Yesterday’s post featured a description (from 1832) of what the author believed to be the first steam coach in Britain.

Here, however, we have an engraving of a steam coach that was used in and around London in 1827.

According to the caption on the image itself:  “The Guide or Engineer is seated in front, having a lever rod from the two guide wheels to turn and direct the Carriage and another at his right hand connecting with the main Steam Pipe by which he regulates the motion of the Vehicle. The hind part of the Coach contains the machinery for producing the Steam, on a novel and secure principle, which is conveyed by Pipes to the Cylinders beneath and by its action on the hind wheels sets the Carriage in motion. The Tank, which contains about 60 Gallons of water, is placed under the body of the Coach and is its full length and breadth. The Chimneys are fixed on the top of the hind boot and as coke is used for fuel, there will be no smoke while any hot or rarified air produced will by dispelled by the action of the Vehicle. At different stations on a journey the Coach receives fresh supplies of fuel and water. The full length of the Carriage is from 15 to 20 feet, and its weight about 2 tons. The rate of traveling is intended to be from 8 to 10 miles per hour. The present Steam Carriage carries 6 inside and 12 outside Passengers. The front Boot contains the Luggage. It has been constructed by Mr. Goldsworthy Gurney, the Inventor and Patentee.”

.