The life of George Stephenson, railway engineer

Pp. 29-34

CHAP. VI.

Killingworth Colliery. -- Death of his Wife. - Journey into Scotland.

Makes an Improvement in a Pumping Apparatus at Montrose.

Appointed Brakesman at Killingworth. - Intends emigrating to the

United States. Takes a Contract for Engine-brakeing. - Makes

Improvements in Pumping Engines, and acquires Celebrity as a

Pump-curer

35-47

CHAP. VII.

Self-improvement. - His Studies with John Wigham, the Farmer's Son.
Sends his Son to School. -The Cottage at West Moor.-Ingenuity

of his Contrivances. - Is appointed Engine-wright of the Colliery.

Erects his First Engine. - Evening Studies. - His Obligations to the

Newcastle Literary Institute

48-58

CHAP. VIII.

The Beginnings of Railways and Locomotives. — Early Tramroads. ·
Speculations as to mechanical Methods of Traction. - Cugnot's Model
Locomotive. Symington's Model. — Murdock's Model. - Treve-
thick's Steam-carriage and Locomotive. - Blenkinsop's Engine. — Mr.
Blackett's Experiments at Wylam
59-82

CHAP. IX.

Mr. Stephenson contemplates building a Locomotive. Is encouraged
by Lord Ravensworth. - Want of competent Mechanics. Mr. Ste-
phenson's First Locomotive described. Successful Application of the
Steam Blast. - His Second Locomotive. - Summary of the important
Results effected

Blasts in the Killing-

worth Pit. Mr. Stephenson's Experiments with Fire-damp. - Con-
trives the First practicable Miners' Safety Lamp. - Its Trial in the
Killingworth Pit.-Further Experiments and Improvements on the
Lamp. Exhibited at Newcastle

97-112

The Invention of the Tube Lamp. - Mr. Stephenson charged with

Pirating Sir H. Davy's Idea. — His Reply. — Dates of the respective

Inventions. Controversy on the Subject. Testimonials presented

Summary of Evidence as to the Invention of

Pp. 113-134

to both the Inventors.

the Lamp

CHAP. XII.

Further Improvements in the Locomotive. Invents an improved Rail

Experiments on Friction and

Superiority of Iron Roads

over Paved Roads

135-146

CHAP. XIII.

His Self-education continued. Views on Education. The Sun-dial at
Killingworth. Apprentices his Son as Underviewer at the Colliery.-
Sends him to Edinburgh University

Phillips's Prophetic Anticipations. - William James. - Edward Pease,
Projector of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. — Thomas Gray. -
Mr. Stephenson constructs the Hetton Railway

Defective Communication between Liverpool and Manchester.
Tramroad projected. Mr. James surveys a Line. — Visits Mr.
Stephenson at Killingworth. - Is admitted to an Interest in the
Patent Locomotive. - Fails in introducing it. Fails to produce his
Plans of the Liverpool Tramroad -

Mr. Stephenson's Introduction to Mr. Pease. - Is appointed Engineer to

the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Proposed Employment of Locomotives.

Mr. Pease visits Killingworth

CHAP. XVII.

Working Survey of the Stockton and Darlington Line. - Locomotive
Factory at Newcastle commenced. Wrought-iron Rails adopted.
The Gauge of the Railway settled. The Tractive Power to be
employed. Anticipations of Railway Results.- Public Opening of
the Line. The "Experiment.". Rival Coach Companies. - Race
between Locomotive and Coach. Results of the Traffic.

Creation

Project of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway revived. The Canal
Companies' Opposition. Provisional Committee formed. - Their
Visits to Killingworth. Mr. Stephenson appointed to Survey a Line.
Difficulties encountered. - Articles in the "Scotsman" and "Quar-

terly" on Railways

209-225

CHAP. XIX.

The Liverpool and Manchester Bill in Committee of the House of Com-

mons. Mr. Stephenson in the Witness Box. - Mr. Giles proves the

Impossibility of forming a Railway over Chat Moss.- Mr. Stephenson's

Ignorance denounced by the Counsel for the Opposition. Mr.

Adam's Appeal. Defeat of essential Clauses, and Withdrawal of the

226-243

Bill

CHAP. XX.

Renewed Application to Parliament for the Liverpool and Manchester
Bill. - Messrs. Rennie selected as Parliamentary Engineers. Passing
of the Act. Mr. Stephenson appointed chief Engineer. — Formation
of the Road over Chat Moss. The Directors contemplate the Aban-
donment of the Work. - Mr. Stephenson's Perseverance. - His Or-
ganisation of Labour. -The Railway Navvy. - Progress of the
Works. Private Life and Habits at Liverpool

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General Opposition to the Locomotive.-Mr. Telford's Report.-Variety

chester Railway. - Messrs. Walker and Rastrick's Report in favour

of fixed Engines. Mr. Stephenson's strenuous Advocacy of the

Locomotive. The Directors offer a Prize of 500l. for the best

Engine

CHAP. XXII.

The Newcastle Locomotive Foundry. - Robert Stephenson's Return

from America. - Rencontre with Trevethick. The Building of the

"Rocket.". · Contrivance of the Multi-tubular Boiler. - Mr. R.

Stephenson's Account. - Mr. Booth's Account.-Modification of the

Blast-Pipe. The "Rocket" finished and sent to Liverpool

Pp. 280-294.

CHAP. XXIII.

The Locomotive Competition at Rainhill.—Entry of Engines for the
Prize. The Judges appointed. The "Rocket" stript for the Race.
-The "Novelty."- The "
Sans-pareil."- The Performances of the
"Rocket."-Wins the Prize. Congratulations of Mr. Stephenson.—
The End of the "Rocket"

295-302

CHAP. XXIV.

Completion of the Liverpool and Manchester Line.—The Public Opening.

- Fatal Accident to Mr. Huskisson. - Lord Brougham's Panegyric

of the Railway. - Commercial Results of the Undertaking. — Fur-

ther Improvements in the Locomotive. — Alleged Monopoly. - The

Workmen employed. — Improvement of the Road and Rolling

Stock

303-317

CHAP. XXV.

Importance of Mr. Stephenson's Invention of the Passenger Engine.
Government and Railways.-Joint Stock Companies. - New Railways
projected and made. — The London and Birmingham Railway. The
Kilsby Tunnel. - Excess in the Cost of Construction beyond the
Estimates.-Magnitude of the Works.- Comparison with the Great
318-339

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