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**, R E PORT
3o \º
, G \*
ON THE
PRACTICABILITY OF FORMING
THE TRUNK
LIN E OF RAILWAY
FROM
NEWCASTLE TO BERWICK
BY
WAY OF A LIN WICK.
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vº-
BY MESSRS. gandai's BRUNTON,
tº CIWIL ENGINEERS.
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Read and approved at a Public Meeting of the Inhabitants of Alnwick held
in the Town-Hall, on Monday, January 27th, 1845.
A L N WI C K : º
PRINTED BY widAvison, 22, Bondgate STREET*.'; ; ;
I 84 5.
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Bee-kºt,
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|te 9 & 9 - Alnwick, 27th January, 1845.
TO THE ALNWICK RAILWAY COMMITTEE.
GENTLEMEN, -Having had the honour to receive your instruc-
tions to ascertain the l’racticability of forming the Trunk Line
of Railway from Newcastle upon Tyne to Berwick upon Tweed
by way of Alnwick, and to Report to you upon the advantages
to be gained by the adoption of such a Route, we proceeded care-
fully to examine the Country and to take the necessary levels.
The section having been completed and sufficient informa-
tion obtained to enable us to form a correct judgment of the
matter referred to us, we have now the honour to lay before
you the result of our investigations, and the views which a
careful consideration of the entire question has led us to take.
You are aware that it is proposed to lay before Parliament
for consideration this Session the Plans and Sections of two
Lines of Railway from Newcastle upon Tyne to Berwick upon
Tweed. The one selected by Mr. Brunel, the other by the
Messrs. Stephenson.
Both of these projected Lines pass nearly three miles to the
east of the Town of Alnwick. Messrs. Stephenson propose to
make a Branch Line to this Town from Lesbury, with steep
gradients. Mr. Brunel has not proposed any Branch Line to
Alnwick.
To the consideration of these two Lines as compared with
the Line by way of Alnwick we shall now address ourselves.
Mr. Brunel proposes in the working of his Line to adopt
the principle of Atmospheric traction.
It would be totally irrelevant for us to discuss in this
Report the merits of this comparatively untried system. It is
sufficient for us to say, that if it be the best system, then with
such gradients as those adopted by Mr. Brunel, there could be
no possible difficulty in forming a Line of Railway through a
Country presenting far greater engineering obstacles than any
which exist on the Line we propose by the way of Alnwick.
Messrs. Stephenson's Line, on the contrary, presents good
locomotive gradients, and it has been our object to select a
Line that in distance, gradients, and the works required for
the formation of the Line should bear comparison with theirs.
In ascertaining the practicability of forming the Trunk
Line by way of Alnwick, it has only been necessary to ex-
amine the Country between Morpeth and Belford, as the other
two proposed Lines pass near to these Towns.
Commencing then at Morpeth, we will first proceed to
trace the route selected by the Messrs. Stephenson.
Passing near to the T own the Line crosses the Wansbeck
about a mile east of Morpeth, keeps to the east of Pegsworth
and Crowden Mill, after which it curves rapidly to the north,
4
passing through Chevington Wood, leaving the Town of
Felton more than two miles to the west, thence to the west of
Acklington, crossing the Coquet near Walk Mill, and leaving
Warkworth about a mile to the east. It proceeds then by
Shortridge towards Lesbury, running nearly parallel with the
Warkworth and Lesbury Turnpike Road. The Line crosses
the Aln to the west of Lesbury, proceeds by Longhoughton
towards Howick, which town it leaves about a mile to the east.
Then by Stamford and Gallowmoor Hall to Chat-Hill, from
which place it proceeds nearly in a direct line towards Belford,
approaching very near to that town on the east side.
The Line which we have selected between Morpeth and
Belford commences at the Road from Morpeth to Park House,
called on Messrs. Stephenson's Section, “Township Road to
Morpeth.”
