Full size replica Stephenson’s Rocket outside Albert Hall, London 1979
The original Rocket steam locomotive was built by George Stephenson, a British civil engineer and mechanical engineer during the Industrial Revolution, in 1829 at his Newcastle upon Tyne works.
In a celebration marking 150 years since its historic victory at the Rainhill Trials, Stephenson’s Rocket Rides Again captivated crowds in London. The event, held in August-September 1979, was organised by the Science Museum, London, and took place on a special section of track in Hyde Park, directly outside the majestic Royal Albert Hall on Kensington Gore.
This commemorative occasion celebrated the pioneering locomotive’s original triumph in 1829, where it was chosen as the most effective design for the new Liverpool and Manchester Railway. For a brief period, the public had the unique opportunity to witness a full-scale working replica of Stephenson’s Rocket in motion, bringing a piece of industrial history to life in the heart of the capital. It was a fitting tribute to a machine that revolutionised rail travel and laid the groundwork for the modern railway age.
This captivating moment from the Rocket Rides Again event is available as a series of prints from fiofoto.com. Bring the history and engineering marvel of Stephenson’s Rocket into your home or office, own a piece of this unique commemorative occasion.
BUY A PRINTPhotos circa September 1979, personal journal.
