Stephenson's Rocket
Stephenson's Rocket, the first 'modern' locomotive, steamed ahead to win the Rainhill Trials in October 1829. Although it wasn't the first steam locomotive, Rocket became the forerunner for most steam locomotives built since. The train was designed and built by George Stephenson and his son Robert, with the help of Henry Booth and used a multi-tube boiler and a blast pipe for the first time.

The trials, which were organised by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company, set out to find the best locomotive engine for a railway line that was being built between the two cities. More than 15,000 people came to watch the five locomotives race along the 50-mile round trip. Rocket easily won – powering along at an average of 12 miles an hour, with a top speed at one point of 29 miles an hour.