The Kearney Files
Scientific Opinion
Sir James W Szlumper M. I. C. E. and Mr. R. C. H. Davison M. I. C. E. in a lengthy report to Sir Charles Allom in response to his request on the scheme says' the present system adopted for the tube railways in London has not proved to be financially attractive and in our opinion the principal causes which have brought about that result are :-
(1) The enormous capital expenditure rendered necessary (a) By the construction of enlarged tubes stations and passages. (b) In providing land for stations except at the Bank Station of the Central London Railway where the Corporation of the City of London allowed the station to be constructed under the public roadway.
(2) The great increase in working expenses due to the conveying passengers to and from the stations by means of lifts which adds at least 8% to the working expenses and :
(3) The loss of revenue due to the fact that the tubes are not used by short distance traffic as the time saved by the train journey over any of the available means of surface transit is more than neutralised by the loss caused by waiting and using lifts and passing through lengthy passages and up and down numerous steps ; moreover these means of entrance and exit are in themselves not popular with the travelling public by the Kearney system all the above objections are removed, a greatly accelerated average speed of travel and better ventilation are to be added and we are of the opinion Parliamentary powers could be obtained for this railway with comparative ease. We also believe with our Intimate knowledge of the requirements of London that such as is proposed would earn a handsome dividend. Mr. Noel Ridley M. I. C. E. M. C. I ins in his report says I" have carefully examined the drawings and calculations of the Kearney System of Railway construction and find that the system has been carefully thought out and the whole scheme is theoretically and practically sound". Writing to Earl Grey, Lord Northcliffe said :- " I do not know whether you will still have a mind your Crystal Palace project but if you have I think that the Kearney system could solve the problem.
Sir George Gibb in the course of a letter to Mr. Chalmers Kearney wrote :- " anyone taking a general interest in the subject of urban railway transit must recognise that the proposals you put forward if they could be realised would be of the greatest value and importance". On the 7th of this present month of August the Lord Mayor wrote to Me. Chalmers Kearney as follows:-
" I have inspected the particulars and plans of the proposed Strand and Crystal Palace railway which you have been kind enough to send me. I think that the line of route of the proposed railway is an excellent one, as it would tap several important suburban neighbourhoods and would place them as well as Crystal Palace within easy reach and rapid access of parts of the Metropolis. The proposed railway would be a great convenience to the public and posses all the elements of success".
( Signed) David Burnett Lord Mayor.
Scientific Opinion
Sir James W Szlumper M. I. C. E. and Mr. R. C. H. Davison M. I. C. E. in a lengthy report to Sir Charles Allom in response to his request on the scheme says' the present system adopted for the tube railways in London has not proved to be financially attractive and in our opinion the principal causes which have brought about that result are :-
(1) The enormous capital expenditure rendered necessary (a) By the construction of enlarged tubes stations and passages. (b) In providing land for stations except at the Bank Station of the Central London Railway where the Corporation of the City of London allowed the station to be constructed under the public roadway.
(2) The great increase in working expenses due to the conveying passengers to and from the stations by means of lifts which adds at least 8% to the working expenses and :
(3) The loss of revenue due to the fact that the tubes are not used by short distance traffic as the time saved by the train journey over any of the available means of surface transit is more than neutralised by the loss caused by waiting and using lifts and passing through lengthy passages and up and down numerous steps ; moreover these means of entrance and exit are in themselves not popular with the travelling public by the Kearney system all the above objections are removed, a greatly accelerated average speed of travel and better ventilation are to be added and we are of the opinion Parliamentary powers could be obtained for this railway with comparative ease. We also believe with our Intimate knowledge of the requirements of London that such as is proposed would earn a handsome dividend. Mr. Noel Ridley M. I. C. E. M. C. I ins in his report says I" have carefully examined the drawings and calculations of the Kearney System of Railway construction and find that the system has been carefully thought out and the whole scheme is theoretically and practically sound". Writing to Earl Grey, Lord Northcliffe said :- " I do not know whether you will still have a mind your Crystal Palace project but if you have I think that the Kearney system could solve the problem.
Sir George Gibb in the course of a letter to Mr. Chalmers Kearney wrote :- " anyone taking a general interest in the subject of urban railway transit must recognise that the proposals you put forward if they could be realised would be of the greatest value and importance". On the 7th of this present month of August the Lord Mayor wrote to Me. Chalmers Kearney as follows:-
" I have inspected the particulars and plans of the proposed Strand and Crystal Palace railway which you have been kind enough to send me. I think that the line of route of the proposed railway is an excellent one, as it would tap several important suburban neighbourhoods and would place them as well as Crystal Palace within easy reach and rapid access of parts of the Metropolis. The proposed railway would be a great convenience to the public and posses all the elements of success".
( Signed) David Burnett Lord Mayor.
Comments
Post a Comment