinued later in 1847 when the LBSCR took over the London and Croydon operations.
There were other attempts at atmospheric railways:
The images in this album may be from other atmospheric railways unless specifically identified as London and Croydon.
The London and Croydon Atmospheric Railway was opened in 1846 between Croydon and Forest Hill. It was extended to New Cross Gate early in 1847 but the whole experimental route was discontinued later in 1847 when the LBSCR took over the London and Croydon operations.
There were other attempts at atmospheric railways:
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The Dublin & Kingstown Railway operated one between 1843 and 1855
The South Devon Railway under Brunel's guidance operated for a year using atmospheric pressure between 1847 and 1848.
The images in this album may be from other atmospheric railways unless specifically identified as London and Croydon.
London & Croydon "Samuda's Atmospheric Railway" (Ref: 011837)
From The Illustrated London News 11 Oct 1845 p.240London & Croydon "Samuda's Atmospheric Railway" (Ref: 011837)
Forest Hill (Dartmouth Arms) Station 1840s - sketch (LBW @ 5m 50ch)
London & Croydon Atmospheric Train at "Dartmouth Arms" (now Forest Hill) Station. A station at Dartmouth Arms provided a big steam pumping engine to make a vacuum in the atmospheric continuous pipe. The tall ornamental chimney is the chimney of the air pumping engine. The atmospheric railway was expected to supersede steam locomotives. From ('Locomotion in Victorian London' by G A Sekon)Forest Hill (Dartmouth Arms) Station 1840s - sketch (LBW @ 5m 50ch)
Forest Hill (Dartmouth Arms) Pumphouse 1840s - sketch (LBW @ 5m 50ch)
London and Croydon Railway atmospheric railway pump-houseForest Hill (Dartmouth Arms) Pumphouse 1840s - sketch (LBW @ 5m 50ch)
Viaduct on the Croydon Atmospheric Railway, crossing the Dover and Brighton lines, between Norwood and Croydon (LBW @ approx 9mp)
The flyover was built of wood to save money, and at a maximum gradient of 2% in the belief that only lightweight atmospheric trains would cross over it. After abandonment of the atmospheric system, the flyover was too steep and too flimsy for reliable operation by locomotives, so it was removed early on, along with the atmospheric pipe.Viaduct on the Croydon Atmospheric Railway, crossing the Dover and Brighton lines, between Norwood and Croydon (LBW @ approx 9mp)
London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - Viaduct crossing the Dover and Brighton Lines. (Ref: 011846)
The flyover, the first on a railway, was necessary as the atmospheric pipes would foul the junction if a crossing was attempted on the level. (From The Illustrated London News 11 Oct 1845 p.240)London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - Viaduct crossing the Dover and Brighton Lines. (Ref: 011846)
London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - Croydon Engine House. (Ref: 011845)
After closure of the atmospheric system the pump was used by the local water company. (From The Illustrated London News 11 Oct 1845 p.240)London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - Croydon Engine House. (Ref: 011845)
Design for station and engine house for the London & Croydon atmospheric system extension. (Ref: 030522)
Drawing of a station and pump house for the proposed Epsom extension of the London & Croydon RailwayDesign for station and engine house for the London & Croydon atmospheric system extension. (Ref: 030522)
London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - Leading Cars. (Ref: 011843)
Diagram of piston car on the left showing the connection to the piston in the pipe plus the solder car on the right with a charcoal powered heater used for sealing the pipe. (From The Illustrated London News 11 Oct 1845 p.240)London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - Leading Cars. (Ref: 011843)
The Atmospheric Train on the Croydon Railway -Line Drawings
In place of a locomotive the leading vehicle of an atmospheric train was the piston carriage which was attached to the piston in the atmospheric pipe between the lines. This was followed by the heating and soldering car which sealed the pipe. Behind this were the passenger carriages. From ('Locomotion in Victorian London' by G A Sekon)The Atmospheric Train on the Croydon Railway -Line Drawings
Atmospheric Railway - Passenger Car. (Ref: 011839)
Side elevation of three compartment passenger vehicle. Note the name of the inventors on the side "Clegg and Samuda Atmospheric Railway".Atmospheric Railway - Passenger Car. (Ref: 011839)
London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - The pipe in situ. (Ref: 011847)
(From The Illustrated London News 11 Oct 1845 p.240)London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - The pipe in situ. (Ref: 011847)
Section of London & Croydon Railway atmospheric pipe. (Ref: 011836)
London & Croydon Railway Pipe used for the atmospheric railway which lasted for only a short time between London and Croydon.Section of London & Croydon Railway atmospheric pipe. (Ref: 011836)
London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - Cross-section of the pipe. (Ref: 011844)
The London and Croydon did not adopt the sealing flange from Samuda's original design which led to the failure of the system in hot weather and snow. (From The Illustrated London News 11 Oct 1845 p.240)London & Croydon Atmospheric Railway - Cross-section of the pipe. (Ref: 011844)
Atmospheric Railway - Cross-section of piston car. (Ref: 011842)
Showing the connection between the piston and the car. Note the guards seat.Atmospheric Railway - Cross-section of piston car. (Ref: 011842)
Atmospheric Railway - Piston Car (Ref: 011838)
Side elevation showing how piston from the piston car sat in the pipe.Atmospheric Railway - Piston Car (Ref: 011838)
Atmospheric Railway - Overhead view of piston apparatus. (Ref: 011840)
Overhead view of track and position of piston in pipe.Atmospheric Railway - Overhead view of piston apparatus. (Ref: 011840)
