Here come the Trains A quick history of the iron chefs

I remember a time when my son Marc asked me about the history of trains. I explained to him that the first trains were used in ironworks and coal mines. I then explained that a Cornish engineer named Richard Trevithick had constructed the very first steam powered train locomotive. It operated out of the city of South Wales in 1804. I told Marc, that in 1825, another engineer named George Stephenson formed the first commuter railway, which ran from Darlington to Stockton, which is in the northern part of England. By today's standards, it may not seem like much but that first steam powered engine traveled at a speed of 24kph for a distance of 65 kilometers.

The excitement over the new railways was now set in motion. In 1829, a new railway line was planned between the city of Manchester and Liverpool. To add a little spice to the situation a competition was organized to decide which locomotive would be purchased for the proposed line. Rainhill, which was near Liverpool, had a carnival atmosphere as huge crowds gather in anticipation of the upcoming competition. Troubles seemed to plaques each entry as one by one they dropped at the wayside. The Perseverance was simply to slow for the competition while the San Pareil developed mechanical difficulties during the complete competition. Finally, it narrowed down to George Stephenson winning the 500-pound prize with his steam engine called the Rocket. The Rocket traveled the distance of 113 kilometers at a rate of 24kph. Amazingly, during the competition the Rocket reached a maximum speed of 46kph, not bad for the time. Needless, to say George Stephenson engineered the Manchester to Liverpool Railway system. The new system was operation by September of 1830 and the first passenger to travel on it was the duke of Wellington.

When the Railroad fever struck across the Atlantic in America, it was Christmas day of 1830 when the South Carolina Railroad opened for business. It was South Carolina Railroad's locomotive, nicknamed the best friend of Charleston that transported the first passenger coach in the U.S. It was later in 1837 that the Philadelphia built Lafayette saw its initial service with the famous Baltimore and Ohio Railroads.

Engineering was not always the best with the early locomotives as they often were constructed with fixed wheel mountings. This type of wheel design had a tendency to derail the engines. In an effort to resolve this dangerous problem, the designers decided to mount the front wheels on a trolley or what they called a bogie.

A century ago rail construction lacked the powerful bulldozers as well as the giant diggers, thus all the necessary rail cutting and embankment construction was completed by manual labor only. It was through the hard sweet and toil of the rail workers that created the maze of rail lines that we have today.

America came through with flying colors when the largest of the steam engines was built in the U.S. The 4000 class freight locomotive steam engine manufacture by Union Pacific Railroad was designate the name of the Big Boys.

As I glanced over at Marc, I had hoped that I did not bore him to sleep but his eyes were sound shut. Hum, I thought, did I bore you.

Learn more about this author, Joseph Parish.
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