Croydon and Epsom Railway
Encyclopedia
The Croydon and Epsom Railway was an early railway in southern England running between the two Surrey
towns mentioned in its name. The company was formed March 1844 to operate a new line using the atmospheric principle
. However, before its line was opened it was amalgamated with other companies to form the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) on 27 July 1846.
(LCR), encouraged its directors to form a new independent company to continue the line to Epsom
. This was approved by shareholders at a Meeting 7 March 1844. The railway was then experimenting in the use of atmospheric propulsion
and decided to use the Samuel Clegg
and Jacob and Joseph Samuda
system patented in 1838. However, difficulties in acquiring suitable land meant that the line was not completed in 1846 as originally planned.
The company was merged with others to form the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) on 27 July 1846 before the line was completed. The railway opened to the public 10 May 1847, but by that time atmospheric working had been abandoned by the new company.
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
towns mentioned in its name. The company was formed March 1844 to operate a new line using the atmospheric principle
Atmospheric railway
An atmospheric railway uses air pressure to provide power for propulsion. In one plan a pneumatic tube is laid between the rails, with a piston running in it suspended from the train through a sealable slot in the top of the tube. Alternatively, the whole tunnel may be the pneumatic tube with the...
. However, before its line was opened it was amalgamated with other companies to form the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) on 27 July 1846.
History
The early success of the London and Croydon RailwayLondon and Croydon Railway
The London and Croydon Railway was an early railway which operated between London and Croydon in England. It was opened in 1839 and in July 1846 it merged with other railways to form a part of the London Brighton and South Coast Railway ....
(LCR), encouraged its directors to form a new independent company to continue the line to Epsom
Epsom
Epsom is a town in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England. Small parts of Epsom are in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. The town is located south-south-west of Charing Cross, within the Greater London Urban Area. The town lies on the chalk downland of Epsom Downs.-History:Epsom lies...
. This was approved by shareholders at a Meeting 7 March 1844. The railway was then experimenting in the use of atmospheric propulsion
Atmospheric railway
An atmospheric railway uses air pressure to provide power for propulsion. In one plan a pneumatic tube is laid between the rails, with a piston running in it suspended from the train through a sealable slot in the top of the tube. Alternatively, the whole tunnel may be the pneumatic tube with the...
and decided to use the Samuel Clegg
Samuel Clegg
Samuel Clegg was a British civil engineer.Clegg was born at Manchester on 2 March 1781, received a scientific education under the care of Dr. Dalton. He was then apprenticed to Boulton and Watt, and at the Soho Manufactory witnessed many of William Murdoch's earlier experiments in the use of coal...
and Jacob and Joseph Samuda
Samuda Brothers
Samuda Brothers was an engineering and ship building firm at Cubitt Town on the Isle of Dogs in London, founded by Jacob and Joseph d'Aguilar Samuda. The site is now occupied by Samuda Estate....
system patented in 1838. However, difficulties in acquiring suitable land meant that the line was not completed in 1846 as originally planned.
The company was merged with others to form the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) on 27 July 1846 before the line was completed. The railway opened to the public 10 May 1847, but by that time atmospheric working had been abandoned by the new company.