2-798-989 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Nickel's New Railway, 1845. 'Messrs. Keene and Nickels have just patented a novel system of Railway Locomotion, which is founded on principles stated not to have been hitherto applied to the communication of mechanical motion. The patentees have constructed a working model of their invention in York road, Waterloo-road, which has been already inspected by several persons of scientific eminence...The proprietors term their system a new Atmospheric Method of Propulsion; but this name is unphilosophically incorrect. Atmospheric Air is, certainly, the propulsive agent; but its elasticity is the property made available in this invention; so that all gaseous bodies might be made serviceable for the above purpose. In short, as observed in the Railway Record, "the system is founded on the expansive force of a compressed aeriform fluid; and might, with propriety, be designated, Propulsion by the Expansion of Condensed Air or Gas"'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.