1830: Liverpool and Manchester Railway
The world's first inter-city railway opened in September 1830, linking Liverpool with Manchester. Legendary engineer George Stephenson was tasked with the line's construction. He faced numerous challenges, including crossing the peat bog at Chat Moss. His ingenious solution, which involved “floating” the railway across the bog, is still in use to this day.
Stephenson also successfully proved that steam locomotives would be the best form of motive power, at the famous Rainhill Trials in 1829, where his Rocket locomotive successfully travelled the equivalent of a 35 mile journey from Liverpool to Manchester.
Despite the tragedy of the opening day when Lord Huskisson was struck and killed, the railway was an immediate success, drastically cutting travel time between the two cities. A period of “railway mania” followed, with speculators and investors rushing to build railway lines across the country.
Stephenson's route is still in use to this day, now carrying electric express trains at speeds of up to 90mph.
