The Life of George Stephenson and of his Son Robert Stephenson Comprising Also a History of the Invention and Introduction of the Railway Locomotive

CHAPTER XVII.

Chapter 2078 wordsPublic domain

ROBERT STEPHENSON'S CAREER--EAST COAST ROUTE TO SCOTLAND--HIGH-LEVEL BRIDGE, NEWCASTLE.

Robert Stephenson's Career.--His extensive Employment as Parliamentary Engineer.--His rival, Brunel.--The Great Western Railway.--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.--The Royal Border Bridge, Berwick.--Progress of Iron Bridge-building.--Robert Stephenson constructs the High-Level Bridge, Newcastle.--Pile-driving by Steam.--Merits of the Structure.--The through Railway to Scotland completed. 421