168 



THE LINE OPENED. 



CHAP. IX. 



) boasted travelling engine. The opening was, however, 

 auspicious. The proceedings commenced at Brusseltoii 

 Incline, about nine miles above Darlington, when the 

 fixed engine drew a train of loaded waggons up the 

 incline from the west, and lowered them on the east 



PKOCESSION AT THE OPENING OF THE STOCKTON AND DARLINGTON HALLWAY. 

 [Fac-siinile of a local lithograph.] 



side. At the foot of the incline a locomotive was 

 in readiness to receive them, Mr. Stephenson himself 

 driving the engine. The train consisted of six waggons 

 loaded with coals and flour ; after these was the pas- 

 senger-coach, filled with the directors and their friends, 

 and then twenty-one waggons fitted up with temporary 

 seats for passengers ; and lastly came six waggon-loads 

 of coals, making in all a train of thirty-eight vehicles. 

 The local chronicler of the day went almost out of 

 breath in describing the extraordinary event : " The 

 signal being given," he says, " the engine started off 

 with this immense train of carriages ; and such was its 

 velocity, that in some parts the speed was frequently 12 

 miles an hour." By the time the train reached Stockton 

 there were about 600 persons in the train or hanging 



