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Dublin - Kingstown (3): press reports The press reported enthusiastically on the opening of the Dublin to Kingstown railroad. The Dublin Evening Post noted on Thursday, December 18, 1834: This splendid work was yesterday opened to the public for the regular transmission of passengers to and from Kingstown, and the immediate stage at the Black-rock. Notwithstanding the early hour at which the first train started, half-past nine o'clock, the carriages were filled by a very fashionable concourse of persons, and the greatest eagerness was manifested to witness the first operations of the works. Up to a quarter past five the line from Merrion to Salthill was thronged with spectators, who loudly cheered each train that passed them. The average rate at which the trip was performed yesterday was nineteen minutes and a half, including a delay of about two minutes at the Rock, where passengers were taken up.- Much confusion was occasioned at starting by the want of proper arrangement, but this inconvenience will be very easily obviated. The utmost precautions were, however, taken to prevent the possibility of accident, by stationing men at proper intervals along the road, and the trains at starting were propelled slowly for a short distance for the same object. Although there could not have been less than from three to four thousand persons upon the railway during the day, we are happy to state that these very necessary precautions were attended with the desired effect. The Times of Monday, December 22, 1834 published this report: Ireland (From our own correspondent.) Dublin, Dec 17. This day our Kingstown Railroad opened, under very favourable auspices. Crowds thronged the offices at West-land-row, and every hour a full train of carriages started "at high pressure". Every one engaged in the works seems in excellent spirits at the satisfactory state of the road, engines, carriages, &c. All the machinery works well as yet, except one in particular: the springs are not sufficiently elastic to prevent sudden shocks when the carriages stop. Three or four gentlemen had on one occasion to-day their heads knocked against each other and the carriage doors, and severe contusions were the consequence. A county of Kildare gentleman's head was laid open. The majority had, however, hard Irish heads, and did not mind a few knocks. The directors have prepared a splendid entertainment at Kingstown for their friends and the subscribers for the undertaking. The weather is delightful for December, and a few broken heads does not throw much damp on a scene of Irish amusement, where everything else goes well.
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