Steam Train History

The history of the steam train actually goes back to a time much earlier than even the earliest form of machine-assisted locomotion. Its roots can actually be traced back to the time of the Romans, who devised a means by which their various carts and carriages traversed the streets on grooves that were cut into the road. This allowed a much more stable and safer passage and paved the way for the future development of railroad tracks.

This practice gradually evolved into the use of railroad cars that were pulled along by horses in the coalmines of England. By the year 1630, the system of using wagons and carts with iron wheels on wooden tracks was in common use, although these were still pulled along by horses. This new innovation in transport was deemed to have considerable advantages in traversing slopes and maneuvering over rough terrain.

While these early tracks were made out of wood, they were later covered in iron in an attempt to reduce wear and tear. This attempt was so successful that by 1776, a railroad system that was made out of iron bars set onto wooden beams made its debut in Sheffield, England.

The very first steam train to traverse the railroad tracks was the invention of Richard Trevithick. In February of 1804, Trevithick used his invention to haul a cargo of coal to Penydarran, South Wales in order to convince mine owners of its value to their industry. Constructed out of iron and featuring an inner furnace, Trevithick’s invention was strikingly similar to the steam trains that later became widely popular.

As impressive as this first steam train was, it was far too expensive and impractical to be of any use and so it was a while before the steam train again made an appearance. In fact it wasn’t until Matthew Murray built a twin cylinder locomotive for the Middleton Railway in 1812, that the steam train was again considered a viable alternative to the horse drawn carriages.

However in spite of this success, the world still was not ready for steam powered locomotion and it would be almost 20 years before the first commercially successful steam train was introduced: the Stephenson's Rocket, which was named after its inventor, Robert Stephenson. By then there was no denying the capability of the steam driven train.