3-003-932 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New street railway at Manchester, with omnibus perambulator, 1861. Haworth's patent perambulator and street railway. 'This patent consists in the laying down of three lines of rails, the centre one having a groove, in which the perambulator attached to the vehicle revolves, and thereby maintains the wheels upon the rails. The rails, being laid perfectly level with the roadway, present no obstruction to the ordinary traffic...The perambulator is suspended by a chain attached to a lever fixed on the footboard, which the driver can raise or lower with his foot at pleasure, and thereby either keep or leave the rails...The advantages presented by the adoption of this patent, as laid down by the inventor, are as follow: Cheapness of construction, and applicability to streets and turnpike roads; adaptation of the rails to existing omnibuses, lurries, or other vehicles, without alteration; no impediment to the ordinary traffic; reduction in the public highway rates from the great saving effected in the repair of roads, by the omnibus traffic being transferred from the road to the rails; increased ease and comfort in travelling; great saving in haulage power, and in wear and tear of rolling stock; absence of noise, dust, and mud'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.