Stephenson's Rocket is an early 0-2-2 steam locomotive built in Newcastle at the Forth Street Works of Robert Stephenson and Company in 1829. A working replica was later built for the National Railway Museum in 1979.
Technical Details
Real-Life History
Stephenson's Rocket is perhaps one of the most famous engines in the world, launching the steam age at the Liverpool and Manchester Railway's Rainhill Trials of 1829, beating four other engines to win. The real Rocket, though rebuilt in the early 1830s, lives at the National Railway Museum in York alongside a working replica of the original design, built in 1979. There is also another replica Rocket living at the NRM, built in 1935 as a sectionalised reproduction, numbered 4089.
During 2007, the 1979 replica was withdrawn because its ten-year boiler certificate had expired. In addition to this, the museum plans to fit a new boiler with a riveted copper firebox and more accurate frames. The NRM managed to raise funds for Rocket's next overhaul at the Flour Mill Boiler Works in the Forest of Dean, which was completed in January 2010. This Rocket replica once again returned to steam in 2019 after an overhaul.
Though the Rocket was not the first steam locomotive, it was the first to bring together several innovations to produce the most advanced locomotive of its day.
Livery
The 1979 replica Rocket is painted yellow with black lining, a white funnel and a brown water tank.
Appearances
The Railway Series
- Thomas and the Great Railway Show - Not the Ticket (cameo; 1979 replica)
Companion Volumes
- 1979 - Annual (mentioned)
- 1995 - The Thomas the Tank Engine Man
- 1998 - Annual
- 1999 - Annual
Voice Actors
- Mahito Tsujimura (Japan; Hashire! The "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends" Steam Locomotive is Alive!)
Trivia
- The Rev W. Awdry's model of Stephenson's Rocket is currently on display at the Narrow Gauge Museum in Tywyn as part of the Awdry Collection. It was converted from an Airfix kit and depicts Rocket in its later form, with lower cylinders and a smokebox.
- In 2025, Clive Spong stated he considered Stephenson's Rocket to be sentient despite not being illustrated with a face. The lack of a face was due to illustrating the importance of historical accuracy of the mechanical details.[1]
- In Thomas & Friends, Stephenson's Rocket is represented as Stephen. Though his design is based on the post-Rainhill modifications, Stephen has identified himself as the original Rocket, describing the Rainhill trials and his subsequent working years.
Gallery
The Railway Series
Main Series
Miscellaneous
Others
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 01Salty. 12 May 2025. "40 Questions with Clive Spong". Accessed 12 May 2025. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025.
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