it was originally projected simply
as a mineral line. Darlington lies in the centre of a rich inland
mining district; but the impossibility of getting the coal carried to
the sea by cart or donkey, long prevented the opening up of its immense
natural wealth. At last, as early as 1817, Edward Pease and a few
other enterprising Darlington Quakers determined to build a line of
railway from the mining region to Stockton, on the river Tees, where
the coal could be loaded into sea-going ships. It was a very long
line, compared to any railway that had yet been constructed; but it was
still only to be worked by horse-power--to be, in fact, what we now
call a tramway, rather than a railway in the modern sense. However,
while the plan was still undecided, George Stephenson, who had heard
about the proposed scheme, went over to Darlington one day, and boldly
asked to see Mr. Pease. The good Quaker received him kindly, and
listened to his arguments in favour of the locomotive. "Come over to
Killingworth some day and see my engine at work," said Stephenson,
confidently; "and if you do you will never think of horses again." Mr.
Pease, with Quaker caution, came and looked. George put the engine
through its paces, and showed off its marvellous capabilities to such
good effect that Edward Pease was immediately converted. Henceforth,
he became a decided advocate of locomotives, and greatly aided by his
wealth and influence in securing their final triumph.

Not only that, but Mr. Pease also aided Stephenson in carrying out a
design which George had long had upon his mind--the establishment of a
regular locomotive factory, where the work of engine-making for this
particular purpose might be carried on with all the necessary finish
and accuracy. George himself put into the concern his precious 1000
pounds, not one penny of which he had yet touched; while Pease and a
friend advanced as much between them. A factory was forthwith started
at Newcastle on a small scale, and the hardworking engine-wright found
himself now fully advanced to the commercial dignity of Stephenson and
Co. With the gradual growth of railways, that humble Newcastle factory
grew gradually into one of the largest and wealthiest manufacturing
establishments in all England.

Meanwhile, Stephenson was eagerly pushing on the survey of the Stockton
and Darlington railway, all the more gladly now that he knew it was to
be worked by means of his own adopted child, t