was a striking improvement on its predecessors. It drew a train of passengers and coaches weighing 76 tons inclusive from Liverpool to Manchester in 2 hours and 39 minutes!
The standard rail gauge of 4 feet 8½ inches had been fixed before Stephenson began as engineer, but he approved it as.a safe and reasonable gauge, and maintained it on the Stockton & Dartington, Liverpool & Manchester, Canterbury & Whitstable, and Leicester & Swannington railways. "They may be a long way apart now," he said, "but depend upon it they will be joined together some day."
The first bogey engine was built by Messrs. Carmichael & Co.. Dundee, "The Earl of Airlie," which commenced work on the Dundee & Newtyle Railway, September, 1833, and ran until 1850.
The early railway tickets were metal discs, which the passenger received at one station and gave up for further use when he alighted.
The Canterbury & Whitstable Railway referred to was opened on May 3rd, 1830, the first train being drawn by the company's only locomotive, "Invicta," built by Stephenson & Co. This engine is preserved at the Ashford Works of the South Eastern Railway Company.
One of the early tests of "The Planet" was on December 4th, 1830, conveying a special train of voters from Manchester to Liverpool for an election. "The time of setting out was delayed says the official report, "rendering it necessary to use extraordinary dispatch," and the journey was performed in sixty minutes, including a stop of two minutes for water. No. 11 engine, "Mercury," was delivered by Stephenson in December, 1830, of a considerably improved pattern and better appearance. It was of bigger dimensions and weighed thirteen tons, and it was followed in January, 1831, by two "goods" engines " of extraordinary power," and aptly named " Samson" and" Goliath." The former, in February, "accomplished the great feat" of drawing 164 tons, exclusive of engine and tender, from Liverpool to Manchester in 2½ hours! Stephenson built an engine of the same class to go to America (Hudson & Mohawk Railway) in 1831, and he named it "John Ball."
