The Beaumont Compressed-Air Engine

The Beaumont Compressed-Air Engine, for tramways, 1881. Invention of Colonel Beaumont, R.E. 'An important step...towards the mechanical working of tramways by the introduction of the Beaumont compressed-air engine on the Stratford and Epping Forest branch of the North Metropolitan Tramways...The air compressor is on what is known as the "stage" principle, the air being compressed in a series of cylinders of gradually decreasing diameter. From the compressors the air is conducted...to the street in the Broadway...where there is a flexible hose attachment for filling the reservoir on the engine. This operation occupies about fifteen minutes, during which time the compressing engine is working...the pressure at starting being 1000 lb. per square inch. The distance from Stratford to Leytonstone is two and a quarter miles and an ascent the whole way...The run was accomplished in twenty-two minutes...The engine...ran with remarkable smoothness and scarcely any noise...it is stated that only at first horses were a little startled now and then at seeing a large vehicle moving along without horses and apparently without wheels...The next desirable step would be its adoption on the underground railways, for which it would seem to be eminently adapted'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881. Creator: Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)