Locomotion Mythbusting: The TRUTH About the Infamous 1825 Locomotive | Curator with a Camera

[@NatRailwayMuseum]

Did you find out something new about Locomotion No 1 in this episode? Hit reply, we're keen to find out! We've discovered so much about Locomotion that there'll be a Curator with a Camera: Extra episode next Sunday with Anthony Coulls and Dr Michael Bailey. See you next week!

[@maimadha]

Your videos are the best

[@DarikFromBaku1989]

Almost everything about this engine (indeed, important in history of railways development) in this informative, interesting and pleasant video was very new for me. Thank you very much!

[@teamidris]

Yes, rear offset cranks. The only way to have strong side rods and putting the rear cylinder out of phase with the front one. Fair play for them upgrading the valve. Having a the driver top isn’t backwards if he is tightening gland seals while moving :o)

[@ReggieArford]

Since this is already a "reproduction" (+/-) locomotive, has there been any thought of making a working model? It would be illuminating to see how the drive motion works, etc.

[@JohnUnderwood-yz2xu]

​@@ReggieArfordThe replica built in 1975 is worth investigating...... I wonder if is a straight copy of this Locomotion.... I know it had to have a modern braking system added but unsure whether it is powered by air or steam.

[@jenniferhoughton6837]

The locomotive was not named in 1825 other than the nickname "Active" used by S&DR enginemen, they were documented in October 1827 by numbers. Earliest reference to No.1 becoming "Locomotion" appears in the summer of 1833, when the railway’s management decided to name the four locomotives in its fleet Locomotion, "Hope", "Black Diamond" and "Diligence".

[@matsv201]

So. What you are saying is that not even the name plate is original? I have hopes for that part

[@BoxtankEngine]

@@matsv201what? Just because the nameplate isn’t from 1825 doesn’t mean that the nameplate isn’t original. It’s just not as old as the loco??

[@matsv201]

@@BoxtankEngine well i was refering to 1825 original The reason is that when something have been retored that heavily its typically the name plate the only thing left. Othervice its the ship of phises

[@vsvnrg3263]

@@matsv201 i think you mean theseus. or how about trigger's broom?

[@JohnUnderwood-yz2xu]

What about the bell..??...It was always rumoured in Darlington that it was the only original part..... Well before the extensive research that has been done in the last couple of years.....

[@joshslater2426]

I’d love a video on Hardwicke, Butler Henderson or GER No. 87 in the future.

[@richardmellish2371]

"Parallel motion because it's on both sides". No! Parallel because the system of rods constrains the piston to move parallel to the cylinder.

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

Quite fascinating, and revealing. Very few, if any working steam engines this old will be 100% original - and the longer they worked, the less there will be. Therefore, be glad we've got her, and don't worry about the anomalies. Some years ago I built a large model of Locomotion for the vicar of the church where Stephenson is buried - I started with the wheels, being the most difficult part - and, boy, did I have some creative fun! I've recently been told that at one point in her career Locomotion had a twin flue boiler (possibly the one which exploded) which had two smokestacks, not one. Someone displayed a model of that version at the recent NEC show. Great video - I loved it.

[@NatRailwayMuseum]

Come back for the Extra episode on Sunday and you'll find out a lot more of the engineering details, including the twin exhaust system

[@DavidScholz-bu1ix]

FASCINATING PIECE OF RAILWAY HISTORY!

[@neiljopson8138]

At the Blist Hills museum near Telford, you can get pulled by a replica of Trevithick’s very similar locomotive built a quarter of a century before the Rocket.

[@gasmith841]

I was at the museum last weekend. My previous visit was over 30 years ago. As fascinating, wonderful and impressive the display of locomotives in the main hall are I found myself spending much more time admiring the objects in the Open Store (North Shed) area of the museum. There are some truly beautiful object in there that are sadly hidden away in open crates under dust and look, dare I say it, neglected. I came away feeling that the store is the place to be if you want to see examples of the railway employee's "craftsmen" skills in times gone by. I would suggest a film series highlighting some of the objects in the store, highlighting the various skills of railway workmen, would be fascinating to watch. As an example I discovered an outrageous pair of GW locomotive lamps with crowns on them. The attached label said "to celebrate the silver jubilee of Queen Victoria", 1837" (I think?). I would love to know more about the skills required to make such objects.

[@andyinsdca]

Given that the 200th anniversary is next year, is the S&D (well, whatever railway runs those tracks now) going to have a celebration/jubilee?

