Stockton & Darlington railway 200th and Mince Stew

 

 

I make no excuses for another trip along the original railway journey.  All my life I have heard about this, and even on occasion been along part of the route that is still operational.  The creation of the railways in 1825 was the most powerful movement of the 19th century in my eyes.  A century of innovation indeed, but without a railway to carry it all from one place to another quickly it would not have succeeded and certainly would have been hindered for many years.  

The sight of a replica 'Locomotion' trundling along is gives a wee bit of understanding as to how it must have appeared to the people at the time.  Engineering in the north-east of England had been going on for many years, so many would understand that one day something big would arrive.  However, with the majority still employed on the land, and that would continue for many years, the sight of this great moving black machine must have been something of a wonder.  Just remember your thoughts when you sighted an engineering feat, or a view or the latest technological wizardry that left you wondering, the people around must have felt similarly.

Many of those who watched quickly understood that here was an opportunity to save energy by climbing aboard the coal wagons and getting a free hurl to their destination. So successful was this that soon such 'passengers' had to pay for the privilege!  Within five years, 'The Rocket' was hurtling paid passengers between Manchester and Liverpool at 30 miles per hour, as long as you bought a ticket!

What I liked about this report was the 'ownership' of the railway.  The news reporters and the people involved are proud that this came from the north-east, not some fop down south.  This was 'their' railway, and it belonged to them!   Typical 'Geordies!'  George Stephenson, and his son Robert, were typical 'Geordies,' George in particular.  He was happy to be called 'the father of the railway,' though others had produced engines of various types before this.  George's railway actually worked successfully, which made a big difference.  These two men did lay out many railways in the UK and abroad, both in Europe and South America.  That is one reason why so many South Americans have Scots, Welsh, Irish or English names.  The navvies who went with them to build the railways often remained behind, or at least had a wife while there, for the use off!  

George used the term 'Railroad,' at first, but when his suggested route for one was considered too expensive his amended plan used the term 'Railway,' and it has remained such ever since.  Note in the USA they call it 'railroad,' possibly elsewhere also. 

Within five years of the 'Locomotion' taking coals to Stockton passenger services had arrived.  By 1851 it was possible to travel from Edinburgh Waverley to Kings Cross, London within 12 hours.  With occasional stops on the way.  Before this a stage coach could take two weeks, depending on the weather.  Such a transformation of society, such a transformation for iundustry, supplies to factory soon became goods on offer worldwide.  A nation transformed, not so much by the industrial revolution but by the railways that made that industry operate.  

We owe a great deal to this 1825 event.

Low Carb Diabetic 

   

This caught my eye.  This is the type of grub I have been forced by poverty to turn to more and more.  Though my last effort, which may remain with me always, was based on chicken, not mince, this because mince was so much more expensive than chicken today!  

The recipe here differs somewhat from my own in that it produces acceptable flavour, my recipe varies between aged cardboard and aged dishwater.  At one point I took to calling mine 'Flanders Stew' as it tasted similar to the mud found there during the Great War.  And one young lass who ate at my abode shut down my kitchen, it turned out she worked for the environment people.  

My recipe is simple, meat, beans, more beans, sauces (anything), salt and whatever is lying around.  Then I have to force myself to finish 5 or 6 of the things stored in the freezer.  And the freezer, filled with such items, is the way forward in this wealthy man's parliament. 

I recommend this site.

The Labour Conference is on!

No, I have not bothered either...

The 'Locomotion' & the 'Rocket'

 

As you know, it was 200 years ago that the first real railway service came into being.  The line from Stockton to Darlington was created to shift coal from the pit to the docks.  It was a success, such a success that people jumped upon the coal wagons for a free trip to the terminus.  Soon however, they were being charged money for the privilege.  

The engine, seen here in a 1925 celebration run, was the 'Locomotion.'  This engine was in use until 1850, not counting the time the boiler exploded in 1828, killing the driver, one John Cree.  Of course, within 10 years this engine was obsolete, and while George Stephenson had designed the 'Locomotion,' his son Robert, produced the 'Rocket,' which in 1830 opened the first real passenger service between Manchester and Liverpool.  That line is still in operation today for the most part, you can see on 'Cab Ride' video just how straight the line is.  Little to interfere with the line at that time, bar a Moss or two.  

Much of the Stockton to Darlington line is still in use, though as you would guess both lines are much improved from their beginnings.  Engine drivers from the past would still recognise some of the line, though the surroundings would be very different indeed.

I mention this as I read today that the replica 'Locomotion,' built as near as possible to the original, will be used sometime soon on a run along the Darlington to Stockton line.  This will ensure problems for the authorities involved, not least the safety aspect.  The train will manage to make it along the chosen course however, the rail followers who rush to observe the run of this train will no doubt trample across the lines, interfere with the daily run of local services, and probably end up under a train at some point.  This indeed happened in 1930 when William Huskisson got down off the train to speak to the Duke of Wellington and got himself run over by the 'Rocket' on the other track.  The train had stopped for water, and it was normal stage coach experience for passengers to wander about until the stage coach was ready.  Unfortunately, the speed of the approaching train was something they were all unaccustomed to.  William's leg was broken and he died on the way to the hospital.  It is to be feared that 'enthusiasts' will endanger themselves also in an attempt to see and photograph this event.

I will not be there, just saying.

The 'Locomotion' was used as a stationary engine for a while, then, because of it's importance it was preserved for the nation.  I can remember it standing in Doncaster station for some years, and after some travels it now resides at the Locomotion Museum in Shildon.