Rainhill Trials and preparation for opening Opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway

in late 1829, construction of railway complete, rainhill trials held on short level stretch of completed line near rainhill, test how track withstood locomotives running on , determine type of locomotive used, £500 prize @ stake. trials publicised, , 10,000–15,000 people attended first day on 6 october 1829. of 5 entrants rocket, built george stephenson , son robert, entrant complete trial without suffering serious failure, , duly selected design used. (although described race, , shown such in illustrations, rainhill trials series of independent trials. each engine ran on different day.) @ around time of rainhill trials tunnel forthcoming liverpool terminus—the first tunnel ever dug under major built-up area—was completed. win on sceptical locals whitewashed, fitted lighting , band, , public charged shilling apiece walk through it.

by 1830 line complete, , locomotives began trial runs on route. on 14 june 1830 test run liverpool salford drew 2 passenger carriages , 7 loaded coal wagons 29 miles (47 km) in 2 hours 25 minutes without incident. booth convened meeting of directors evening, decided railway ready open in late summer. after consulting office of duke of wellington on when available attend inauguration ceremony, , learning due in area on 13 september attend dinner in manchester, agreed railway formally open on wednesday 15 september 1830.

fanny kemble, guest of stephenson s on test run of l&m prior opening

actress, author , anti-slavery campaigner fanny kemble, accompanied george stephenson on test of l&m prior opening, described tests in letter written in 1830:

we introduced little engine drag along rails. (for make these curious little fire horses mares) consisted of boiler, stove, platform, bench, , behind bench barrel containing enough water prevent being thirsty fifteen miles, whole machine not bigger common fire engine. goes upon 2 wheels, feet, , moved bright steel legs called pistons; these propelled steam, , in proportion more steam applied upper extremities (the hip-joints, suppose) of these pistons, faster move wheels; , when desirable diminish speed, steam, unless suffered escape burst boiler, evaporates through safety valve air. reins, bit, , bridle of wonderful beast, small steel handle, applies or withdraws steam legs or pistons, child might manage it. coals, oats, under bench, , there small glass tube affixed boiler, water in it, indicates fullness or emptiness when creature wants water, conveyed reservoirs ...

this snorting little animal, felt rather inclined pat, harnessed our carriage, , mr. stephenson having taken me on bench of engine him, started @ ten miles hour ... [george stephenson s] way of explaining himself peculiar, striking, , understood, without difficulty, said me ... engine having received supply of water, carriage placed behind it, cannot turn, , set off @ utmost speed, thirty-five miles hour, swifter bird flies (for tried experiment snipe). cannot conceive sensation of cutting air was; motion smooth possible, too. either have read or written; , was, stood up, , bonnet off drank air before me. wind, strong, or perhaps force of our own thrusting against it, absolutely weighed eyelids down. when closed eyes sensation of flying quite delightful, , strange beyond description; yet strange was, had perfect sense of security, , not slightest fear ...

now word or 2 master of these marvels, whom horribly in love. man fifty fifty-five years of age; face fine, though careworn, , bears expression of deep thoughtfulness; mode of explaining ideas peculiar , original, striking, , forcible; , although accents indicates north country birth, language has not slightest touch of vulgarity or coarseness. has turned head. 4 years have sufficed bring great undertaking end. railroad opened upon fifteenth of next month. duke of wellington coming down present on occasion, and, suppose, thousands of spectators , novelty of spectacle, there never have been scene of more striking interest.

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