The Liverpool and Manchester Railway (L&MR) was the world's first inter-city passenger railway in which all the trains were timetabled and were hauled for most of the distance solely by steam locomotives.
Planet replica
This edited article about railways originally appeared in Look and Learn issue number 967 published on 20 September 1980.
On the great day, 15th September, 1830, eight trains, all to be drawn by Stephenson-built locomotives, were assembled at Liverpool’s Edge Hill station, ready to make the run to Manchester. The engines were built on the same general lines as the Rocket, but some incorporated improvements, especially the Northumbrian.
Opening Liverpool and Manchester Railway
The first man to be killed by a train
Huskisson is the first person in history whose death from a railway accident has been widely noted.(Earlier deaths due to being struck by a steam locomotive occurred in 1821 and 1827, and fatal boiler explosions in 1815 and 1828.) While attending the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, Huskisson rode down the line in the same train as the Duke of Wellington.
Early Images of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway - 1833
........ the L&MR had the distinction of being the world's first intercity railway. Thus, the article gives an insight into how those living in the 1830s perceived the early railways.
The Liverpool and Manchester Railway was opened on 15 September 1830 and on 11 November 1830 the Liverpool and Manchester Railway was the first regular passenger service to carry mail for the Post Office. Mail coaches of the day were pulled by locos as depicted on the postcard. The illustration shows the train in 1831.
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Northumbrian
The locomotive ''Northumbrian'', ''circa'' 1830. (Some sources name this locomotive as Stephenson's ''Rocket'', but this is incorrect; ''Rocket'' was yellow at this time, and of a different external design.
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The following photographs were taken in April 2009.
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Replica of Robert Stephenson's locomotive, the "Rocket". The "Rocket" took part in the Rainhill Trials in October 1829. Ten locomotives were originally entered for the Trials, but only five turned up and two of these were withdrawn during the first couple of days of the trials. A further two suffered mechanical problems, and by the third day, the "Rocket" was the only locomotive left in the competition. That day it covered 35 miles in 3 hours 12 minutes. Hauling 13 tons of loaded wagons, the "Rocket" averaged over 12 mph. On one trip it reached 25 mph and on a locomotive-only run, 29 mph.
The replica "Rocket" with reproduction carriages.
At the end of the Trial, the owners of the "Rocket" were awarded the £500 first prize.
The contract to produce locomotives for the Liverpool & Manchester Railway
went to the Robert Stephenson Company at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The original "Rocket" is preserved in the Science Museum in London.
Close up of the Rocket's reproduction carriages in Liverpool & Manchester Railway Company livery.
Remains of Stephenson's 'Rocket' (1829) on display
Remains of Stephenson's 'Rocket', 1829. On display in the 'Making the Modern World' gallery, Science Museum, London. The Rocket, designed by Robert Stephenson (1803-1859) became famous after winning the Rainhill Trials of 1829. The Rainhill Trials were a series of speed tests to find the best locomotive for haulage on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. After winning the competition the Rocket ran on the Liverpool & Manchester Railway (1829-1836) and the Midgeholme Colliery Railway (1836-1840).
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