0-4-0 Locomotion 1 S&DR Profile and Models

Locomotion No. 1 (originally named 'Active') is an early steam locomotive that was built in 1825 by the pioneering railway engineers Robert Stephenson and Company. It became the first steam locomotive to haul a passenger-carrying train on a public railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR). Locomotion No. 1 was ordered by the railway in September 1824; its design benefitted from George Stephenson's experience building his series of Killingworth locomotives. It is believed that it was the first locomotive to make use of coupling rods to link together its driving wheels, reducing the chance of the wheels slipping on the iron rails. In September 1825, Locomotion No. 1 hauled the first train on the S&DR. On 1 July 1828, it was heavily damaged when its boiler exploded, resulting in the death of its driver. It was rebuilt but, as a consequence of the rapid advances in locomotive design, Locomotion No. 1 became obsolete within a decade. It was used on the railway until 1850, after which it was converted into a stationary engine. In 1857, as a consequence of its historical importance, Locomotion No. 1 was preserved and put on display.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

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