[@NatRailwayMuseum]

Yep, it's called Railway 200. railway200.co.uk/

[@andyinsdca]

@@NatRailwayMuseum Noice! Thanks for the quick response

[@joshslater2426]

I’m hoping for another big cavalcade, with stuff like the T3, Sir Nigel Gresley, GER Y14, Poplar, and Beachy Head and George V if they’re completed by then.

[@jamfjord]

​@@NatRailwayMuseum one of my favourite bits of this video was the 1925 photo of Locomotion full of people in period outfits, recreating that photo in 2025 would be wonderful

[@davidty2006]

though not much of the original line remains, part of the current tees valley line follows the original route ontop of the routes of the following railways which eventually connected up and turned tees valley into an industrial powerhouse by early 20th century.

[@558vulcanxh]

I didnt know there had been a boiler explosion, poor driver plus many historical detail alterations. Thank You team 😊

[@MervynPartin]

When I saw the title of this video, I thought that there may have been one or two misconceptions about the loco, but this was almost mind-blowing. I had always believed that this was the original loco, not realising that nothing on it was original. Even the wheels were not all the same. Thank you for a well researched, informative and entertaining video. Excellent presentation.

[@JBofBrisbane]

I seem to recall seeing a piece on TV of what may have been the 150th year celebration of the S&D - pretty sure I saw something like Locomotion running during that. Might have been a more recent replica.

[@andypandy9013]

It was a replica. It was built at what was the BREL (British Rail Engineering Ltd) workshops at Shildon. AA friend of mine was an Apprentice there and heavily involved with the project.

[@ianlawrie919]

Wow! What an eye opener. It was intriguing to see the old photos of the composite engine on its plinth while a gent in a resplendent Victorian top hat scrutinises. An iconic piece no question 👏👍👌

[@rjmun580]

In the 1950s there was an old locomotive on display on the platform at what I think was Darlington station. It's a long time ago but my memory tells me that it was Locomotion. At 4:16 you say that the pistons are masking the cylinders. Aren't pistons inside the cylinders?

[@jeffdayman8183]

He also states that the missing regulator was behind the cylinder in the camera frame. Does not look to me like there was any valve body that would be the stationary part of a regulator in that location. It sounded like he described the water level try-cocks on the backhead as "dry" cocks. Not good narration.

[@andypandy9013]

Yes, it was Locomotion. It was later moved to the North Road Museum in Darlington. The other year the NRM decided that after 100+ years in the town it should be moved to their new museum in Shildon. The good folk of Darlo were NOT happy about that. 😠

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

@@andypandy9013 That's very hard on the good folks of the halfway town.

[@michaellongstaff4624]

There were two locomotives on display at Darlington Bank Top station, the other one was called Derwent another S & D engine I believe.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

@@michaellongstaff4624 Yes, Derwent was the other. Built by W & A Kitching, designed by Timothy Hackworth.

[@JAMESDEMU-RailwayModeller]

The original "Triggers broom"? Very interesting and informative as always. Must make another visit to Shildon soon to take a look around again.

[@Milamberinx]

The “Trigger’s broom” idea is very old. Look up “ship of Theseus”.

[@JAMESDEMU-RailwayModeller]

@@Milamberinx that's even older mate

[@NatRailwayMuseum]

Thanks. New Hall opens on the 24th :)

[@RinoaL]

Building a replica in that era is still just as well because otherwise we wouldn't have anything to remember it by at all. And plus, some of the most innovative things got beat to death in their use and experimentation, so there tends to be very little of them left. What is important is the idea.

[@noahwail2444]

Well, that 4. wheel is realy spokey... Beeing a skilled fitter/mashinist myselves, I am full of admiration for the people who made this mashine. Getting so fantastic results, with the tools awailable to them.

[@davidty2006]

1800's engineering is very impressive.

[@yvonnerichardson6335]

Thank you so much for the clear explanation of the development of the remaining symbol of something so important to the World, its people and our culture.

[@TexJester-no8th]

Fascinating bit of history I never knew about a locomotive I never knew existed!!

[@romac9516]

Superb presentation, thank you

[@ryancraig2795]

It's really incredible when you think about it. In less than 200 years were went from something barely even recognizable as a steam locomotive, to aircraft and spacecraft controlled by computers.

[@GNRA1GreatNorthern1470]

Good video but does Robert Wilson not exist? Why does no one ever give him credit, hes even mentioned in Dr. Bailey's report!

[@bob_._.]

This reminds me of the old farmer who had owned and used the same axe for over 50 years; he had replaced the head three times and the handle twice. Did they at least use the original frame or did that get replaced as well?

[@vsvnrg3263]

or trigger's broom.

[@keithapps]

The first passenger carrying railway was from Merstham in Surrey to London, many many years before the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The oldest railway bridge in the world is by Starbucks at Merstham.

