Changes

The owner of Wylam Colliery, Christopher Blackett, employed William Hedley (1779-1843) as his colliery manager. Hedley was interested in [[technology|technological]] change and, aided by another colliery engineer, Timothy Hackworth, he built three steam locomotives between 1813 and 1815. These worked successfully until 1828-29, when they were replaced by two more innovative locomotives, including the famous ''[[Puffing Billy]]''. Wylam was a true nursery of railway talent. Hedley and Hackworth were very important railway pioneers, and the village was also the birthplace of [[George Stephenson]] (1781-1848).

The owner of Wylam Colliery, Christopher Blackett, employed William Hedley (1779-1843) as his colliery manager. Hedley was interested in [[technology|technological]] change and, aided by another colliery engineer, Timothy Hackworth, he built three steam locomotives between 1813 and 1815. These worked successfully until 1828-29, when they were replaced by two more innovative locomotives, including the famous ''[[Puffing Billy]]''. Wylam was a true nursery of railway talent. Hedley and Hackworth were very important railway pioneers, and the village was also the birthplace of [[George Stephenson]] (1781-1848).

George Stephenson is justly called 'the father of the railways'. Although he neither invented railways nor steam locomotion, he made huge improvements to the technology of the latter and was a pioneer in the field of civil engineering for large railway projects. An illiterate miner's son, born in a cottage next to the Wylam colliery railway (as a child, his first job was keeping the line clear of stray animals), he learned to read as a young adult at night classes, obtained a post as engineer at Killingworth Colliery, Northumberland, and there built a number of improved locomotives. He designed the Hetton Railway in [[County Durham]] in the early 1820s, at that time the longest railway line in the world, linking a colliery to loading staiths (short piers for pouring coal from wagons on to waiting ships) on the River Wear, and then was appointed engineer to the Stockton & Darlington Railway. The S&DR, which opened in 1825, was the world's first public railway, linking the coalfields of SW County Durham to the [[River Tees]] at [[Stockton-on-Tees]]. This was not purely a colliery line, but allowed other freight, and even passengers, to be carried. Initially it used both locomotive and horse-drawn trains, though later was converted to steam haulage only.

George Stephenson is justly called 'the father of the railways'. Although he neither invented railways nor steam locomotion, he made huge improvements to the technology of the latter and was a pioneer in the field of civil engineering for large railway projects. An illiterate miner's son, born in a cottage next to the Wylam colliery railway (as a child, his first job was keeping the line clear of stray animals), he learned to read as a young adult at night classes, obtained a post as engineer at Killingworth Colliery, Northumberland, and there built a number of improved locomotives. He designed the Hetton Railway in [[County Durham]] in the early 1820s, at that time the longest railway line in the world, linking a colliery to loading staiths (short piers for pouring coal from wagons on to waiting ships) on the River Wear, and then was appointed engineer to the [[Stockton & Darlington Railway]]. The S&DR, which opened in 1825, was the world's first public steam-operated railway, linking the coalfields of SW [[County Durham]] to the [[River Tees]] at [[Stockton on Tees]]. This was not purely a colliery line, but allowed other freight, and even passengers, to be carried. Initially it used both locomotive and horse-drawn trains, though later was converted to steam haulage only.

Stephenson's most famous achievement was the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, opened in 1830 and linking two of the fastest-growing cities of [[Industrial Revolution]] [[England]]. Although this crossed largely flat terrain, the route involved considerable engineering difficulties, including the crossing of the Chat Moss marshland west of  [[Manchester]]. Stephenson spent much time, money and effort pouring earth and stone into the marsh to create a firm footing for the railway, without success. He decided instead to build the line upon hurdles of brushwood floating on the bog. The line is still in use.

Stephenson's most famous achievement was the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, opened in 1830 and linking two of the fastest-growing cities of [[Industrial Revolution]] [[England]]. Although this crossed largely flat terrain, the route involved considerable engineering difficulties, including the crossing of the Chat Moss marshland west of  [[Manchester]]. Stephenson spent much time, money and effort pouring earth and stone into the marsh to create a firm footing for the railway, without success. He decided instead to build the line upon hurdles of brushwood floating on the bog. The line is still in use.