Rainhill Trials in the Illustrated London News

Resource Type: Image | Posted on 21st October 2011 by Liam Physick

One of the images donated to Metal by Eric Shenton. This is a contemporary drawing from the Illustrated London News, depicting the Rainhill Trials. Crowds line the tracks cheering and doffing their hats to the locomotives. Note the two Union flags waving, symbolising the patriotic pride in the fact that Britain has pioneered this revolutionary mode of transport. The Rocket is visible in the forground - its position in the picture symbolises its ultimate victory in the Trials. In the background you can see the two unsuccessful entrants, the Novelty (left) and the Sans Pareil

Tagged under: steam locomotives, eric shenton, tender locomotives, rocket, rainhill trials, tank locomotives, sans pareil, novelty

Categorised under: The Station & Railway Pioneers