Highways and Locomotives (Amendment) Act 1878

28 Weight of locomotives and construction of wheels

Section three of the [24 & 25 Vict. c. 70.] Locomotive Act, 1861, and section five of the [28 & 29 Vict. c. 83.] Locomotive Act, 1865, are hereby repealed, so far as relates to England, and in lieu thereof be it enacted that it shall not be lawful to use on any turnpike road or highway a locomotive constructed otherwise than in accordance with the following provisions; (that is to say,)

(1) A locomotive not drawing any carriage, and not exceeding in weight three tons, shall have the tires of the wheels thereof not less than three inches in width, with an additional inch for every ton or fraction of a ton above the first three tons ; and

(2) A locomotive drawing any waggon or carriage shall have the tires of the driving wheels thereof not less than two inches in width for every ton in weight of the locomotive, unless the diameter of such wheels shall exceed five feet, when the width of the tires may be reduced in the same proportion as the diameter of the wheels is increased, but in such case the width of such tires shall not be less than fourteen inches; and

(3) A locomotive shall not exceed nine feet in width or fourteen tons in weight, except as herein-after provided ; and

(4) The driving wheels of a locomotive shall be cylindrical and smooth-soled, or shod with diagonal cross-bars of not less , than three inches in width nor more than three quarters of an inch in thickness, extending the full breadth of the tire, and the space intervening between each such crossbar shall not exceed three inches.

The owner of any locomotive used contrary to the foregoing provisions shall for every such offence be liable to a fine not exceeding five pounds: Provided that the mayor, aldermen, and commons in the city of London, and the Metropolitan Board o Works in the metropolis, exclusive of the city of London, and the council of any borough which has a separate court of quarter sessions, and the county authority of any county, may, on the application of the owner of any locomotive exceeding nine feet in width or fourteen tons in weight, authorise such locomotive to be used on any turnpike road or highway within the areas respectively above mentioned, or part of any such road or highway, under such conditions (if any) as to them may appear desirable. Provided also, that the owner of a locomotive used contrary to the provisions of sub-section two of this section shall not be deemed guilty of an offence under this section if he proves to the satisfaction of the court having cognizance of the case that such locomotive was constructed before the passing of this Act, and that the tires of the wheels thereof are not less than nine inches in width.