ies, Stephenson succeeded
in getting the railway bill passed. But the troubles of George
Stephenson were not at an end. The company, not fully satisfied with his
opinion alone, conferred with two of the leading engineers of England,
who reported averse to the locomotive, recommending stationary engines
at a distance of one and a-half miles apart. But at last Stephenson
prevailed upon the company to offer a prize of about $2,500 for the best
locomotive produced at a trial to take place on the 6th of October,
1829. At last the eventful day came, and with it thousands of
spectators. Four engines appeared to compete for the prizes. "The
Novelty," the "Rocket," the "Perseverance" and the "Sanspareil." The
"Perseverance" could only make six miles an hour, and as the rules
called for at least ten, it was ruled out. The "Sanspareil" made an
average of fourteen miles an hour, but as it burst a water-pipe, it lost
its chance. The "Novelty" did splendidly, but unluckily also burst a
pipe, and was crowded out, leaving the field to the "Rocket," which
carried off the honors. The average speed made by this engine, which
belonged to Stephenson, was fifteen miles, and even attained twenty-nine
miles an hour.

The distinguishing features of the Rocket, the first high-speed
locomotive of the standard modern type, were the multitubular boiler,
which was not Stephenson's invention, but was first applied by him to
locomotives; the blast pipe; and the direct connection of the steam
cylinders to one axle, and one pair of wheels. At the opening of the
road, September 15th, 1830, eight locomotives, constructed at the
Stephenson works, were employed, and Mr. Huskinson, having been
accidentally struck down and fatally injured by the Rocket, was conveyed
in the Northumbrian, driven by George Stephenson, from Parkside to
Eccles, fifteen miles, at the unprecedented rate of thirty-six miles an
hour.

Stephenson was almost incessantly employed for the next fifteen years on
new roads, and was called three times to Belgium, and once to Spain as a
consulting engineer. With his increasing wealth he also engaged
extensively and profitably in coal mining and lime works, particularly
in the neighborhood of Tapton Park, an elegant seat in Derbyshire, where
he passed his latter years. He declined the honor of Knighthood.

To Watt is due the honor of giving the world a practical stationary
engine; George Stephenson picked that engine up bodily and placed it