He travelled on behalf of the Victorian Railways with Thomas Higinbotham, to England, Europe, Russia and the USA to examine railway construction in these places, and reported that more economical methods could be used to advantage. This ushered in a new phase of construction of the 'light lines', with less elaborate structures, steeper grades and tighter curves to reduce the earthworks required.Railway Construction, Report of a trip by Mr Elsdon, VR Commissioner for Railways and Mr. Higinbotham, Victorian Railways Engineer-in-Chief, to England, Europe, Russia and the USA, 1871 He was presented with an elaborate silver server set in 1869, in recognition of his contribution to railways in Victoria.
