The first public railway

In these days of space travel it may be outmoded to talk of the first public railway in the world. But 160 years ago, the only public land transport was the horse-drawn coach. The idea of utilizing locomotives for haulage of passengers and goods was as romantically exciting then as that of space travel today.

Indeed the construction of the first public railway— the Stockton and Darlington railway in England—is one of the most fascinating events  in modern history. It is a story of the long struggle against natural obstacles and human prejudice. Two names are inseparably associated with its projection and construction—George Stephenson, engineer (he is rightly called the ‘father of the railways’) and Edward Pease, financer, the man “who could see a hundred years ahead.”

The railway was first projected in 1817. Twice, the Bill authorizing construction of a tramway from Wilton to Stockton was put forward. But the opposition locally and in the Parliament, was tremendous. A man without the indomitable courage and perseverance possessed by Pease would have abandoned the project as hopeless. In 1819, the third application was send to Parliament, this time with success.

Even then the promoters had no idea of employing a locomotive on the line. The public were free to use the tramway with horses on payment of toll to the company. Hearing this, Stephenson whose locomotives had already won him fame at Killingworth colliery, approached Pease one afternoon in 1821 with the request that he might be allowed to undertake the construction of the line. This momentous interview marked a turning point in history.

Pease was pleased with his visitor. He even paid a visit to Killingworth to see the working of Stephenson’s locomotive. So impressed was he by Stephenson’s faith in the steam engine that he won over his fellow promoters. Ultimately, it was decided to adopt a railway instead of a tramway as was originally proposed. A clause to this effect was inserted in the Act of Parliament, authorizing the employment of locomotives for the haulage of passengers and goods.

Stephenson was appointed the company’s engineer. With his 18-year old son Robert to help him, Stephenson went ahead surveying and preparing the route. The first rail of this epoch-making railway was laid with great ceremony at Stockton on May 23, 1822. The actual construction was a tremendous job. Hewing out cuttings and building bridges and embankments. All had to be done manually as there were no bulldozers in those days. By July 13, 1823, 22 miles of line had been completed.

Meanwhile orders had been placed for  three locomotives from Stephenson. There was much scepticism among the directors about the success of the travelling engines. But Pease and some of his friends had confidence in the genius and business ability of Stephenson.

The railway was opened  on September 27, 1825, amid tremendous excitement and enthusiasm. Stephenson’s engine ‘Locomotive No. 1’ had the honour of hauling the first train on the opening day. As the ‘Locomotive’ let forth a burst of steam from her safety valve, the crowds panicked, thinking the monster would blow up.

 But the imperturbable Stephenson merely smiled and opened the regulator. With a clatter, the train of 21 trucks jolted forward preceded by a signal by a man on horse back. There were seats for 300 people, but about 600 managed  to clamber aboard. “The signal being given”, says  a contemporary account of the journey, ‘the engine started off with this immense train carriages, and such was its velocity, that in some parts the speed was frequently 12 miles an hour!—. The arrival at  Stockton excited a deep interest and admiration.’