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Next year
will see celebrations commemorating Trevithick's achievement in designing and
operating the first self-propelled railway locomotive. It ran in February 1804
between Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil and Abercynon in South Wales. This was
25-years before George Stephenson won the Rainhill Trials with his Rocket
locomotive.
"I have the satisfaction to inform you the Tram Road Engine goes off very
well - we have made a Journey on our Tram Road nine and a half miles in length -
it took 10 Tons long wts of Iron & about 60 or 70 people riding on the Trams
which added 4 or 5 tons more to the wt - it goes very easy 4 miles an hour, & is
as tractable as a Horse, will back its load, & move it forward as little (&
slow) at a time as you please - with this Engine we can manage the different
tryals ......" so wrote Samuel Homfray to Simon Goodrich following the
successful operation of the first steam locomotive in the world to haul a load
on rails.
A group called Trevithick 2004 and led by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
will celebrate the bi-centenary of this historic first journey by organising a
series of events and exhibitions in South Wales between February and September
next year.
The National Railway Museum at York is organising a 200th Anniversary Railfest
between the 29th May and 6th June 2004. More about the celebrations can be
found by following this link.
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