THE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 



about 1820. Then the Englishman, Thomas Gray, 

 suggested the construction of such a road between 

 Liverpool and Manchester, advocating steam as the 

 motive power. His idea was looked upon as visionary, 

 and as he persisted in his efforts to interest prominent 

 people in the scheme, he came to be very generally 

 regarded as an enthusiastic but somewhat crack- 

 brained fanatic. 



But meanwhile the coal railroads were being ex- 

 tended to such lengths that they were assuming the 

 proportions of modem railroads. The motive power 

 on most of the roads was horses, although here and 

 there a traction engine using chain or cable, was em- 

 ployed for certain purposes. In 1825, however, Stephen- 

 son began the construction of an improved locomotive, 

 this time at his own modest establishment; and a 

 little later this engine made the trial that really demon- 

 strated the possibilities of steam locomotion, although 

 this was not universally recognized until the success of 

 the Rocket a few years later. 



A great deal of excitement and speculation arose 

 throughout the country when the trial day approached. 

 Great crowds assembled from every direction to wit- 

 ness the trial; some, more sanguine, came to witness 

 the success, but far the greater portion came to see the 

 bubble burst. The proceedings began at Busselton in- 

 cline, where the stationary engine drew a train up the 

 incline on one side and let it down on the other. The 

 wagons were then loaded. 



"At the foot of this plane a locomotive, driven by 

 Mr. Stephenson himself, was attached to the train. It 



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