Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/33

 of their number, Mr. Harrison, proposed that a reward be publicly offered for the most likely method of achieving their object. They decided to that effect on April 20th, 1829, and on April 25th appeared the announcement of a premium of £500 offered for the best locomotive engine, subject to eight conditions as to weight, load, pressure of steam, price, and speed,

The public trials of competing engines took place on the Manchester side of Rainhill Bridge, upon a level portion of line, from October 8th to 14th, 1829.

The tests conclusively proved "The Rocket" to be the best engine, meeting all the conditions laid down and performing all tests in a more than satisfactory manner, "The Novelty" and "Sans Pareil" broke down, and "Perseverance," an engine designed for road work as well, was withdrawn. To George Stephenson was awarded the prize of £500, and it may be said that at Rainhill, in 1829, Stephenson proved the locomotive to be a practical proposition, and laid the foundation of the railways of the world.

"The Rocket," in working trim, without tender, weighed 4 tons 5 cwts., and her dimensions were:—Cylinders, 8 ins, diameter; stroke, 16 inches; driving wheels, 4 feet 8½ inches; boiler, 6 feet long, 3 feet 4 inches diameter; pressure of steam in boiler, 50 lbs, per square inch; firebox, 2 feet long, 3 feet broad by 3 feet deep; tubes, 25 of 3 inches diameter; area of fire grate, 6 square feet; weight of loaded tender, 3 tons 4 cwts. The maximum speed attained by "The Rocket" at the Rainhill trials was 29 miles an hour. To take the test she was conveyed by road to Carlisle, and thence by water to the Mersey.

"The Rocket" is preserved in the South Kensington Museum, and has been described as consisting of "a boiler, a stove, a space, and a bench." At the conclusion of the trials. Stephenson received