We start from the point where Messrs. Stephenson's Line
crosses this road, adopting their datum line and level of the
Rails. Proceeding nearly due North we cross the Wansbeck
about half a mile nearer Morpeth than Messrs. Stephenson's
crossing, and proceed direct towards Tritlington, passing that
Village a short distance to the West. Thence we proceed by
Eshot Park and Eshot Mill to Felton, crossing the Coquet
close to that Town. The Line then proceeds to Low Acton
to the east of East Acton House, and thence into the Valley
through which run the Hampeth and Hazon Burns. Following
the course of this Valley the Line then crosses the Great North
Road just below Newton Moor, passes through the Quarry;
then close to Quarry House and on towards Alnwick, where
it again crosses the Great North Road on the South side of the
Percy Column and close to the Town. At this crossing we
should propose to make the Station for Alnwick. The Line
then after crossing the Road to Aller Burn crosses the Alnashort
distance to the East of the Road Bridge from Alnwick to
Denwick, leaves the Village of Denwick to the East and pro-
ceeds towards Heckley Fence, thence to the East of Charlton
Hall and Doxford House on to Chathill, where we purpose
again to join the Line proposed by Messrs. Stephenson, though
did time permit us to continue our Survey we believe a better
junction could be effected and distance saved by joining their
Line nearer to Belford.
Having now pointed out the route of these two Lines we
shall proceed to examine their comparative merits, as to distance,
gradients, and the works required for their formation.
The length of Messrs. Stephenson's Line from the point
where we commence together near Morpeth to Chathill, is
29 miles. - t
The length of their proposed Branch Line from Lesbury
to Alnwick is two miles and three quarters.
The length of the Line by way of Alnwick is 28 miles,
5
We thus effect a saving in distance in the Trunk Line of
one Mile, and including the Branch Line a total saving of
three and three quarter Miles.
A greater saving of distance might have been effected, but
we deemed it of importance to approach near to the Town of
Felton.
The gradients of Messrs. Stephenson's Line are good;
their steepest rates of inclination being 1 in 170 for 3; Miles,
and l in 150 for a distance of two Miles.
On the Line we have selected we are enabled to obtain
very good Locomotive gradients from Morpeth to the summit
at Newton Moor, a distance of 15 Miles, the greatest rate of
inclination being l in 200. -
Thence to the crossing of the Aln we adopt a gradient of
1 in 128. Rise to Rock Moor by a gradient of 1 in 160, and
fail into Messrs. Stephenson's Line by gradients of 1 in 231,
1 in 128, and l in 220.
It will be perceived that two of our gradients are somewhat
steeper than those adopted by Messrs. Stephenson, but they
are perfectly practicable Locomotive gradients.
In support of this opinion, we beg leave to lay before you
an Extract from the Report of Lieut. Colonel Sir Frederick
Smith of the Royal Engineers, who was instructed by Govern-
ment to report upon Mr. Locke's Clydesdale Lines. He writes
thus:–
“The gradients on Mr. Locke's two Clydesdale Lines are,
it is true, of an unusual character, the principal plane in both
cases being an almost continuous slope of 1 in 123, for a length
of 18 Miles; but on the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway there
is a plane of 1 in 106 of 4 Miles in length, which is worked
several times every day with passenger Trains at nearly the
average speed of the whole Line, and therefore there can be no
question of Mr. Locke's less steep though longer gradient
being also a practicable plane.”
We beg leave also to lay before you extracts from the
Report of Mr. Locke himself (one of the most eminent
Engineers of the day) upon the Clydesdale Lines, relative to
locomotive gradients. He writes thus:— -
“There can be no doubt that from past experience the
adoption of a plane similar to that in question” (namely 1 in
123 for a length of 18 miles) “need not be feared ; steeper
inclinations have already been worked with facility and security,
and although none have yet been made of so great a length,
still (as in the case of the Sheffield and Manchester Railway)
Lines are in progress almost similar in character, upon which
the communication between important districts is to be main-
tained; and the public mind is already prepared for any
inclination on which Locomotives can advantageously work,
providing time or money can be saved by it.”
6
“When the Locomotive was weak and imperfect, the effect
of gravity was too important and formidable to be surmounted,
and 10 feet in a mile (1 in 528) was the maximum, beyond
which engineers did not deem it prudent to go. Considerations
of economy, however, soon suggested the propriety of enlarging
this slope, and 1 in 330 became the prevailing gradient of the
day. This has again given way, and l in 250, l in 200, and
I in 176, have been subsequently introduced under the impres-
sion that the power of the Locomotive will keep pace with the
increasing requirements of those planes. Hitherto this expec-
tation has been realized. I have abundant opportunities of
witnessing, on the Grand Junction Railway, an engine moving
up a slope of 1 in 130, at more than 20 miles an hour, with
loads varying from 12 to 16 carriages; and I have witnessed
on the Rainhill Incline of 1 in 96, on the Liverpool and Man-
chester Railway, the same engine pass up at the rate of 24
miles an hour with from 8 to 10 coaches.”
