Chapter 8

GEORGE STEPHENSON ENGINEER OF THE STOCKTON AND DARLINGTON RAILWAY.

The Bishop Auckland Coal-field--Edward Pease 123-145 projects a railway from Witton to Stockton--The Bill rejected--The line re-surveyed, and the Act obtained--George Stephenson's visit to Edward Pease--Appointed engineer of the railway--Again surveys the line--Mr. Pease visits Killingworth--The Newcastle locomotive works projected--The railway constructed--Locomotives ordered--Stephenson's anticipations as to railways--Public opening of the line--The coal traffic--The first railway passenger-coach--The coaching traffic described--The "Locomotion" engine--Race with stage-coach--Commercial results of the Stockton and Darlington Railway--The town of Middlesborough created