Pen-y-Darren Steam Locomotive

In 1803/4 Richard Trevithick (1771-1833), a Cornish steam engineer, designed the first steam locomotive for the Pen-y-Darren ironworks in Wales. There were at least three versions of the engine. The first, known as the Coalbrookdale Engine only survives as a drawing presently housed in the Science Museum, London. It is not known if this design was ever built or operated. The second was a development from the first improving the layout, particularly for the safety and convenience of the driver. A third engine licenced to Christopher Blackett and was built in Gateshead, near Newcastle. Four years ago, on a visit to Swansea’s Waterside Museum, I photographed a full-size replica of the second engine. The engine probably had a trailer or tender as a place for the driver to stand and to carry extra water and coal. While the reproductions I’ve seen have tenders, they are all different and there aren’t any original drawings. The tender in this model is from the Swansea museum reproduction.