“From these circumstances it is but fair to expect that
further improvements will continue to lessen the disadvantages
of steep gradients; and I believe that the timeis fast approaching,
when in order to do justice to the Railway system, economy
of construction will require the adoption of steeper gradients,
and that the saving thus effected in the original outlay will
afford ample compensation for the increased cost of working
those gradients.”
Mr. Locke also adds,--" The question of shortening dis-
tance presents similar considerations, and I believe we shall
hereafter find that, although to lengthen a Line in order to
save money may be legitimate, it by no means follows that to
increase its length in order to obtain somewhat more favourable
gradients will be attended with similar advantages.”
It must be borne in mind that these favourable remarks of
Sir Frederick Smith and Mr. Locke, relative to steep inclines
refer to gradients of far greater length and rate of inclination
than any which occur on the Line which we have selected.
We now proceed to consider the works required for the
formation of these proposed Lines.
Both Lines cross the rivers Wansbeck and Coquet, at
about the same height and nearly the same width, requiring
similar viaducts. We cross the river Aln at a height of 140
feet; Messrs. Stephenson at a height of 80 feet, but the width
of our crossing is considerably shorter than theirs.
The character of the works of both Lines is very similar,
with the exception of our summits at Newton Moor and Rock
Moor. At the former place we propose a Tunnel one mile in
length with rather heavy cuttings at each end. The average
depth of the Tunnel below the surface is 70 feet. In the
cutting at the south end we intersect the whinstone dyke about
50 feet in width, but at a point where a considerable portion of
7
**
it has been excavated for the use of the roads. It will also be
necessary at the south end of the Tunnel to form a new course
alongside the cutting for the brook which runs past the quarry.
At Rock Moor we have a considerable cutting, the average
depth of which is about 40 feet. The works we propose at
these two summits could be considerably decreased by our
adopting such gradients as those deemed perfectly practicable
by Sir Frederick Smith and Mr. Locke, but as we have (as
compared with Messrs. Stephenson's Line) a saving, including
the Branch to Alnwick, of 3% miles in distance, we consider
the amount saved by such a shortening of the Line will cover
the expence incurred in improving the gradients over these
summits; it should be borne in mind too, that in calculating
the amount saved by a shortening of the distance in the forma-
tion of a Line, it is not only first outlay that must be taken
into consideration, but the constant future expenditure that
would be required for its maintenance and repair.
It must also be mentioned that the cuttings are either
through Sandstone, Freestone, or Limestone; all admirably
adapted for building the bridges, viaducts, culverts, and other
works necessary in the formation of the Railway. We should
here remark that in laying out this Line we have been most
desirous so to select it as not to interfere with the privacy of
His Grace the Duke of Northumberland. It crosses the Aln at a
spot where it cannot be seen from the Castle, and does not pass
through any portion whatever of His Grace's ornamental grounds.
Referring then to the first part of your instructions, we are
enabled most safely to assure you, that it is not only practicable
to form the Trunk Line by way of Alnwick, but that a Line
can be obtained shorter in distance than the other proposed
Lines, and possessing good Locomotive gradients.
In laying out the main Trunk Lines of the Kingdom when
very serious engineering difficulties present themselves in
approaching the different towns upon the road, it cannot be
expected that Railway Proprietors should sacrifice their own
interests in favour of such towns. But when no serious
difficulties exist, when a Line can be obtained with good
Locomotive gradients, and when, as in the present case, a
saving of distance can be effected, it is imperative upon the
legislature to protect existing interests, and it is equally
imperative upon the owners of property to protect such property
from deterioration and ruin.
That property in towns does suffer very materially indeed
when the great stream of communication is diverted by Lines
of Railway passing at a distance from them, experience fully
proves. St. Albans, Dunstable, Stoney Stratford, Daventry,
Towcester, Dunchurch, and other towns on the Holyhead
road; Uxbridge, Newbury, Marlborough, Hungerford, &c.
on the western road; Hitchin, Huntingdon, Stamford, Gran-
tham, Newark on Trent, Bawtry, Doncaster, Northallerton,
8
&c. on the north road; and many other towns on the principal
roads of the kingdom afford ample proof of this fact. Whilst
the injury inflicted upon towns by the stream of communication
being diverted from them by Lines of Railway passing at a
distance is so very great, the advantages gained by being
situated on the main lines are of proportionable magnitude.
