Rainhill Trials
In 1829 Stephenson's Rocket won the Rainhill Trials. This locomotive engine had two notable improvements - a multi-tube boiler and a separate firebox. Originally angled, the cylinders were later made horizontal. The Invicta was the twentieth, and was built for the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway. Its cylinders were inclined, but moved to the front (chimney) end. In 1830 came the Planet class with the cylinders inside the frames, followed by the Patentee which added a pair of trailing wheels for greater stability with a larger boiler. This 2-2-2 design became the pattern for most locos, by many makers, for many years.
The locomotive "John Bull", originally of the Planet type, later modified, is now in the Smithsonian (NMAH), and is claimed to be the oldest still functional self-propelled vehicle.
Read more about this topic: Robert Stephenson And Company
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