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Stephenson's Rocket locomotive, illustration
Stephenson's Rocket locomotive. Cutaway illustration of the early steam locomotive built in 1829 by British engineer George Stephenson and his son Robert. It was one of the most advanced locomotives of its time. It competed in and won the trials held by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company at Rainhill. It completed 20 laps of the course and attained a top speed of 38 kilometres per hour. Modifications to the design were made in 1830. Coke (a high-carbon-content fossil fuel) was shovelled into its firebox, and burnt to boil water (in the boiler at left). This produced steam that moved the pistons that turned the wheels.
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