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

56 HISTORY OF THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVES IN AMERICA.
and lowered it down on tlie other.
These wagons were
loaded.
At the foot of this plane a locomotive, driven by-
Mr. Stephenson himself, was attached to the train. It
consisted of six wagons loaded with coal and flour, next
a passenger-coach (the first ever run upon a railroad)
filled with the directors and their friends, then twenty-
one wagons fitted up vnth temporary seats for passengers,
and lastly came six wagons loaded with coal, making
in all twenty-eight vehicles. The word being given
that all was ready, the engine began to move, gradually
at first, but afterward, in parts of the road, attained a
speed of twelve miles an hour. At that time the number
of passengers amounted to 450, which would, with
the remainder of the load, amount to upward of ninety
tons. The train arrived at Darlington, eight and threequarter
miles, in sixty -five minutes. Here it was
stopped, and a fresh supply of water was obtained, and
the six coal-cars for Darlington detached, and the word
given to go ahead. The engine started, and arrived at
Stockton, twelve miles, in three hours seven minutes,
including stoppages.
By the time the train reached Stockton, the number
of passengers amounted to over 600.
We will here mention that, when this road was first
contemplated, its projectors did not estimate the amoxmt
of coal that would be transported over it above 10,000
tons per annum ; but before a very few years had elapsed,
from the facilities offered by the railroad system, with
locomotives instead of horse-power, the amount of coal
transported annually amounted to 500,000 tons, and has
since exceeded that amount. At this trial experiment,
September 27, 1825, the first passenger-car, or wagon
as it was called at that day, was put upon the road. It
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