3-053-397 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Lisbon steam-carriage tramway, 1873. 'A locomotive steam-engine and carriages of novel construction...on the line between Lisbon and Cintra...The line consists of three rails, the centre being made of iron, on the same plan as the usual permanent way of railway lines, only about one half the width...The centre rail guides the locomotive and carriages, and by this means sharp curves are easily turned, and the friction is reduced to a minimum...in running over a level road or easy gradients, by means of a hydraulic ram, worked by steam and connected with the central mechanism, the weight on the support wheels can be reduced by one half, and transferred to the centre or guiding wheels, which enables a greater speed to be attained...This new system of traction may be described as a compound of the railway and tramway systems...The original invention is patented by M. Larmanjat, but has been practically applied in this case by Mr. F. H. Trevithick, engineer, who designed the engines and stock...The steepest gradient on the company's system in Portugal is one in twenty-two. The engine is constructed to draw 25 tons...The speed in ordinary working is fifteen miles per hour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.