Rail, steam, and speed : the "Rocket" and the birth of steam locomotion / Christopher McGowan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McGowan, Christopher.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Steam locomotives--England--History--19th century.

Steam locomotives.

Railroads--England--History--19th century.

Railroads.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (394 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York : Columbia University Press, c2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

From October 6 through 14, 1829, a competition was held in Rainhill to find a locomotive that could maintain a speed of ten mph for a round trip totaling thirty-five miles, the distance separating Liverpool and Manchester, which were soon to be linked by the world's first passenger railway. George and Robert Stephenson's Rocket won the competition, but the Rocket was not necessarily the superior locomotive. Rail, Steam, and Speed explains why and offers an absorbing account of the trials, people, and science that gave birth to steam locomotion.

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1 The sport of kings

2 Lessons from the past

3 The London challenge

4 A man of principles

5 Up from the mine

6 Famous son of a famous father

7 Rocket on trial

8 The people's choice

9 The dark horse

10 Winning day

11 Triumph and tragedy

12 Boom and bust

13 Beginnings and endings

NOTES

INDEX

CREDITS.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0-231-50930-8

1-4237-2462-3

OCLC:

213306012