|
Date: |
|
Description: | Song in celebration of the Stockton-Darlington railway bridge. - In 1825 George Stephenson built the first public steam railway, which ran from Stockton to Darlington. After building the first iron railway bridge, which crossed the Gaunless River, Stephenson was the natural choice to design a bridge over the River Skerne in Darlington. However, delays by Stephenson in deciding on the basis of the structure, resulted in the Committee approaching the architect, Ignatius Bonomi. The foundation stone was laid by Francis Newburn on 6th July, 1824.Throughout the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, various canal and railway projects were discussed in Northumberland and Durham. It was hoped that improved transport could cut the cost of supplying coals to the London market. Although various canal projects were discussed, none were carried through, partly because of engineering difficulties and partly due to cost.In 1821 Parliament authorised the construction of the Darlington to Stockton railway, 'To make our trade for to increase, the long wish'd Act we did obtain'. The railway opened on 27th September, 1825. This is one of a number of songs written to promote both local enterprise and to float shares in particular schemes.This song is part of the John Bell Collection. ; A collection of broadsheets on various subjects, with accompanying press cuttings and manuscript notes in the hand of John Bell. | Publisher: | unknown | Rights holder: | rights holder : Newcastle University | Subjects: | railways & bridges industry and occupation | Temporal: | start=1801;end=1840; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:N0114501 | Go to resource |
|
|