Through the courtesy of Mr John Shearman, a Watford resident, we are able to give our readers the following account taken from “Turner’s Annual Tour” (1834), of a run on a steam coach from Bushey Heath to Watford and back. The vehicle was constructed in 1833. The article states:

“Drawn out of a hut in Bushey Heath by the appearance of an unusual commotion amongst the inhabitants of the village, we saw a steam coach which stopped there. The apparition of a vehicle of this kind, in such a place, was unaccountable.

“Bushey Heath forms the plateau of a mountain which is the highest point of land in Middlesex and, although so far inland, serves as a landmark for vessels at sea. The access to it, from the London side, is by a difficult and steep road.

“Being accosted by Colonel Maceroni, in whom we were glad to recognise an old acquaintance, he informed us that his journey had been performed with ease adding that it was his intention to proceed to Watford.

“Now, if the road from Edgware to Bushey Heath was steep and difficult, the descent from Bushey Heath to Watford was much worse. We told our friend that he might go by steam to Watford but that we were quite certain he would not return by the same means of locomotion. Nevertheless, at his pressing instance, we consented to hazard our own person in the adventure.

“We set off, amidst the cheers of the villagers. The motion was so steady that we could have read with ease and the noise was no worse than that produced by a common vehicle.

“On arriving at the summit of Clay-hill, the local and inexperienced attendant neglected to clog the wheel until it became impossible. We went thundering down the hill at the rate of 30mph.

“Mr Squire was steersman and never lost his presence of mind.

“It may be conceived what amazement a thing of this kind, flashing through the village of Bushey, occasioned amongst the inhabitants.

“The people seemed petrified on seeing a carriage without horses.

“In the busy and populous town of Watford the sensation was similar – the men gazed in speechless wonder; the women clapped their hands.

“We turned round at the end of the street in magnificent style and ascended Clay-hill at the same rate as the stage coaches drawn by five horses and at length regained our starting place.”