In the autumn of 1825 the _Times_ gave an account of the origin of one of
the most gigantic enterprises of modern times. In that year the
Darlington and Stockton Railway was formally opened by the proprietors
for the use of the public. It was a single railway, and the object of
its promoters was to open the London market to the Durham Collieries, as
well as to facilitate the obtaining of fuel to the country along its line
and certain parts of Yorkshire. The account of the opening says:—
A train of carriages was attached to a locomotive engine of the most
improved construction, and built by Mr. George Stephenson, in the
following order:—(1) Locomotive engine, with the engineer and assistants;
(2) tender with coals and water; next six wagons loaded with coals and
flour; then an elegant covered coach, with the committee and other
proprietors of the railway; then 21 wagons fitted up on the occasion for
passengers; and, last of all, six wagons loaded with coals, making
altogether a train of 38 carriages, exclusive of the engine and tender.
Tickets were distributed to the number of nearly 300 for those whom it
was intended should occupy the coach and wagons; but such was the
pressure and crowd that both loaded and empty carriages were instantly
filled with passengers. The signal being given, the engine started off
with this immense train of carriages. In some parts the speed was
frequently 12 miles per hour, and in one place, for a short distance,
near Darlington, 15 miles per hour, and at that time the number of
passengers was counted to 450, which, together with the coals,
merchandise, and carriages, would amount to nearly 90 tons. After some
little delay in arranging the procession, the engine, with her load,
arrived at Darlington a distance of eight miles and three-quarters, in 65
minutes, exclusive of stops, averaging about eight miles an hour. The
engine arrived at Stockton in three hours and seven minutes after leaving
Darlington, including stops, the distance being nearly 12 miles, which is
at the rate of four miles an hour, and upon the level part of the railway
the number of passengers in the wagons was counted about 550, and several
more clung to the carriages on each side, so that the whole number could
not be less than 600.