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The London Pneumatic Despatch Company (also known as the London Pneumatic Dispatch Company) was formed on 30 June 1859,〔Pneumatic Despatch Company (Limited), ''Prospectus''〕 to design, build and operate an underground railway system for the carrying of mail, parcels and light freight between locations in London. The system was used between 1863 and 1874. ==Background== Sir Rowland Hill of the General Post Office commissioned two engineers to investigate the feasibility of a pneumatic tube-based system between the General Post Office and the West District Central Post Office.〔''The International Year Book''. Dodd, Mead & Company, 1899〕 In 1855 and 1856 they reported favourably but there would be significant cost. The scheme was not progressed. In 1859 Thomas Webster Rammell and Josiah Latimer Clark proposed an underground tube network in central London "for the more speedy and convenient circulation of despatches and parcels".〔''Atmospheric Railways'', Charles Hadfield, 1967.〕 The company was founded in 1859 with offices at 6 Victoria Street, Westminster. Capital of £150,000 was sought through 15,000 shares at £10 each. The company's directors were its chairman Richard Temple-Grenville, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, deputy chairman Mark Huish, Thomas Brassey, Edwin Clark, the Hon. William Napier, John Horatio Lloyd, William Henry Smith and Sir Charles Henry John Rich. With initial funding of £25,000 (£}} in ), the company tested the technology and constructed a pilot route at the Soho Foundry of Boulton and Watt in Birmingham.〔''The Atmospheric Railways'', Francis Howard Clayton, 1966〕 The first full-scale trial was at Battersea during the summer of 1861.〔Wells Journal - Saturday 3 August 1861〕 A single tube was installed, 452 yards long, with curves of up to radius and gradients of up to 1 in 22. narrow gauge track was cast inside the tube. Wheeled capsules were fitted with vulcanised rubber flaps to make an air seal. Power was provided by a 30 horse-power steam engine with a diameter fan. Single capsules weighed up to 3 tonnes, and achieved speeds up to 40 mph (60 km/h). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「London Pneumatic Despatch Company」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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