The life of George Stephenson, railway engineer - Lighthouse ...

CHAP, xxm.] ENTRIES FOB THE PRIZE. 267
3. Messrs. Stephenson and Boott's " Rocket."
4. Mr. Burstall's " Perseverance."
Another engine was entered by Mr.Brandreth of Liverpool,
—the " Cycloped," weighing three tons, worked by a horse in a
frame ; but it could not be admitted to the competition. The
above were the only four exhibited, out of a considerable num-
ber of engines which had been built in different parts of the
country in anticipation of this contest, but which could not be
satisfactorily completed by the day fixed for the competition.
The ground on which the engines were to be tried was a level
piece of railroad, about two miles in length. Each engine was
to make twenty trips, or equal to a journey of seventy miles, in
the course of the day ; and the average rate of travelling was
to be not under ten miles an hour. It was determined that, to
avoid confusion, each engine should be tried separately, and on
different days.
The day fixed for the competition was the 1st of October ; but
to allow the engines sufficient time to get into good working order,
the directors extended it to the 6th. The judges were Mr.
Nicholas Wood, Mr. Eastrick, and Mr. Kennedy. On the morn-
ing of ~the 6th, the ground at Bainhill presented a lively appear-
ance, and there was as much excitement as if the Sti Leger were
about to be run. Many thousand spectators looked on, amongst
whom were some of the first engineers of the day. A stand
was provided for the ladies ; and the " beauty and fashion " of
the neighbourhood were present, whilst the sides of the road
were lined with carriages of all descriptions.
It was quite characteristic of Mr. Stephenson, that, although
his engine did not stand first on the list for trial, it was the first
that was ready; and it was accordingly ordered out by the
judges for an experimental trip. The distance which it ran on
that day was about twelve mUes, performed in about fifty-three
minutes.
The " Novelty" was next called out. It was a light engine,
very compact in appearance, carrying the water and fuel upon
the same wheels as the engine. The weight of the whole was
only three tons and one hundred weight. A peculiarity of this
engine was, that the air was driven or forced through the fire by