500 guinea bet led to pioneering achievement in history of rail travel

THE first steam locomotive to haul a train carried ten tons of iron along the Merthyr Tramroad. This pioneering achievement was in response to a 500 guinea bet made between ironmaster Samuel Homfray and engineer Richard Trevithick in 1804.

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Trevithick was asked to build a locomotive for Wylam colliery. Unfortunately, the engine was too heavy for the wooden tramway. The Cornishman did pique the interest of a self-educated breaksman named George Stephenson.

In 1811, Ryton’s Nicholas Wood began an apprenticeship at Killingworth Colliery aged 16. Within four years, Nicholas had become the colliery viewer or manager.

Wood contributed to the original drawings of his new time-served enginewright’s creation of the first safety lamp. The Geordie Lamp was named after its inventor, George Stephenson.