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

FIRST TRAINS. 55
pointed its chief engineer. He soon began his labors,
and on the 18th of November, 1822, the road was opened
for the first time for locomotives. Crowds came from
all directions to witness the experiment. Five of Mr,
Stephenson's engines were npon the road that day, each
engine drawing after it seventeen wagons loaded, aver-
aging sixty-four tons, at the rate of four miles an
hour.
Mr. Stephenson next became chief engineer of the
Stockton and Burlington Railway, another coal-road
about being constructed. On Recount of the nature of
the ground over which this road would pass, and the
limited means put into Mr, Stephenson's hands for its
construction, he was compelled to adopt the incline-
plane system in those places where too much labor and
money would be required. Other parts of the road
were made for horse or steam power, which of the two
had not as yet been determined upon. The success of
Mr. Stephenson's locomotives had been tried and proved
practical, although as yet not a saving in the expense
of transportation. But Mr. Stephenson's views pre-
vailed, and when the road was finished, on the 27th of
September, 1825, he had three engines ready for its use,
They were built at his works, the first ever established
for locomotive manufacture. The Active, No. 1, was
the first built at this establishment. A great deal of
excitement and speculation arose throughout the country
when the trial-day approached. The road was
ready, as we have stated. Great crowds were assem-
bled from every direction to witness the trial ; some,
more sanguine, came to witness its success, but far the
greater portion came to see the bubble burst. The
proceedings began at Brusselton incline, where the sta-
tionaiy engine drew a train up the incline on one side
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