A steam locomotive is a self-propelled railway engine that moves itself and attached vehicles by the expansion of steam, burning coal, coke or oil to heat water in a boiler until it becomes high-pressure steam, which is then directed alternately into cylinders to drive pistons connected to the locomotive's wheels. Developed in the United Kingdom in the early nineteenth century, steam locomotives powered the first public railways and the inter-city rail networks that followed, and they dominated railway traction through the 1800s and most of the 1900s. Beginning in the early twentieth century they were gradually displaced by electric and diesel locomotives, and most were retired from regular service by the 1980s, though many survive and continue to run on heritage and tourist railways worldwide. The steam locomotive is closely associated with the Industrial Revolution and remained the backbone of global rail transport for nearly two centuries.
Facts
SignificanceTrevithick's 1804 Pen-y-darren locomotive proved a steam engine could haul a load over a distance, but it was the 1812 Salamanca, built by Matthew Murray for the Middleton Railway, that became the first commercially successful steam locomotive, turning the concept into an ongoing railway business. 1 Manufacturer or Builder FAQs
Who built the first steam locomotive?
No single builder: Trevithick in 1804, Murray in 1812 and Stephenson in 1825 each hold a different first.
The answer depends on which first is meant. Richard Trevithick built the first steam locomotive known to have hauled a load over a distance, at Pen-y-darren in 1804, although he produced an earlier locomotive for trial at Coalbrookdale in 1802. Salamanca, built in 1812 by Matthew Murray for the Middleton Railway, was the first commercially successful steam locomotive. Locomotion No. 1, built by George Stephenson and his son Robert's company, was the first to haul passengers on a public railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, in 1825.
Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Steam Locomotive
WikipediaWikipedia Steam locomotive article, History section, opening paragraph, sentence on Trevithick and Pen-y-darren
Richard Trevithick built the first steam locomotive known to have hauled a load over a distance at Pen-y-darren in 1804, although he produced an earlier locomotive for trial at Coalbrookdale in 1802.
Wikipedia Steam locomotive article, History section, opening paragraph, sentence naming Trevithick
Richard Trevithick built the first steam locomotive known to have hauled a load over a distance at Pen-y-darren in 1804, although he produced an earlier locomotive for trial at Coalbrookdale in 1802.
Wikipedia Steam locomotive article, History section, opening paragraph, sentence on the Salamanca
Salamanca, built in 1812 by Matthew Murray for the Middleton Railway, was the first commercially successful steam locomotive.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.