[@keithapps]

The Merstham to London railway was opened in 1805.

[@Brigantius]

The significance of the S&DR was that it was the first steam-hauled public railway, not a private line.

[@keithapps]

It was a passenger carrying line.

[@keithtanner2806]

4mins 16secs “The pistons are masking these cylinders.”Really? That’s novel. 😳

[@dustbowlhammer7119]

Sounds like the Locomotive stands as a testament to preservation, even more then of the locomotive itself!

[@johnboxxy3432]

Interesting video. Do you know how much wait Locamotion could haul?

[@robertbate5790]

Very interesting. Thank you. I have only known the traditional history, so much of this was new to me. You mention Thomas Bouch, was he the same man as the infamous Tay Bridge builder?

[@terryhunt2659]

No, he mentioned William Bouch (1813-76), who was the elder brother of Thomas Bouch. Thomas was also an engineer at the S&DR works for 4 years. As his career progressed, he moved into managing railways and building lines and bridges, etc., for which he gained a reputation for being 'economical'. He designed and built the Tay Bridge in his mid-50s, and died within a year of the 1879 Disaster, aged only 58.

[@robertbate5790]

@@terryhunt2659 Thanks for the correction. I read a book some years ago about the Tay bridge, not only was it a poor design, but it was riddled with sub standard materials too. It is thought Thomas might have committed suicide after the disgrace he fell into. Corruption in civil engineering is nothing new.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

Now THAT is 'infamous'. The opening of the S&D is nothing of the sort.

[@malcolmgibson6288]

It's the railway equivalent to Triggers brush.

[@JBofBrisbane]

Or Grandpa's Axe.

[@Edelweiss1102]

What a fascinating piece of history!

[@vickielawless]

An early example of Trigger's council broom then? How about NER Aerolite next, I reckon that is much the same?

[@rprodgers1]

Similar story for its almost contemporary locomotive - Agenoria.

[@robkunkel8833]

A fun video. I learned a lot. ❤ So, it was actually a little different. No big deal.

[@HaddaClu]

@11:47 So would this make John Bull here in the States the second oldest surviving standard gauge boiler on a locomotive from the Robert Stephenson Co? There's no record of it ever being replaced; and it WAS steamed up again for quick anniversary run in the 1980s.

[@henrywhite2984]

The Stourbridge Lion boiler at Baltimore is allegedly the original 1829 boiler. John Bull was 1831.

[@johnhudghton3535]

For me, that was a complete "eye opener". Excellent research, good presentation. Thank you.

[@Guitar6ty]

Excellent presentation.

[@richardroyle5224]

Fantastic and informative video!

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Very informative vid!

[@highpath4776]

Probably the first manufactury to build steam locomotives enmasse would be Matthew Murray's Round Foundry in Leeds. Building to a design of John Blenkinsop - but with Matthew Murray's use of Trevithick's patents enhanced by the use of two cylinders, one on each side , the "Salamanca" class in 1812 , supplying four for Middleton Colliery Railway . Leeds , two (at least) for the related by ownership and management of a Colliery in the Tyneside area , one sent as a demonstrator- Willington (later returned to Leeds was seen by George Stephenson, who modelled his own locomotive Blücher on it, minus the rack drive. (plus licences to locally build in Germany and further of the design built in Lancashire for a couple of collieries) Although the Round Foundary would later build more locomotives , under sub contract from Robert Stephenson and other designs including GWR ones for some reason Matthew Murray didnt construct further railway locomotives at the engineering works, in part this seems due to orders for spinning mill and weaving stud machinery, which was Murray's first love and experience.

[@donwright3427]

I'm sure those wheels were on the old £5 notes?

[@trespire]

Wasn't Locamotion on display at York in the mid '80s ?

[@TheCreepersGood]

You discussed the 100th anniversary centenary and how it “ran” there, but I’m wondering how it ran in the 1975 centenary. Was it the same effect, or did they genuinely steam it up then?

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

It's also part of the reason we have a national collection of railway vehicles and railway ephemera.

[@TheDiveO]

slightly unfortunate, but hilarious phrasing about the impact of Locomotion and it being rebuilt.

[@Train_Tok_Man]

This is a silly question, but in a future episode, can you look over the Chinese 4-8-4 that’s on display in the main hall?

[@keithtanner2806]

Why is a Chinese loco there at all?! 👹

[@nicholascory4030]

I wonder whether the Hackworth 2-part wheels were an innovation to allow a locomotive to be quickly converted for running on plateways and edge rails, having flanged and flangeless versions of the outer part.

