orders to build seven other engines to he ready for the opening of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. These, constructed in 1830, were "Meteor," "Comet," "Arrow," "Dart," "Phoenix," "North Star," and "Northumbrian," all "outside" cylinder engines. When the line was opened on September 15th, these eight engines drew trains containing about 600 people in procession from Liverpool
The Northumbrian, | driven by George Stephenson. |
Phoenix | driven by„ Robert Stephenson. |
North Star | driven by„ Robert Stephenson (brother of George). |
Rocket | driven by„ Joseph Locke. |
Dart | driven by„ T.C. Gooch. |
Comet | driven by„ William Allcard. |
Arrow | driven by„ F. Swanwick. |
Meteor | driven by„ Anthony Harding. |
It was at this triumphal opening that Mr. Huskisson was knocked down and run over by "The Rocket" at Parkside, and George Stephenson ran the dying man fifteen miles in 25 minutes, a speed of 36 miles an hour, on "The Northumbrian," to Eccles Hospital. Mr. Huskisson was a member for Liverpool, and had rendered great service in getting the Bill through Parliament. He had just stepped aside to speak to the Duke of Wellington, who was on the train, when be was knocked down. A monument at Parkside, 17 miles from Liverpool, marks the spot. On the following day the regular traffic of the line commenced, and "The Northumbrian" conveyed a train of 130 people from Lime Street. Liverpool, to Manchester (Liverpool Road Station), a distance of 30 miles 53 chains, in one hour and 50 minutes. The reader may recall how John Ridd, the hero in "Lorna Doone," thought it was tempting Providence when stage coaches began to run at twelve miles an hour. When "The Rocket' made 36 miles a world's record in speed was attained.
"The Planet," tried for the first time on December 4th, 1830,