From October 6 through 14, 1829, a competition was held in Rainhill to find a locomotive that could maintain a speed of ten mph for a round trip totaling thirty-five miles, the distance separating Liverpool and Manchester, which were soon to be linked by the world's first passenger railway. George and Robert Stephenson's Rocket won the competition, but the Rocket was not necessarily the superior locomotive. Rail, Steam, and Speed explains why and offers an absorbing account of the trials, people, and science that gave birth to steam locomotion.
Author(s): Chris McGowan
Edition: First Edition Thus
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Year: 2004
Language: English
Commentary: 176952
Pages: 395
Cover......Page 1
Title Page......Page 4
Copyright Page......Page 5
Contents......Page 6
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 8
1 The sport of kings......Page 16
2 Lessons from the past......Page 47
3 The London challenge......Page 77
4 A man of principles......Page 95
5 Up from the mine......Page 115
6 Famous son of a famous father......Page 150
7 Rocket on trial......Page 172
8 The people’s choice......Page 206
9 The dark horse......Page 216
10 Winning day......Page 231
11 Triumph and tragedy......Page 246
12 Boom and bust......Page 277
13 Beginnings and endings......Page 285
NOTES......Page 332
INDEX......Page 369
CREDITS......Page 395
