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It
is doubtful
whether any
single
invention
has so
transformed
the world
and opened
up the
continents
as the
railway. To
a large
extent its
conception
was due to
the
pioneering
and
revolutionary
work of
British
inventors
and
engineers
who then
spread their
achievements
throughout
the world. |
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In 1712, Thomas Newcomen
invented 'The Atmospheric Engine', a stationary steam engine. Many
of these were sold all over Britain and Europe. James Watt, a
mechanical engineer from Scotland, worked on steam-powered
experiments in his workshop for over a decade adapting Newcomen's
original design, with the aim of creating an engine 80% more
efficient. By 1775, after years of financial difficulties hindering
his attempts to build a full sized engine and obtain a patent, Watt
partnered Matthew Boulton, the owner of a foundry in Birmingham.
Together they sold their improved stationary steam engines and will
always be remembered for their vital role in the 'Industrial
Revolution' in Britain. |
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A replica
of 'Sans Pareil', originally built to compete in the
'Rainhill Trials'; at the 'Locomotion' museum, Shildon. |
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Even in Newcomen's day there were railways
of sorts, but as these were mainly in mines and quarries, on stone
or wooden tracks and man or horse-powered; hence their uses were
limited. However, in 1768, a company founded by Abraham Darby.I in
Coalbrookdale, Shropshire became the first in the world to
manufacture iron rails. In
February 1804, Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick's engine became
the first in the world to 'haul a load' on rails. It consisted of
five wagons, bearing a total weight of ten tons, at Penydarren
ironworks near Merthyr Tydfil.
This work was continued by George
Stephenson in the North-East. On 27th September 1825, his locomotive
named "Locomotion No. 1" was used for the opening of the 'Stockton
and Darlington Railway'. For nine miles it hauled coal, flour and
the first ever passengers on a railway, managing a top speed of 24
mph (unrivalled at that time!) and amply fulfilling Stephenson’s
prophecy that railways would become "the transport of the future". |
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It was not long before the rich cotton
manufacturers of the North-West, inspired by the success of
Stephenson in the North-East, began to think in terms of
constructing a railway linking Manchester with the port of
Liverpool. They held a contest to find the fastest
steam engine to use on this line. The resulting and infamous
'Rainhill Trials' took place on 6th October 1829; with the
overwhelming winner, Stephenson’s 'Rocket', achieving a phenomenal
top speed of 30 mph. He was then ordered to build the engines for
the 'Liverpool and Manchester Railway' line, which was opened on
15th September 1830. |
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George Stephenson's
'Rocket' at the 'Science Museum', London. |
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The line was
primarily
intended for
goods but
its
promoters
soon
realised how
lucrative
the
passenger
trade could
be too! The
next two
decades
witnessed
what became
known as the
great
"Railway
Mania" and,
by 1850,
London was
linked by
rail to
Dover,
Brighton,
Bristol,
Southampton,
Birmingham,
Liverpool,
Hull,
Manchester,
Leeds and
Newcastle
with
thousands
more miles
of track
either
planned or
under
construction,
mainly by
gangs of
Irish
"navvies"
escaping
from
starvation. |
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Rail transport had several real advantages
throughout the Victorian era and well into the twentieth century. It
could carry goods at a hitherto unheard-of speed and in greater
quantities than ever before, therefore assuring Britain’s place as a
foremost industrial nation. Moreover, for the first time, it made
inexpensive, comfortable travel possible for all - regardless of
wealth or class. |
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© Patricia Wallis,
OTRBOT |
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