Increased facility of communication always opens new
sources of prosperity and creates new wants. The new popula-
tion introduced by this modern mode of transit, or the fact that
men always flock to points on the main roads of the kingdom,
as fully proved by the history of most towns on the present
turnpike roads, has already caused in many instances new
towns to spring up at Railway Stations.
By being situated on the main Trunk Line, Alnwick could
give and would benefit by the accommodation required. By
having a direct communication with Newcastle and the coal
districts, coal could be supplied at a considerably cheaper rate
than that at which it is now obtained.
The agricultural produce also of the surrounding country
would be poured into Alnwick for conveyance to the south.
By the formation of the main Line by way of your ancient
town, that direct communication which has so long and so
necessarily subsisted between the county town and Newcastle,
Morpeth, and Felton to the south, and Belford, Berwick, and
Edinburgh to the north, would be maintained and improved.
The Line by way of Alnwick affords also accommodation
to many more towns and a much larger population, than the
Line nearer the coast. A glance at the Map plainly shows
this. The places situate on or near the Line are the towns of
Alnwick, Felton, Morpeth, Shilbottle, and Ellingham. To
the west of the Line are situate Rothbury, Edlingham, Egling-
ham, Whittingham, Glanton, Longhorsley, Wooler, Ilderton,
Ingram, Chatton, and Chillingham; comprising altogether a
population of 27244. This is independent of the scattered
population of the vales of the Aln, Coquet, and Wansbeck.
The places approached by the Line nearer the coast are
Warkworth, Alnmouth, Lesbury, and Howick, which together
with Morpeth, which is common to both Lines, comprise only
a population of 9099.
The direct Line by Alnwick passes also through a district
abounding in Coal, Limestone, and ores of Iron, and there is
no doubt that many Mines would be opened out if the facilities
of Railway communication were afforded.
Having now touched upon all the points submitted to our
consideration, we have the honour to remain, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servants,
JOHN H. GANDELL,
JOHN BRUNTON,
CIVIL ENGINEERS.
R. E POR T
OF THE
ALNWICK RAILWAY COMMITTEE,
PRESENTED TO THE
Public Meeting held in the Town-Hall, on Monday, Jan. 27, 1845.
**
YoUR Committee, having made considerable progress in the objects of
the meeting at which they were appointed, have considered it proper to
convene another Public Meeting, and beg to report their proceedings.
The first step was to intimate respectfully to His Grace the Duke of
Northumberland the resolutions of the meeting, a copy of which was
enclosed in the following letter from Mr. Davison, as Chairman, to His
Grace.
Alnwick, 6 Nov., 1844.
My Lord Duke, By direction of the Committee appointed at a public
meeting of the inhabitants of Alnwick, with reference to the projected
line of railway communication between Newcastle upon Tyne and
Berwick upon Tweed, I have the honour to enclose a copy of the resolu-
tions to Your Grace, and to inform Your Grace that a memorial will be
presented to Your Grace without delay.
I have the honour to be, my Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient and humble Servant,
WILLIAM DAVISON, Chairman.
To His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K. G.
Your Committee also with all practicable despatch forwarded a
memorial to His Grace as follows:—
To the Most Noble Hugh Duke of Northumberland, K. G.
The Memorial of the Committee specially appointed at a public
meeting of the inhabitants of Alnwick, held in the Town-
Hall, on the 4th November, 1844,
Respectfully represents,
That the important consequences involved
in the circumstances in which this memorial has originated will, your
memorialists hope, at once present an explanation and apology for
troubling Your Grace upon the subject.
That a line of railway communication has been completed between
London and Newcastle upon Tyne. A similar line under parliamentary
sanction is in progress of completion between Edinburgh and Berwick
upon Tweed. An intermediate line of railway between Newcastle upon
Tyne and Berwick upon Tweed, through the eastern part of Northum-
berland, will, in all probability, be the inevitable consequence. Two
2
projects for this purpose are now occupying a great share of the public
attention. The one proposed by a company of which Mr. Hudson of
York is chairman, the other at the head of which is Lord Howick.
