Sheffield and Rotherham Railway - Opening

Opening

Although earthworks were unfinished and the second track had not been laid, the railway opened on 31 October 1838.

The first train, on 31 October, transported Earl Fitzwilliam and guests to Rotherham. A celebration breakfast followed by the obligatory speeches were held at the Court House. The Rotherham proprietors used the return train to Sheffield. On the following day, 1 November 1838, came the public opening. The first train was pulled by Victory and consisted of six yellow and black carriages, holding 300 passengers. The line's trackside, trees and bridge were filled with crowds who'd turned up for the event. Victory travelled to Rotherham in 17 minutes. Locomotive London was the next one to travel to Rotherham and followed 2 minutes later. The first returning train met locomotive Leeds at Meadow Hall.

The number of passengers in the first year was double that which had been predicted when the line was put before Parliament. Advertised fares were one shilling (5 p) first class, ninepence (4 p) second and sixpence (2½ p) third class. No tips were allowed neither was smoking in the station.

Passenger trains were usually of three carriages, and made the journey in about 20 minutes, including two intermediate stops. Departures from Wicker were timetabled at 0800, 0900, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600 and 1800 (plus a departure at 1900 on Mondays) and 0830, 0930, 1030, 1430, 1630 and 1830 from Rotherham.