Locomotion No 1

From Freepedia

Locomotion No. 1 is an early British steam locomotive. Built by Robert Stephenson and Co in 1825, it hauled the first train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway on September 27 1825.

Overview

It was effectively a beam engine on wheels with vertical cylinders. It was the first engine to use coupling rods rather than chains to drive its 0-4-0 wheel arrangement.

In 1828 the boiler exploded, killing the driver. With advances in design such as Stephenson's Rocket, Locomotion became obsolete very quickly. It was rebuilt and remained in service until 1841 when it was turned into a stationary engine. In 1857 it was preserved, and is now part of the National Collection.

The locomotive is now at the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, formerly Darlington's North Road Station, on long-term loan from the National Railway Museum. From 1892 to 1975 it was on display on one of the platforms at Darlington's other station, Bank Top, which is still in operation.

There is a replica of the locomotive at Beamish Museum.