That the inhabitants of Alnwick have watched with much anxiety
the direction in which the respective projectors of these rival under-
takings propose the main line shall take with especial reference to the
town of Alnwick, and they have learned with alarm that neither party
intends to approach it at a less distance than three or four miles.
That it must be familiarly known to Your Grace that the effect of
taking a main line of railway in all other parts of the kingdom at such
a distance from provincial towns has been more or less ruinous to the
trade and real property of each according to the extent of their depen-
dance upon the course of traffic existing previously to its diversion. In
some places circumstanced similarly to Alnwick, the effect has been
almost total ruin. Your memorialists entertain the not unnatural fear
that if either of the proposed lines of railway be carried into effect, it will
destroy the existing trade, and depreciate to a great extent, if it do not
entirely annihilate, the house property of the town. The misery which
so sudden and extensive a disturbance of the existing relations of public
affairs and private arrangements will produce, forces upon your memori-
alists its most grave consideration, and will, your memorialists hope, be
regarded by Your Grace as a subject requiring a corresponding share of
attentl OIl.
The number of the inhabitants in the parish at the last census was
6636. The estimated annual value of the real property amounts to
nearly £32,000. For many centuries the town of Alnwick has been
regarded as one of the connecting points of the great line of public
communication, and since the formation of regular roads has had the
good fortune to be on the main highway between the metropolis of
England and that of Scotland. The produce of the vales to the west
and the surrounding country has chiefly been conducted through
Alnwick; but it is easy to foresee, that, unless the main line of public
communication be continued, the sources of its present trade will be
drained off from it; and, instead of being the recipient, it will be but
the isolated feeder to the prosperity of some more favoured spot.
With a view to avert, if possible, so great a calamity, and as a matter
of the first importance, the inhabitants of Alnwick have simultaneously
held a meeting, convened by a requisition signed by upwards of 500
inhabitants in order to adopt the measures referred to in the resolutions,
a copy of which accompanies this memorial.
Your Grace's memorialists are aware that great social improvements
often require a sacrifice on the part of individuals both of profit and of
pleasure; and while they are perfectly prepared to yield in a just pro-
portion to the good of the community at large, they cannot but reflect
that they and their property—the offspring and result of so many gener-
ations of industry, form a portion integral, and of sufficient importance
in this local community, to merit the careful consideration of those to
whom, either in their enactment or execution, such important changes
are confided.
The first step in the opinion of your Grace's memorialists is to address
Your Grace, to whom and to whose ancestors the inhabitants have so often
been indebted for promoting the public interests of the town, and in the
full conviction that Your Grace in particular will take a deep interest in
a matter which affects the very existence of the place.
3
Your memorialists respectfully represent that it is desirable a proper
survey should be made, and sections should be immediately taken, to
ascertain the practicability of bringing the main line of railway close to
the south end of the town, and thence northwards, without prejudicially
interfering with Your Grace's ornamental grounds. With this view your
memorialists on behalf of themselves and the other inhabitants of Alnwick
respectfully solicit on the part of Your Grace such aid and co-operation,
either by way of contribution to the expense of such survey, or by such
other assistance as Your Grace may deem most likely to promote the
important object in view. Your memorialists would be further obliged
by being favoured with Your Grace's sentiments to the extent at least of
an assurance, that the direction of a line so near to the town will not
only experience no opposition from, but rather receive the countenance
and assistance of Your Grace.
On behalf of the Committee,
(Signed) WILLIAM DAVISON, Chairman
On the same day Mr. Davison received a letter from Mr. Blackden,
which with Mr. Davison's reply are subjoined.
Alnwick Castle, 7 Nov. 1844.
Sir,-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to the
Duke of Northumberland of yesterday's date, together with some printed
resolutions passed at a public meeting held in this town on Monday
last. In reply to which His Grace wishes me to inform you...that the
line of country to which you allude has already been examined by two
railway Engineers of the first eminence, and that it has been by them
pronounced to be impracticable for a public railroad. And that therefore
any attempt at a survey would be a useless waste of money.
I have the honour to be,
Sir, your very obedient Servant,
Mr. Davison, Alnwick. J. C. BLACKDEN.
Alnwick, November 8th, 1844.
Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter,
acknowledging, on behalf of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland,
the receipt of a letter from me enclosing a copy of the resolutions of a
public meeting. That letter was intended as a respectful intimation of
the meeting to His Grace, but not as a substitute for the memorial
which was prepared and adopted at a meeting of the Committee on
Wednesday Evening, and forwarded to His Grace. I am not aware of
the two Engineers to whom you allude; but it has been ascertained that
the Engineer of one Line has only hastily glanced at one part of the
Vicinity, and the acting Engineer of Mr. Hudson's Line admitted he did
not come further west than Trobe's Dean; another Engineer unconnected
with either of the proposed Railway Companies, who has surveyed a
considerable part of the Line, and who, I am informed, has taken Sections,
has declared it to be quite practicable, and the conclusion left on the
minds of the Committee is that the impracticability of such a Line with
respect to Locomotive Gradients has yet to be shewn.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient humble Servant,
W. DAVISON, Chairman of the Committee.
J. C. BLACKDEN, Esq., Alnwick Castle.
4
Your Committee feeling assured that His Grace, if satisfied of
its practicability, would gladly co-operate in securing a main Line of
Railway to the Town,-to prevent its extinction,-and deeming it a duty
to the present inhabitants and their posterity to test this important fact,
lost no time in engaging Messrs. Gandell and Brunton to ascertain the
nature of the Country with reference to Locomotive Purposes. In the
meantime the following letters were received from Mr. Blackden.
Commissioners’ Office, Alnwick Castle, 8 November. 1844.
Sir, I am directed by His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, to
acknowledge the receipt of the memorial of the Committee specially
appointed at a public meeting of the Inhabitants of Alnwick, held in
the Town-Hall, on the 4th instant, respecting the proposed Line of
Railway from Newcastle to Berwick.
His Grace has received no official intimation of the exact Lines of
Railroad to be suggested, or of the terms the speculators have to propose,
and must therefore decline offering any opinion on the subject. It is
evident that such an alteration in the mode of traffic will very materially
affect the Town of Alnwick; but the Railroad near the Town or about
three miles off, will not in the opinion of His Grace make that difference
which the memorialists seem to think.
The Duke understands that a Line of public Railway to pass nearer
to Alnwick than about Lesbury, has been examined by several Railroad
Engineers of the first eminence, as I formerly mentioned to you, and
pronounced to be impracticable. The Duke therefore must decline to
sanction any useless waste of money in a Survey as proposed by the
memorialists.
The utmost that can be expected according to His Grace's view, is
either a branch Railway, or an improvement of the road to Lesbury and
Alnmouth, probably the latter would be most beneficial to the Town ;
but when the proper time arrives, the Duke will be ready to consult the
owners of property as to which they think would be most conducive to
their interests.
I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,
(Signed) J. C. BLACKDEN.
Mr. William Davison, Chemist, Alnwick.
Alnwick Castle, 9th Nov. 1844.
Sir, Your letter of yesterday's date came to hand just as the answer to
the memorial was written, and I am not aware that it is necessary to
enter further into the subject.
I have the honour to be your obedient Servant,
J. C. BLACKDEN.
Mr. William Davison, Alnwick.
In order to act with courtesy, your Committee respectfully requested
permission from the various Landowners of property on the Line for
the Engineers to pass over their lands for the purpose of taking the
necessary levels. The following letter was addressed to His Grace on
the subject.
Ö
Alnwick, Nov. 25, 1844.
My Lord Duke, The Committee appointed at the public meeting of
the Inhabitants of Alnwick, on the 4th instant, having engaged an
Engineer to take levels to ascertain the practicability of bringing a Line
of Railway close to the Town of Alnwick, they hope that your Grace
will not object to his crossing the farms of your Grace for the purpose.
I have the honour to be, my Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient and humble Servant,
(Signed) WM. DAVISON.
To His Grace the Duke of Northumberland K. G., Alnwick Castle.
To which letter Mr. Davison was honoured with a reply as follows:—
Commissioners’ Office, Alnwick Castle, 27th November, 1844.
Sir, The Duke of Northumberland has referred your letter of the 25th
instant, to this Office, and I very much regret to find, that, in my last
communication to you, I did not make myself sufficiently intelligible.
I intended to explain to you and to the Committee, that the levels had
already been taken, and an opinion expressed by several Engineers of
the first eminence, who had decided that it was quite impracticable to
bring a general Railroad for the use of the public close to the Town of
Alnwick, I beg therefore now to inform you that the Duke distinctly
declines allowing any more Engineers to annoy his tenants, or to occupy
his own time, especially as the project can be attended with no other
effect, than a useless waste of money.
