The Life of George Stephenson and of his Son Robert Stephenson Comprising Also a History of the Invention and Introduction of the Railway Locomotive

CHAPTER XIV.

Chapter 1789 wordsPublic domain

ROBERT STEPHENSON CONSTRUCTS THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY.

The London and Birmingham Railway projected.--George and Robert Stephenson appointed Engineers.--An Opposition organized.--Public Meetings against the Scheme.--Robert Stephenson's Interview with Sir A. Cooper.--The Survey obstructed.--The Line resurveyed.--The Bill in Parliament.--Thrown out in the Lords.--The Project revived.--The Act obtained.--The Works let in Contracts.--Difficulties of the Undertaking.--The Line described.--Blisworth Cutting.--Primrose Hill Tunnel.--Kilsby Tunnel.--Its Construction described.--Failures of Contractors.--Magnitude of the Works.--The Railway navvies. 349