Edward Pease

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-

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CHAPTER VIII.

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-

The

Projects the Stockton and Darlington Railway

"Quakers' Line"-The Act obtained — Mr. Stephenson's introduction to

Mr. Pease The interview-Makes a new survey- Suggests improve-

ments Proposes the use of locomotives - Mr. Pease visits Killingworth

Mr. Stephenson appointed engineer to the Stockton and Darlington

Railway The working survey of the line- Mr. Stephenson's conversa-

tion - Commencement of a locomotive factory at Newcastle-Rails -

Gauge Tractive power

Completion of the line - Mr. Stephenson's

anticipations respecting railways - Opening of the line - The coal traffic

-First railway coach, the "Experiment" — Rival coach companies - The

beginnings of passenger traffic- Middlesborough-on-Tees.. 118-145

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CHAPTER IX.

-

Tramroad projected from Liverpool to Manchester-Immense increase of the

trade between these towns Mr. Sandars - Mr. Wm. James surveys a

line-Difficulties of the survey - Mr. James visits Killingworth —

Becomes partner in the locomotive-Public meetings at Liverpool, &c. -

A railway determined on- The first prospectus - Deputations to Killing.

worth-The railway re-surveyed by Mr. Stephenson - Opposition to the

survey- Overtures of conciliation - The opposition of the Canal Compa-

nies organized Newspaper articles-Opinions as to railway speed -

Article in the Quarterly'..

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146-160

CHAPTER X.

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-

The parliamentary contest on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway - - The
evidence taken Mr. Rastrick-Mr. Stephenson in the witness-box
States his experience — Alarming speed of twelve miles an hour!" Awk-
ward for the coo" - Is supposed to be mad - Mr. Harrison's speech - Mr.
Giles's evidence as to Chat-Moss Mr. Alderson's speech- Evidence
against locomotives - Mr. Adam's reply - Defeat of the bill-New survey
- Messrs. Rennie employed — The Act passed-Sir Isaac Coffin's speech
-- Mr. Stephenson appointed engineer of the railway
161-178

The resident engineers - Mr. Dixon's journey

over the Moss - Mr. Stephenson's idea of forming a floating road upon it

- Commencement of the work - Drainage — Difficulty in forming an

embankment on the Moss - The directors contemplate the abandonment of

the works- Mr. Stephenson urges them to persevere · The road formed
- Parr Moss-Cost of the work - The organizing of the labour - The

tunnel at Liverpool - Olive Mount cutting-Bridges - Sankey viaduct-

Mr. Cropper-The works pressed forward to completion Mr. Stephen-

son's daily life and habits at Liverpool - Evenings at home 179-198

CHAPTER XII.

-

-

Discussions as to the tractive power to be employed in working the line -

Mr. Telford's report unfavourable Variety of schemes suggested-Walker

and Rastrick's report in favour of fixed engines - Stephenson's defence of

the locomotive Prize offered for the best engine- The conditions

proposed - The Newcastle factory Robert Stephenson's return from

America Improvements in the locomotive -

ing of "The Rocket" - Its steam-blast - The competition at Rainhill -

The "Novelty" -The "Sanspareil ”. The "Perseverance"

of "The Rocket," and congratulations of the engineer

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-

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CHAPTER XIII.

-

The tubular boiler-Build-

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-

Triumph

199-220

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Completion of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway - Acknowledgment of
Mr. Stephenson's skill and energy - The opening ceremony - Fatal acci-
dent to Mr. Huskisson · Commercial results of the railway- Details of
the working arranged — The road, carriage stock, and locomotive power
The railway workmen Alleged favouritism and monopoly Public
interest excited by Liverpool and Manchester Railway — Alarming stories
circulated in rural districts Increased speed of stage-coaches - Govern-
ment and the railways - The locomotive on common roads Numerous
new lines projected - Canterbury and Whitstable - Leicester and Swanning-
- Railways in Lancashire - Grand Junction London and Birmingham

project The Messrs. Stephenson appointed engineers Interview of a

deputation with Sir Astley Cooper - Opposition to the line- The Act

passed and the landlords "conciliated"- Formidable character of the works

- Blisworth cutting-Kilsby tunnel - English railway navvies 221-249

ton

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Mr. Stephenson's residence at Alton Grange-Leases Snibston colliery -
Local improvements effected - Private life at Alton-Takes an office in
London - Surveys of new lines of railway- The Manchester and Leeds —
- Incident in Committee - The Littleborough Tunnel - North Midland
-Heavy character of the works - Bull-bridge - His interest in Midland
coal-traffic-York and North Midland- Estimates Surveys of lines
in Scotland and the North of England - Habits of accurate observation

CONTENTS.

xi

-

– Proposes a line across Morecambe Bay-Specimen of his railway journeys
- Anecdote of the robins at Alton Grange- Journey into Belgium - Is
made Knight of the Order of Leopold Public celebration at Ghent-
The turnpike roads improved by the English Government, to compete with
the railways - Openings of through lines - Advantages of railway travel-
ling generally recognized
250-287

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CHAPTER XV.

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The

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Mr. Stephenson leases the Claycross colliery - Removes to Tapton House -

British Association meeting at Newcastle in 1838 Visits Killingworth -

Partial retirement from the profession of engineer - Leases Tapton colliery

Proposed railway testimonial - Mr. Stephenson's interest in Mechanics'

Institutes- Examined before a railway committee in 1841 - Views on

railway speed - Undulating railway theory - The railway mania - Words

of caution Rage for direct lines- Want of foresight in Parliament —

Board of Trade Report - Letter to Sir Robert Peel - Completion of East

Coast route from London to Newcastle- The atmospheric railway-

Struggle in Parliament for the Newcastle and Berwick line- Hudson's

testimonial to Stephenson - High Level bridge - Visit to Belgium - Inter-

view with King Leopold - Visit to Spain-Illness and return 288-317

-

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CHAPTER XVI.

Life at Tapton Horticultural pursuits-Theory of vegetation and feeding

-

-

*Sir Robert Peel- The Claycross Workmen's-Institute - Opening of the
Trent Valley Railway, and public celebration at Tamworth - Railway
celebration at Manchester Meeting with Emerson - Illness and death-
Statues - His personal appearance — Character — Self-reliance — Improve-
ment of time- Laborious diligence - His thoroughness — Energy — Debt
repaid by his son to the Newcastle Institute - Generosity - Patience
Stephenson compared with Watt-Deportment - Fullness and accuracy of
his information-Hatred of humbug - Ornamental initials - Declines
entering Parliament
318-350

- Offer of knighthood - Conclusion

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-

-

THE great northern coal-field of Durham and Northumberland extends in an almost unbroken direction from the Tees to the Tweed. It runs along, and indeed dips under, the coast-line of the German Ocean, extending irregularly inwards into both counties, in some parts to a considerable distance. This immense field underlies some eight hundred square miles of country; and the working of the coal from the various seams gives employment to a large number of workpeople.

B