Stephenson's Rocket

WALHT: Write an informative report

Title: Stephenson’s rocket

The Stephenson’s rocket was an early locomotive meaning it was used to pull trains. It was built by George Stephenson and his son Robert in 1829 as a machine to compete in the Rainhill trials. George created many other locomotives but none of those were known as or considered ‘Rocket’.

George’s locomotive had a tall smokestack which looked like a small chimney at the front, a cylinder shaped boiler in the middle and a separate firebox at the back. It was made to enter the Rainhill trials. The Rocket also used a blastpipe which feeds exhaust steam from the cylinders into the chimney or ‘smokestack’.

It was in service between the 30’s and 40’s but the time was only vaguely documented.  From 1830 - 1834 it was in service in Liverpool and Manchester railways. After its service on L&MR (Liverpool and Manchester railways) it was used in 1836 - 1840 on Lord Carlisle’s Railway near Brampton, in Cumberland now called ‘Cumbria’. When it was introduced into L&MRs on the 15th of September in the year 1830 there was a tragic event William Huskisson (Member of Parliament of Liverpool) who was struck and killed by the Rocket at Parkside.

Trials were held by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company. The purpose was to find the best locomotive engine for a railway line, which was built to serve to English cities . On the day of the Trials, 15,000 people came along to see the race of the locomotives.

Stephenson’s locomotive reached speeds of 24 miles per hour during its 20 laps. I was able to do this by the several new features. It was the first locomotive to have a multi - tube boiler or smokestack. Click the link inside this word to see an animation on how it worked and also to build its engine using questions linked with the parts purpose.

What George Stephenson built along with his son was truly remarkable but sadly George died of pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura) at an age of 67, despite his passing his legacy still lives on today .

Stephenson’s Rocket