As to wood, it would not last a week; they must be covered with iron, and that too very thick and strong.

The means of stopping these heavy carriages without a great shock, and of preventing them from running upon each other (for there would be many on the road at once) would be very difficult.

In case of accidental stops, or the necessary stops to take wood and water &c many accidents would happen.

The carriage of condensed water would be very troublesome.

Upon the whole, I fear the expense would be much greater than that of canals, without being so convenient."* * John Stevens, "Documents Tending to Prove the Superior Advantages of Rail-Ways and Steam-Carriages over Canal Navigation" (1819).