The history of the first locomotives in America. From original ...

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HISTORY OP THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVES IN AMERICA.
effectually the purpose for wliicli tte locomotive was
intended. True it was that Blankensop's engine, built
in 1813, liad been in use upon the tram-way at Wylam,
and improvements were subsequently made so that a
machine had been constructed and run upon the tramway
between Kenton and Cox Lodge, which was enabled
to draw after it sixteen loaded cars, of about seventy
tons, a-t the rate of three miles an hour. Yet this engine,
and others like it, were far from being perfect, or adapt-
ed to the purpose for which they were intended, being
clumsy, cumbrous, and awkward, in all their movements.
Mr. Stephenson saw one of these at work, and
when asked by one of his companions what he thought
of it, he replied that he " could make a better one than
" and, to accomplish this, he devoted his whole
that ;
mind and energies, the result of which we will show
hereafter.
It will not, we trust, be deemed out of place to
devote a small space in our pages to give, as briefly
as possible, some of the early history of this afterward
most distinguished engineer and machinist, who may
be justly looked upon as the father of the locomotive
system in England, now so successful and essential to
its commerce and manufactures. His history may tend
to impress upon the mind of any youthful reader and
mechanic who may be now, as he once was, a poor boy,
how a young man, by industry and perseverance in a
good cause, may ultimately build up for himself a posi-
tion which would lead eventually to eminence and fame.
George Stephensoh was born on June 9, I'TSl, in
a small colliery village called Wylam, on the north
bank of the river Tyne. The tram-road between New-
castle and Carlisle runs along the opposite bank of the
river from the coal-pits to the shipping-point. Eobert
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