I have the honour to be your very obedient Servant,
(Signed) J. C. BLACKDEN.
Mr. W. Davison.
The Survey was made, and, with two exceptions, the, Engineers
experienced no opposition from the Landlords on the route.—On the
contrary, they were furnished with facilities and encouragement.
That the interests of the Town of Alnwick might not suffer from the
time necessarily required by the Engineers for the completion of their
report, your Committee addressed a letter to Lord Dalhousie, Vice-
President of the Board of Trade, as follows:–
To the Right Honourable the Earl of Dalhousie,
Vice-President of the Board of Trade.
My Lord, At present two Lines of Railway are projected to pass
through the County of Northumberland between the Towns of New-
castle and Berwick upon Tweed, with a view to connect the Eastern
Line of communication between London and Edinburgh. At the head
of one of these rival Lines is Lord Howick, with Mr Brunel as Engineer,
and the other Line is under the direction of Mr. Hudson, with Messrs.
Stephenson as Engineers. Both of these competing Lines are intended
to pass, by a circuitous course, and at a distance of three miles, the Town
of Alnwick, the ancient County Town of Northumberland. Since the
plans of the projected Lines were lodged, on the 30th of November
last, the Inhabitants of Alnwick have engaged the Services of eminent
Engineers to ascertain the practicability of a Line of Railway direct to
6
and from the Town, which shall be more conducive to the public
convenience of the Inhabitants and of the extensive district to the west,
So far as the Survey has proceeded, it has been found that the gradients
are favourable, and the distance is considerably shorter than that of the
competing Lines. As soon as practicable, the Survey will be completed
when a memorial from the Inhabitants of Alnwick, embodying the report
of the Engineers, will be presented to the Honourable the Board of
Trade, and they pray your Lordship to suspend the consideration of the
Northumberland Railways till the Survey is completed.
I am, my Lord, your Lordship's obedient humble Servant,
W. DAVISON,
Chairman of the public meeting and Committee
of the Inhabitants of Alnwick.
The Committee having been informed that an attempt was making
to avoid the consideration of the main Line, by diverting the attention
of the public to the question of a branch Railway or a road to Lesbury
and Alnmouth, issued the following handbill:—
RAILWAY BY ALNWICK.
The Railway Committee respectfully inform the Inhabitants of Alnwick,
that the Report of their Engineer, showing the practicability of bringing
a Direct Line of Railway close to the Town, will be ready in a few days,
when a Public Meeting will be convened. In the mean time, the
Committee respectfully request the Inhabitants not to give their sanction
or signatures to any scheme that may be proposed for a Branch Railway
or an Improved Road to Lesbury and Alnmouth, until the Engineer's
Report on the Direct Line be fully and fairly taken into consideration
at the Public Meeting.
* Alnwick, Jan. 17, 1845.
The Committee also addressed another letter to Lord Dalhousie as
follows:–
To the Right Honourable the Earl of Dalhousie, Vice-President
of the Board of Trade.
My Lord,
Referring Your Lordship to my letter of the 6th instant : I have the
honour to acquaint you that the survey of the line of railway by Alnwick
is now complete. The Committee would feel obliged to Your Lordship
naming what day after Tuesday it will be convenient for you to receive
a deputation from the town relative to this line.
I am, my Lord,
Your Lordship's obedient, humble Servant,
(Signed) WILLIAM DAVISON.
Since then your Committee have received Messrs. Gandell and
Brunton's Report, a Copy of which is appended.
7
At the public meeting of the Inhabitants of Alnwick, held in the Town-
Hall, on Monday, January 27th, 1845, (Mr. W. Davison in the chair),
Mr. Busby moved that Messrs. Gandell and Branton's Report be received
and confirmed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Biesley and carried
unanimously.
Mr. Thomas Duncan moved the adoption of the following Memorial
to the Board of Trade, also a Petition embodying the same to the House
of Commons. The motion was seconded by Mr. Morton, and carried
unanimously.
To the Honourable the Board constituted by the minute of
the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for
the transaction of Railway business.
The memorial of the undersigned owners and occupiers of
property in the Parish of Alnwick, in the County
of Northumberland,
Respectfully she weth,
That notices have been given by two rival
companies for the formation of a Line of Railway between Newcastle
and Berwick, with a view to complete the Line of Railway communica-
tion between London and Edinburgh. At the head of one of these
projects known as the Northumberland Railway, is Lord Howick, with
Mr. Brunel as Engineer. The other Line, called the Newcastle and
Berwick Railway, is headed by Mr. Hudson of York, with Messrs.