[@trevorlewis9975]

The thumbnail describes Locomotion as 'infamous'. Presumably this is the opposite of what was intended. 'Infamous' is not a synonym of 'famous' - it's an antonym. ('Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me...' 'In...' signifies a negative. (Auspicious v inauspicious, appropriate v inappropriate.)

[@trainsimulatordriver]

It is infamous, it exploded killing its driver. That generates infamy.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

@@trainsimulatordriver It is not 'infamous' whatsoever, any more than the Rocket is 'infamous'.

[@eekee6034]

So, is Julius Caesar famous or infamous? One of those words is only slightly less applicable to that conqueror than the other. The major meaning of both words is the same: many people have heard of the subject. But your words, (a song quote?) 'Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me...' suggests "famous" means something like "popular" to you. Well, it's rather different to me. :) Some positive/negative pairs of words have had their distinctions rendered absurd by a shift in meaning, and I suspect this is in the process of happening to "famous/infamous". (Language changes are annoying, aren't they?) Personally, I find calling Locomotion "infamous" to be exaggerated almost to the point of absurdity, but if more people knew about the boiler explosion, it might fit. There's also the question of its originality. This is the Interenet, where I'm sure some devotees of accuracy vocally spread negative opinions of Locomotive on those grounds. Edit: I scrolled down just a little from here, and saw a thumbnail with "Why you HATE language MISTAKES", titled, Why Do Experts Always Defend Language Mistakes by Dr Geoff Lindsay. It seems apropriate, whichever side of the infamous antonym controversy you're on! ;)

[@NSXTypeRGTRLM]

Very much ship of Theseus!

[@djsherz]

Trigger's broom!

[@unclezebulon]

Very interesting!

[@pras12100]

In the video we get a good idea of what Locomotion (No.1) did not look like but I cannot visualise how it DID look on 27th September 1825. Is there enough information for someone to create a model (whether physical or virtual)? If not a model then is there enough to create a drawing?

[@NatRailwayMuseum]

Our CWAC Extra video on Sunday might help to fill in some of the blanks. If it doesn't, we'd better get sketching...

[@anumeon]

The steamengine equivalent of the Theseus ship paradox.

[@michaellongstaff4624]

Very little on Flying Scotsman is original, certainly not the boiler or the wheels.

[@clivegeary4587]

Excellent

[@graemewhite5029]

Who'd have thought Locomotion would have so much in common with Trigger's broom ?

[@Bugster42]

well delivered on a difficult and interesting tale

[@sarcasmo57]

Trains are rad.

[@telquad1953]

Thanks for the debunking.

[@wiwingmargahayu6831]

yeah small locomotive i mean freeview on the side of busy road on small town in java island

[@garenkidd4536]

i love locomotion zaddock

[@misterflibble6601]

So the modern day Locomotion is very much a case of being a "Ship of Theseus"

[@IsaacDaBoatSloth]

ship of thesius - at what point of replacing parts is it not the original

[@maskedlordofficial]

I've been told I was a decendent of Robert Stephenson by my grandmother with her dna test but i still need to do some dna testing to find out for sure just so i can confirm either way I was always fascination for this locomotive and other early steam as well

[@maskedlordofficial]

It would explain my fascination with steam locomotives if found true

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

@@maskedlordofficial Would it? How do I explain mine?

[@mylittlemusical6168]

The current locomotion is like the saying “if you replace every part of a broom, is it still the same broom?”

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

I guess it's a bit like a formula 1 car; in it's time it was at the fore front of technology, and as new innovations came alone it was adapted, so much that it's difficult to know if any of it is original.

[@stephensmith799]

I hadn’t realised how great Hackworth’s role was.

[@davidty2006]

Hackworth did play a massive role with the railways. notably with the creation of 0-6-0 freight engines and well... we can see how those ended up.

[@stephensmith799]

@@davidty2006 If one survived the terrible diseases of the C19th it must have been an exciting time to be an engineer!

[@mrsulzer5913]

Robert Wilson designed the two part wheel, Hackworth had no hand in the design

[@stephensmith799]

@@mrsulzer5913 thanks. The way early engineers innovated with the limited tools and materials available remains deeply, deeply impressive.

[@emmabird9745]

Great.

[@terrier_productions]

Couldn’t it have been better to cover Locomotion next year?

[@NatRailwayMuseum]

Interesting point. It would've been a big anniversary, but we wanted to get this out while the report was still relatively fresh

[@SaturnCanuck]

That was a fascinating history - as are all you “loco” videos. However, based on the thumbnail, you never explained how the engine was evil.

