| Posted by JerryE on April 8, 2014 | |
This particular replica has never been a complete locomotive, being built as a sectioned and thus static museum exhibit. That said, the above exhibit should not to be confused with either the original Stephenson's Rocket that is preserved in the London Science Museum (UK) or the more modern 1979 replica built for the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Rainhill trials, this latter replica is complete and still (boiler certificate/inspections permitting) capable of being steamed. One point of history, indirectly Rocket is responsible for all railways in the UK (apart from tramways) having to be fenced in by Law of the UK Parliament, on account that it was Rocket and her train that knocked down and killed one William Huskisson, the then Member of Parliament for Liverpool - he could thus be described as the very first fatality due to someone "trespassing" upon an operational passenger railway!
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| Posted by Dana M. on April 15, 2014 | |
Great photo David. Nice lighting and good subject too. This "Stephenson's Rocket" reminds me of "The Best Friend of Charleston" or the "Tom Thumb" locomotives in the U.S. Quite the focus of attention at the time of their heyday. One correction of Historic note: The "Rocket" was not "indirectly" responsible for fencing of the UK railways nor was there ever a Parliamentary Law mandating fencing of the UK railways. The railways are responsible for the fencing as they were building the lines, they would present a "Good Neighbor" gesture and made agreements with landowners to put up fencing to prevent livestock from wandering onto the tracks and possibly getting killed. This agreement benefitted the railways in that they were allowed to build across a landowner's property, and of course benefitted the landowner's as their livestock would be safe from wandering onto the tracks. Although the fencing does deter trespassers, the unfortunate incident with the "Rocket" was due to the carelessness and inattentive action of MP (Member of Parliament) William Huskisson disembarking the "Rocket's" train during a water stop, and getting in front of the locomotive while admiring it!. Due to his negligence, no one knew he was on the tracks in front of the locomotive and he was unfortunately run over and killed. There was no Parliamentary Law created to fence the railways because of this incident. The railways put up the fences due to proper foresight and planning to keep landowners "happy!"
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| Posted by JerryE on April 23, 2014 | |
Dana M, the railways in the UK do have a statutory duty to keep areas containing tracks fenced.
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| Posted by Dana M. on April 24, 2014 | |
A follow up to my earlier posting: Regarding the information about the UK railways putting fencing up due to an agreement with landowners as a show of "good friendship" to prevent landowners livestock from wandering onto the rails and getting injured or killed, and not a Parliamentary Law; my information comes directly from the York National Railway Museum Historic Archives, York, United Kingdom. I thought those who view this photo should be aware of this information, as I inadvertently left it out of my previous comment that was posted. I hope this clears up any confusion, as it appears that in recent history there is some confusion about new railway lines being "legally" required to fence their rail lines, although there is still no Parliamentary Law - it is only "legally" required now due to the original "good friendship" agreements made between the railways and landowners from the start. Dana M. - Source: York National Railway Museum Historic Archives, York, United Kingdom.
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