Train Engine Collection

Rainhill Trials October 1829
These trials for early steam locomotives were run at Rainhill, near Liverpool, UK, to determine which would be used on the newly-completed railway from Liverpool to Manchester

Two men hit by a train illustration from Le Petit Journal: Supplement illustre
STC415973 Two men hit by a train illustration from Le Petit Journal: Supplement illustre, 1898 (litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Welsh Highland Railway, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom

Train

George Stephenson, British engineer C017 / 7109
George Stephenson (1781-1848), British engineer and pioneer of railway locomotives. Working on steam engines in coal mines from the age of 14, Stephenson taught himself engineering

Fell mountain railway system, 1880s C017 / 6911
Fell mountain railway system. 19th-century artwork of a mountain railway based on the Fell system, developed in the 1860s by British railway engineer John Barraclough Fell (1815-1902)

Riggenbach cog railway system, 1880s C017 / 6910
Riggenbach cog railway system. 19th-century artwork of a locomotive on a cog railway based on the Riggenbach system. This cog (or rack)

Hardie compressed air locomotive, 1880s C017 / 6842
Hardie compressed air locomotive. 19th-century artwork of the compressed air locomotive developed in 1878 by US inventor Robert Hardie with backing from US civil engineer Herman Haupt

Hedleys Puffing Billy, 1813
Hedleys Puffing Billy. This early steam locomotive was built in the period 1813-1814 by the British engineer William Hedley (1779-1843)

Stephenson locomotive, 1815
Stephensons 1815 locomotive. This early steam locomotive was built in around 1815 by the British engineer George Stephenson (1781-1848)

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Revolutionizing Transportation: The Train Engine's Historic Journey" Step back in time to the Rainhill Trials of October 1829, a pivotal moment in the history of train engines. These trials marked a significant milestone as locomotives competed to prove their worthiness for passenger transportation. Witnessing this fierce competition was George Stephenson, a British engineer whose brilliance would forever change the world. Intriguingly captured by an illustration from Le Petit Journal: Supplement illustre, we see two men caught in awe-inspiring wonder as they witness the power and speed of these magnificent machines. Little did they know that this event would shape the future of transportation. Fast forward to Welsh Highland Railway in Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales - a place where dreams became reality. Here lies evidence of countless hours spent perfecting every detail of these iron horses that conquered mountains and valleys alike. The names Fell mountain railway system and Riggenbach cog railway system evoke memories of innovation during the 1880s when engineers pushed boundaries to conquer challenging terrains with their ingenious designs. But it wasn't just steam-powered locomotives that left their mark on history; Hardie compressed air locomotive emerged during this era too, showcasing alternative technologies that were explored with equal enthusiasm. However, let us not forget Hedley's Puffing Billy - an early pioneer born way back in 1813. This humble yet remarkable creation laid down foundations for what was yet to come – proving that even small beginnings can lead to monumental achievements. And then there was Stephenson's Rocket - an iconic symbol representing progress and triumph. In 1829, its sleek design and incredible performance at Rainhill Trials solidified Stephenson's legacy as one of Britain's greatest engineers ever known. Before all these marvels came into existence though, there was another groundbreaking invention – Stephensons' locomotive from 1815.