Richard Trevithick's Coalbrookdale Locomotive of 1802

Here is a replica of the first ever high pressure steam locomotive, Richard Trevithick's 1802 Coalbrookdale Locomotive. This machine was recreated from drawings at the Science Museum in London, by a team of apprentices at GKN Sankey in Telford. We see it here in steam at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire, UK, in July 2012. It runs on a 3' iron rail plateway. There is no evidence as to whether the original 1802 engine ever ran successfully, however this replice, with a few safety modifications, has been running well and regularly steamed since it was completed in 1990.

[@renegadeoflife87]

As I understand it the Trevithick locomotive uses a very different valve linkage from the locomotives that would come later. A mechanism would pull the rod forward and leave it there, then push it back and leave it there. Like so there was no expansion of the steam, the exhaust was very nearly at inlet pressure. This was not fuel efficient, but it was undoubtedly powerful. And for the comparably low steam pressures of the time compared to later engines, it was suffiicent for the work to be done.
Later engines would incorporate more sophisticated valves which allowed the steam to expand before release, improving efficiency.

[@darkninjacorporation]

I can’t believe this was designed in 1802. That’s such a ridiculously early time.
Like, 1776: American independence.
25 years later: first locomotive

[@florjanbrudar692]

Seeing is believing

[@florjanbrudar692]

I might've heard before, but was the real Coalbrookdale Locomotive scrapped?

[@olivvapor4873]

Thank you for sharing that too brieve document ... what an awesome machine !

[@BurlSolomons]

Thanks for your comment. I think it is amazing that someone went to the trouble of making a replica of a 180 year old design for a steam engine just to prove that it would work! Please have a look at my other "steam" videos.

[@olivvapor4873]

Agree ... :-)
Cerainly will have a look to your pages ...