Stephenson as Engineers.
That the Inhabitants of Alnwick view with the utmost astonishment
and alarm, the design of both of the rival companies to carry the Line
of Railway at a distance of three miles to the east of the Town of
Alnwick; and should this design be carried into effect, it will inevitably
prove, as it has uniformly done with respect to places similarly circum-
stanced, deeply injurious to the fixed property, and ruinous to the trade
of the Town.
That the Town of Alnwick has for ages enjoyed the privileges of a
public thoroughfare, and it has grown into importance by the post road
and the traffic between London and Edinburgh passing through it.
It is the County Town of Northumberland, where the County Court of
the Sheriff is held monthly, and the Quarter Sessions of the peace once
a year. The population of the parish is 6636, and the gross estimated
rental on which the poor rate assessment is made amounts to £32,000
per annum. It has a weekly market for corn, provisions, and other
articles; the quantity of grain sold having amounted in some years from
50,000 to 70,000 quarters, producing from £ 100,000 to £142,000.
There are three principal Fairs for Cattle, Sheep, and Horses, and for
general merchandise, held in the Town during the year, besides large
markets for hirings. The Mail and four other stage Coaches pass north
and south daily ; between fifty, and sixty carriers attend the weekly
market, and a considerable number on other days. Several extensive
concerns are carried on in the Town. There are four Bank Agencies,
several wholesale and retail Grocers, Drapers, Wine and Spirit Mer-
chants, Brewers and Maltsters, Tanners and Leather Dressers, besides
an Iron Foundry, a Coach Manufactory, and other establishments of
respectability. All persons in business would suffer greatly, and several
trades would be greatly diminished, if not entirely extinguished, if the
8.
ancient-thoroughfare, on which the Town has so long been dependant, ,
be removed to a distance of three miles from it. vº,
That your memorialists are assured that no physical obstacle whatever.
exists to the formation of a line of railway direct to the town of Alnwick,
nearly along the present route through the centre of the most populous
parts of the county of Northumberland. And your memorialists solicit
the special attention of your honourable Board to the accompanying
report of Messrs. Gandell and Brunton, engineers, shewing the practica-
bility of a direct line of railway to Alnwick, one mile shorter in the main
line than that projected by Messrs. Stephenson, and with perfectly
practicable engineering gradients; besides rendering unnecessary a
proposed branch of nearly three miles. p
That your memorialists are of opinion, that the competing lines of
railway are not projected to secure the public convenience and accom-
modation, as they are designed to leave out some of the chief towns, and
to pass through a thinly populated district, near the borders of the sea,
which furnishes of itself a natural and commodious conveyance, and
renders inland communication, so far as that part of the district is con-
cerned, entirely superfluous and absurd.
That your memorialists are of opinion that a line of railway direct to
the town of Alnwick will confer the greatest amount of public benefit,
and become ultimately as a speculation more profitable to projectors.
It will embrace the most central and populous section of the country,
passing through a district abounding with coal, limestone, iron ore, and
other minerals, and open new channels of enterprise in addition to those
already in operation. It would be of great advantage to the important
agricultural district to the west, and it would not only increase the
general prosperity, but avert all the train of disastrous consequences of
that rapid and overwhelming depreciation of house property, and the
certain destruction of trade, which will unfortunately take place by the
removal of the ancient thoroughfare to a distance of three miles from
the town.
Your memorialists therefore pray that your honourable Board will
direct an inquiry by a competent engineer of the ordnance department
into the allegations of your memorialists as regards the practicability and
expediency of a direct line of railway by the town of Alnwick, and that
your honourable Board will see sufficient reason to withhold your assent
from the mere speculative schemes of projectors for personal gain, having
no regard to the public convenience of the community.
And your memorialists will ever pray, &c.
On the motion of Mr. Busby, seconded by Mr. Forster, the thanks
of the meeting were unanimously voted to Messrs. Gandell and Brunton
for their services; for which Mr. Gandell returned thanks on behalf of
Mr. Brunton and himself.
Thanks were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting concluded
with cheers for the success of the main line of Railway to Alnwick.
W. DAVISON, TRINTER, A LNW ICK.
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