OF RAIL-ROADS.

in

steep ascent; and since that time they havebeen much used upon the Rail-roads in theneighbourhood of Newcastle.

The following are the different kinds ofplanes with which I am acquainted, and themanner of surmounting them :—

1. Plane, or inclination, when the gravityof the carriages which have to pass downw ardis sufficient to drag the rope after them, bywhich rope the returning train are drawn upby a steam-engine. This may be dividedinto single or double lines of road ; if single,one train of carriages only are in action at atime, and one rope only is used, the descend-ing train drawing the rope out upon the planeto which the ascending carriages are attached,and thus drawm up.

2. If double, then there is a double line ofroad, or one similar to a self-acting plane;the descending train of carriages passing downone side, and the ascending train are drawn upat the same time. In this case, if there beany excess or preponderance of gravity in theloaded carriages, above that which is requiredto drag the rope down the plane, this pre-ponderance comes in aid of, and assists, theengine in dragging the returning carriagesup the plane.

3. When the carriages are to be conveyed