As we see lots of change happening in technology of mobility let’s not forget the small arcorn from which great things emerged two centuries ago … a historical first in an innovation that helped open-up whole continents for millions of travellers.
This map dating from 1822 shows the route the first public railway that became the first to carry passengers on steam locomotives — the Stockton & Darlington Railway originated in the coalfields near Bishop Auckland, Co Durham in the north east of England.
Rail route opened a few years later around 1825:
https://images.app.goo.gl/V1dsbCHdPBXCvpB56
C4F44843-EF77-4F59-BB79-0A5CD4FE1125.jpg Credits for images per the links
Another map from prospectus is a year earlier shows place names a bit more clearly
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The Stockton & Darlington Railroad was opened on 27 September 1825. On this day, George Stephenson's steam engine Locomotion pulled a full load of passengers from Shildon to Stockton via Darlington. The 27 mile (43 km) journey took less than 3 hours.
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There were thirty-two wagons in the train which, pulled by the Locomotion, travelled at about 10 miles per hour. This event marked the beginning of the railway age.
Rail historians say: "In 1825 there were only 25 miles of public railroad open in the world. 50 years later this had grown to 160,000 miles and continued at an amazing pace thereafter."
Collieries served by those couple of dozen miles of track included those around Witton Park and Cockfield on the edge of the historic market town of Bishop Auckland with its of Palace of the “Prince Bishops” of Durham origins f which date back to a hunting lodge and deer park established in the 12th century.
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Medieval feudal systems of old had long given way to the industrial revolution. Steam locomotive innovations incubated in south west Durham coalfields underpinned enhanced mobility and were a catalyst for societal change ans migrations all around the world,
… as they say, “the rest is history”
Steve
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