described—The resident engineers—Mr. Dixon’s visit of inspection—Stephenson’s theory of a floating road—Operations begun—Tar-barrel drains—The embankment sinks in the Moss—Proposed abandonment of the work—Stephenson perseveres—The obstacles conquered—Road

across Parr Moss—The road formed—Stephenson’s organization of labour—The Liverpool Tunnel—Olive Mount Cutting—Sankey Viaduct—Stephenson and Cropper—Stephenson’s labours—Pupils and assistants—His daily life—Practical education—Evenings at home

173–192

CHAPTER XI.

Robert Stephenson’s Residence in Colombia and Return—The Battle of the Locomotive—The “Rocket.”

Robert Stephenson mining engineer in Colombia—Mule journey to Bogota—Mariquita—Silver mining—Difficulties with the Cornishmen—His cottage at Santa Anna—Longs to return home—Resigns his post—Meeting with Trevithick—Voyage to New York, and shipwreck—Returns to Newcastle, and takes charge of the factory—The working power of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway—Fixed engines and locomotives, and their respective advocates—Walker and Rastrick’s report—A prize offered for the best locomotive—Conferences of the Stephensons—Boiler arrangements and heating surface—Mr. Booth’s contrivance—Building of the “Rocket”—The competition of engines at Rainhill—The “Novelty” and “Sanspareil”—Triumph of the “Rocket,” and its destination

193–220

CHAPTER XII.

Opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, and Extension of the Railway System.

The railway finished—The traffic arrangements organized—Public opening of the line—Accident to Mr. Huskisson—Arrival of the trains at Manchester—The traffic results—Improvement of the road and rolling stock—Improvements in the locomotive—The railway a wonder—Extension of the railway system—Joint-stock railway companies—New lines projected—New engineers—The Grand Junction—Public opposition to railways—Robert Stephenson engineer to the Leicester and Swannington Railway—George Stephenson removes to Snibston—Sinks for and gets coal—Stimulates local enterprise—His liberality

221–236

CHAPTER XIII.

Robert Stephenson constructs the London and Birmingham Railway.

The line projected—George and Robert Stephenson appointed engineers—Opposition—Hostile pamphlets and public meetings—Robert Stephenson and Sir Astley Cooper—The survey obstructed—The opposing clergyman—The Bill in Parliament—Thrown out in the Lords—Proprietors conciliated, and the Act obtained—The works let in contracts—The difficulties of the undertaking—The line described—Blisworth Cutting—Primrose Hill Tunnel—Kilsby Tunnel—Its construction described—Cost of the Railway greatly increased—Failure of contractors—Magnitude of the works—Railway navvies

237–252

CHAPTER XIV.

Manchester and Leeds, and Midland Railways—Stephenson’s Life at Alton—Visit to Belgium—General Extension of Railways and their Results.

Projection of new lines—Dutton Viaduct, Grand Junction—The Manchester and Leeds—Summit Tunnel, Littleborough—Magnitude of the work—The Midland Railway—The works compared with the Simplon road—Slip near Ambergate—Bull Bridge—The York and North Midland—George Stephenson on his surveys—His quick observation—Travelling and correspondence—Life at Alton Grange—The Stephensons’ London office—Visits to Belgium—Interviews with the King—Public openings of English railways—Stephenson’s pupils and assistants—Prophecies falsified concerning railways—Their advantageous results

253–274

CHAPTER XV.

George Stephenson’s Coal Mines—The Atmospheric System—Railway Mania—Visits to Belgium and Spain.

George Stephenson on railways and coal-traffic—Leases the Claycross estate, and sinks for coal—His extensive lime-works—Removes to Tapton House—British Association at Newcastle—

Appears at Mechanics’ Institutes—Speech at Leeds—His self-acting brake—His views of railway speed—Theory of “undulating lines”—Chester and Birkenhead Company—Stephenson’s liberality—Atmospheric railways projected—Stephenson opposes the principle of working—The railway mania—Stephenson resists, and warns against it—George Hudson, “Railway King”—Parliament and the mania—Stephenson’s letter to Sir R. Peel—Again visits Belgium—Interviews with King Leopold—Journey into Spain

275–300

CHAPTER XVI.

Robert Stephenson’s Career—The Stephensons and Brunel—East Coast Route to Scotland—Royal Border Bridge, Berwick—High Level Bridge, Newcastle.

George Stephenson’s retirement—Robert’s employment as Parliamentary Engineer—His rival Brunel—The Great Western Railway—The width of gauge—Robert Stephenson’s caution as to investments—The Newcastle and Berwick Railway—Contest in Parliament—George Stephenson’s interview with Lord Howick—Royal Border Bridge, Berwick—Progress of iron-bridge building—Robert Stephenson constructs the High Level Bridge, Newcastle—Pile-driving by steam—Characteristics of the structure—Through railway to Scotland completed