Public Transport Gallery

Stephensons Rocket 1829

Stephenson's Rocket, coloured historical artwork. Stephenson's Steam Locomotive, patented in 1829, competed in trials held by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company at Rainhill. It completed 20 laps of the course and attained a top speed of 38 kilometres per hour.It was the only locomotive to sucessfully complete the trials and won the competition. New features in its design included a multi-tube boiler with 25 copper tubes and a blast pipe to increase the efficiency of the boiler. The Rocket was designed by George Stephenson and his son Robert, with the assistance of Henry Booth

© Sheila Terry

Uniform cap worn by Pullman Porter Philip Henry Logan, 1966. Creator: Unknown

A black cap with metallic braid trim and a label reading PULLMAN PORTER in black. Being a Pullman porter was one of the jobs that helped build the black middle class in America, and Pullman porters were key figures in the civil-rights movement. The bill is made of black patent leather and a label inside the hat reads, "For: P.H. Logan / Date: 8-29-66 / No. J-585054."

© Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Char-a-banc presented to Her Majesty by the King of the French, 1844

The Char-a-banc presented to Her Majesty by the King of the French, 1844. Queen Victoria and King Louis Philippe of France ride from the Queen's Entrance at Windsor Castle to Twickenham. This elegant vehicle is a modification of the family jaunting van of Normandy...It is built to accommodate eight persons; the body of the carriage being divided into four double seats. A neat canopy, supported by brass pillars, protects the company against the sun...The framework of the carriage is light, but substantial, firmly girded with iron fittings, and suited to the traffic of rougher roads than are ordinarily found in this country...Approach to the seats is gained from the sides, by three steps, which close and shut in beneath the floor of the carriage'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images