Letter and envelope from John Wesley Hackworth, Rugby to Timothy Hackworth, Soho Works

Rugby Dec 1st 1849

My dear Father
I suppose you will have heard the statements from time to time about our procedure we have had a very rough start but I think I may say we are now on a better futting we have (with one exception) kept or mad[e] time with the Mail train which they consider a bad train to work I think we ought to be very thankfull to know that we are able to save 9 or 10 Pounds per mile over their Engines which I think they see very plainly and I trust they will be able to appreciate it the heaviest train we have had yet is 16 carriages the lightest 12 but I am fully persuaded we are a match for any of he Stephensons Patents (which they have a great many of from different makers) I mean as regards weight – but they cant manage the Trains Busies[?] Engines take with 16 inch Cylinders 2 feet stroke 6 feet Dr wheel they run away like fun with from 25 to 30 carriages. Yesterday one of our axle boxes got hot and today we have been obliged to stop in and have her lifted I am very sorry for this as it may give us trouble for some time. Mr Crawford the Locomotive Superintendant here is very kind in fact he is the best man we have met with he is very straightforward altho you may think him clanish because he is a Scotchman but he is the best man we have seen he will do any thing for us he can and he is perfectly satisfied we are burning less coke than any of them I dont think he says or does this to make you think well of him for I dont think he cares what any body think off him.

I will write you again in a few days and say how we are getting on. But I am perfectly satisfied we are right in Coke provided we were in every thing els[e] which I trust will not be long I feel thankful for Mr Hunters letter a letter does cheer one up I must now conclude Present my love to all at home. We were glad to hear that Mother is better

I am my dear Father
Your affectionate Son
John W Hackworth

P.S. Jones & Potts dont come to hand ½ Past 4 Jones & Potts has just arrived Mr MacConall has introduced me to Mr Potts the engine looks very well she has 16in cylinders 20in stroke 6feet6in wheels in side cylinders 4 bearings on widest shaft 2 in side and 2 out excentrics[?] outside like Stephensons on the Berwick I think we will be sixe[?] for her she had a hot fore end axle when she came in and the revercing weighbar stuck hard fast in the carriers which are solid eyes I think we will be able to show them the way if all keeps right they have about the same heating surface as us but a great deal more weight over the fore end axle it will be well if ever they run cool more by and by
I am my dear Father
Your affectionate Son
John W Hackworth