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 III.

Chapter 385 wordsPublic domain

THE CORNISH LOCOMOTIVE--MEMOIR OF TREVITHICK.

Early Welsh Railway Acts.--Wandsworth, Croydon, and Merstham Railway.--Boyhood of Trevithick.--Becomes an Engineer.--His Career.--Constructs a Steam-carriage.--Its Exhibition in London.--Constructs a Tram-engine.--Its Trial on the Merthyr Railroad.--Trevithick's Improvements in the Steam-engine.--Attempts to construct a Tunnel under the Thames.--His numerous Inventions and Patents.--Engines ordered of him for Peru.--Trevithick a Mining Engineer in South America.--Is ruined by the Peruvian Revolution.--His return Home.--His last Patents.--Death and Characteristics. 73