West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-10-18
Opening of the First Passenger Railway.

Fifty years ago-that is, September,
lSBO-the first passenger railway in
England, the Liverpool and Manchester
Railway, was opened with great ceremony.
A year before a prize OF $500 had been
on for the best locomotive engine
which had been won by Robert Stephen
sons Rocket, upon which were subsequently,
modelled the old grasshopper engines of the
Baltimore x Ohio Railroad, their appearance
being suggestive Of their name. Eight To-
connective engines had been completed and
placed upon the line. and all had been
tested with entire success. To every engine
was attached four passenger carriages, each
containing twenty persons. The first en-
gino, the Northumbrian, drew the most dis
tingmshed gucsts-thc Duke of Wellington.
Sir Robert Peel, and other members of the
Ministry. 1t had one line of the double
track TO itself. The other seven locomo-
tives with their carriages, followed each
other on the other line. The procession
started from Liverpool at IL o'clock, with
flags, music, fine weather, and great enthu-
siasm. Seventeen miles from Liverpool
they stopped TO take in water, and i'm order
TO afford the Duke of Wellington an oppor-
tunity OF seeing the procession, the seven
locomotives, with their carriages, were or
dered to pass slowly by the Northumbrian
standing on its track. Several gentlemen
had alighted while the locomotives were
taking in water, and one of them, Mr..
Huskisson, member of Parliament for Liv
erpool, and an a nest supporter of the rail-
road cause, catching sight Of the Duke of
Wellington, between whom and himself
there had been some political GOODNESS. nan
eagerly across the track to shake him bv
the hand. AT that moment the order was
given for the seven engines TO move for
ward, Mr.. Huskisson was bewildered. The
Rocket, which was the leading engine
struck him while he was still in doubt
where TO flee. The wheels went over his
leg and thigh, and he expired that evening.
The accident cast deep gloom over the
days festivity. The trip was concluded
that people waiting along the line might
not be disappointed, but all rejoicing and
gayety were at an end. The next day the
railway was opened for passenger traffic.
and carried 40 persons from Liverpool 10
Manchester in two hours The original
calculations of the construction had been
based on probable returns from heavy mer-
chandise trafflc-coal, cotton and iron.
lhey nad formed no high expectation OF
any great emolument from transporting
passengers. But the railway was hardly
opened before an average Of 200 persons
daily were willing TO trust il with their
lives. In few years it was found that
the enormous traffic was too heavy for the
original rails, and II became necessary "a
relay the road al considerable expense.
But though September 10, 1880 is the
greatest day in railroad annals, being that
on which the worlds first railroad was
opened complete, the Maryland Rail
road preceded the Liverpool and Manches
ter IN utility. The first sod Of the Balt.
more and Ohio Railroad was broken for il,
construction July 4, 1898, and by the next
year, horse cars, assisted by one IOcomo
tive engine, were carrying passengers and
traffic between Baltimore, the Relay House,
aud Ellicott's Mills.