Railway: snow causes 3 hours of delay (1847)

Post date: Apr 09, 2012 10:27:19 AM

Extract from West Kent Guardian , 13th February 1847:

MAIDSTONE.—Snow on the Railways.—The 3.30 down train on Monday afternoon did not reach Maidstone till 6.15, above three hours after time, the snow offering such an impediment, that the train several times, on the Maidstone branch, came to a stand-still. Between Paddock Wood and Yalding, the train was compelled to wait for the express, to assist it. and soon after passing Wateringbury, the locomotive broke down, and further delay was caused in detaching it, the train being then propelled by the express engine alone, but was unable to reach the Maidstone station nearer than the ticket platform. We believe that much of the inconvenience might be avoided if brooms were attached to the fore part of the engine, which is in some cases done, but it is sometimes impracticable in consequence of the engine being very improperly propelled with the tender in front.