Possibly one of the most famous early steam locomotives. Built in 1830 for the Rainhill Trials on the newly built Liverpool to Manchester railway, the first inter-city rail route, it won the competition by a wide margin, with its prize of £500. It also resulted in Stephenson getting an order for more simular locomotives.
It isn't a surprise that such an important early locomotive should survive. Much of it's recent life was spent in the Science Museum in London, but less than three years ago it was moved to it's new home in York.
What may be more of a surprise is that the original isn't the only version of the Rocket to be seen in York. The top left image shows the original, much modified, locomotive.
The Rocket shown top right is a cut-away static replica builtinn 1935. The interior of the cylinders and boiler can be seen to help people understand how it worked.
The Rocket shown bottom left is a working replica built in 1979 ready for the 150th anniversary of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. In this shot it was being used in the south yard of the railway museum to take visitors for a ride in replica coaches.
Just for fun I have added another replica Rocket bottom right that the railway museum sponsored. It is an ice sculpture of the Rocket on display in February 2020 on High Petergate as part of the York Ice Trail weekend.
Really must get myself to my favourite museum to say hello to Mallard (I still harbour the longing to bring him home but he won’t fit in my handbag) and Rocket. Lovely to see these photos.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I'm rather surprised that the original and both replicas are in the York museum. I would have expected one of the replicas to be at the second branch of the railway museum at Shildon.
Bri - there is an Ice Sculpture Trail in York planned for the weekend of 5th and 6th of February. Hopefully Covid-19 rates will fall by then and I will be following the trail.
Jesika - I think someone would notice if you tried to smuggle the Mallard out of the railway museum! Don't forget if you do visit you need a pre-booked slot to get admission. When I last went numbers of visitors were quite low so it felt quite safe to be in there.
@fishers my very kind 10 year old neighbour tells me I’m too old to drive Mallard. Rubbish. But I did tell him my true age which is, and always has been, 174! He also says Mallard wouldn’t fit on our narrow street… Doubting Joshua. I won’t be going any time soon, but thanks for the information.
I think I would settle for seeing Mallard in steam on the main line. Last time I saw Mallard out of the museum was when the Azuma launch took place and Mallard had the indignity of being towed by a freight diesel front and back. It could be a while before my next visit. We are tending to stay close to home with the latest increase in Covid-19 cases.
It is quite interesting to see the differences between the original and the replicas. The original had been changed a lot by the time it was preserved.
Ian
January 4th, 2022
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Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
I'm rather surprised that the original and both replicas are in the York museum. I would have expected one of the replicas to be at the second branch of the railway museum at Shildon.
Bri - there is an Ice Sculpture Trail in York planned for the weekend of 5th and 6th of February. Hopefully Covid-19 rates will fall by then and I will be following the trail.
Jesika - I think someone would notice if you tried to smuggle the Mallard out of the railway museum! Don't forget if you do visit you need a pre-booked slot to get admission. When I last went numbers of visitors were quite low so it felt quite safe to be in there.
Ian
I think I would settle for seeing Mallard in steam on the main line. Last time I saw Mallard out of the museum was when the Azuma launch took place and Mallard had the indignity of being towed by a freight diesel front and back. It could be a while before my next visit. We are tending to stay close to home with the latest increase in Covid-19 cases.
Ian
Thank you all for your comments and favs.
It is quite interesting to see the differences between the original and the replicas. The original had been changed a lot by the time it was preserved.
Ian