Chapter 15

GEORGE STEPHENSON'S COAL MINES--THE ATMOSPHERIC SYSTEM--RAILWAY MANIA--VISITS TO BELGIUM AND SPAIN.

George Stephenson on railways and 275-300 coal-traffic--Leases the Claycross estate, and sinks for coal--His extensive lime-works--Removes to Tapton House--British Association at Newcastle--Appears at Mechanics' Institutes--Speech at Leeds--His self-acting brake--His views of railway speed--Theory of "undulating lines"--Chester and Birkenhead Company--Stephenson's liberality--Atmospheric railways projected--Stephenson opposes the principle of working--The railway mania--Stephenson resists, and warns against it--George Hudson, "Railway King"--Parliament and the mania--Stephenson's letter to Sir R. Peel--Again visits Belgium--Interviews with King Leopold--Journey into Spain