on between the town of Leicester and the
coal-fields in the western part of the county. The projector of this
undertaking had some difficulty in getting the requisite capital
subscribed for, the Leicester townspeople who had money being for the
most part interested in canals. George Stephenson was invited to come
upon the ground and survey the line. He did so, and then the projector
told him of the difficulty he had in finding subscribers to the concern.
"Give me a sheet," said Stephenson, "and I will raise the money for you
in Liverpool." The engineer was as good as his word, and in a short time
the sheet was returned with the subscription complete. Mr. Stephenson
was then asked to undertake the office of engineer for the line, but his
answer was that he had thirty miles of railway in hand, which were enough
for any engineer to attend to properly. Was there any person he could
recommend? "Well," said he, "I think my son Robert is competent to
undertake the thing." Would Mr. Stephenson be answerable for him? "Oh,
yes, certainly." And Robert Stephenson, at twenty-seven years of age,
was installed engineer of the line accordingly.

[Picture: Map of Leicester and Swannington Railway]

The requisite Parliamentary powers having been obtained, Robert
Stephenson proceeded with the construction of the railway, about 16 miles
in length, towards the end of 1830. The works were comparatively easy,
excepting at the Leicester end, where the young engineer encountered his
first stiff bit of tunnelling. The line passed underground for 1.75
mile, and 500 yards of its course lay in loose dry running sand. The
presence of this material rendered it necessary for the engineer first to
construct a wooden tunnel to support the soil while the brickwork was
being executed. This proved sufficient, and the whole was brought to a
successful termination within a reasonable time. While the works were in
progress, Robert kept up a regular correspondence with his father at
Liverpool, consulting him on all points in which his greater experience
was likely to be of service. Like his father, Robert was very observant,
and always ready to seize opportunity by the forelock. It happened that
the estate of Snibston, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, was advertised for sale;
and the young engineer's experience as a coal-viewer and practical
geologist suggested to his mind that coal was most probably to be found
underneath. He communicated