[@simonbrown5652]

What happened to the first steam locomotive to go to America, the Stourbridge Lion

[@terryhunt2659]

It was found to be too heavy for the tracks, so it was laid up and raided for parts. The boiler and a few other components eventually went to the Smithsonian Institution.

[@cemmy410]

​@@terryhunt2659The Stourbridge Lion's boiler is at the B&O Railroad Museum here in Baltimore

[@1825Steam-vl9ob]

Why are you perpetuating false facts about the two part wheels, these were invented by Robert Wilson for his chittypratt engine in 1825, these were simple two part spoked wheels which Stephensons continuously evolved to look as they do on the preserved engine. Hackworth had no involvement in the design of them, he did sketch them much later and Robert Young in his books gives credit to Hackworth failing to realise that the two part Robert Wilson wheels had been in use for almost 10 years. The fact you have the report by Dr Bailey where he explains the development of the wheels etc, makes me wonder why you are still giving credit to Hackworth

[@choochoooo317]

Bro is 199 years old

[@mikemccomie325]

👍

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

There is nothing 'infamous' about this locomotive. As a representative of the National Railway Museum, you ought to know better.

[@bobtudbury8505]

all our history is wrong, the Wright brothers also were not the first powered flight either.

[@frankwesterdorff]

'‘locomotion‘ belongs to darlington.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

On what grounds does a Newcastle-built locomotve which worked the first train between Shildon and Stockton 'belong to Darlington'?

[@Brigantius]

I believe Darlington financiers promoted and mostly paid for the S&DR (plus some other shareholders following the promotion), which is why it wasn't called e.g. the Stockton and Shildon railway. Also, the line began further west at collieries around Witton Park and not in Shildon. The locomotive spent nearly all of its retirement at Darlington until taken away to Shildon. The inaugural run in 1825 began at Darlington.

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

@@BrigantiusThe inaugural run of the steam-hauled section of the S&DR, on 27th September 1825, began at Shildon. Twelve waggons of coal had already arrived at Shildon from Phoenix Pit, near Witton Park, the starting point of the S&DR. These waggons had been hauled by horses, and by the steam winding engines on the two rope-worked inclines. A forther waggon of flour, and 21 empty waggons for the public, were then coupled to the locomotive. The passenger carriage, 'Experiment' was also included in the rake. The new engine, then known as 'Active' but later officially named 'Locomotion' is estimated to have set off from Shildon with a load of some 80-90 tons. Geogre Stephenson was driving, his brother Jem was the fireman, and Timothy Hackworth was the guard. Six waggons were detached at Darlington, and led by horses on the branch to North Road. The engine was fuelled and watered, and the journey continued onwards Stockton, pausing at the junction of the Yarm branch to detach more waggons for Yarm. When the train finally pulled alongside the quay at Stockton, there were estimated to be six hundred passengers aboard. Quite an acheivement, considering that the locomotive had only been delivered on the morning of the previous day.

[@garryferrington811]

Infamous?

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

The man's a disgrace. Any opportunity to discredit a British achievement is eagerly pounced on.

[@Philip-hv2kc]

Locomotion or do you mean locomotives?

[@GBradley66]

Nice video, but why “infamous”? This implies bad. Surely it should just be famous.

[@heroj6322]

It belongs to Darlington, not Shildon.

[@andypandy9013]

Stolen from Bank Top Station, Darlington by the NRM. 😠

[@tooleyheadbang4239]

It was displayed at Bank Top when I was a kid. It used to be at the S&D station at North Road before then. I don't remember anything about it being stolen, though. Are you thinking about 'The General' perhaps. Buster Keaton stole that!

[@mytinplaterailway]

Why the annoying music? The guy is trying to speak. Insults him and us.

[@keithtanner2806]

Photography was invented in 1822 BEFORE Locomotion was built. OK Locomotion wasn’t photographed but please get your facts correct as befits a curator relating history. I have noticed anomalies in other of your videos which puts me off much if your narrations.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

Most informative, but ... blimey .... poor old 'Scotsman' sometikes gets referred to as 'Trigger's Broom'!! Same question as on Oscars Night .... "Is any part of you real"? 😂

[@Blackpool2044]

I wish dogs was allowed in that museum I would love to go in there I have no one to look after my dog I love the railway hobby because most railway things allow dogs but sadly not the national rail museum I rilly don't no why

[@marksmith334]

Stolen from Darlington just before their bicentennial, shame on you

[@kiereluurs1243]

Ah, 'TRUTH'. ('REAL TRUTH'?) KZbin cliché. Never played, dislike.

[@marshallluddite]

gosh, no offence but you have some really dull presenters on this channel, like old trainspotters who got their dream job !

[@MrTonyHeath]

Strewth! Is nothing real?