18
A. Ghosh
and the era of ‘atmospheric engines’ finally was over. Trevithick’s engine had the
modern look, and the traditional rocking beam was eliminated and the ‘direct-acting
engine mechanism’ was introduced. He developed both locomotives and stationary
engines. Figures 19 and 20 show Trevithick’s locomotive and engine.
It is not commonly remembered that the father of steam locomotive is not
Stephenson as popularly believed but Richard Trevithick is the true inventor. Unfortunately, he was away from England when the first rail line was proposed, and George
Fig. 19 Steam locomotive developed by Trevithick in 1801
Fig. 20 Stationary steam
engine developed by
Trevithick in 1805
A. Ghosh
and the era of ‘atmospheric engines’ finally was over. Trevithick’s engine had the
modern look, and the traditional rocking beam was eliminated and the ‘direct-acting
engine mechanism’ was introduced. He developed both locomotives and stationary
engines. Figures 19 and 20 show Trevithick’s locomotive and engine.
It is not commonly remembered that the father of steam locomotive is not
Stephenson as popularly believed but Richard Trevithick is the true inventor. Unfortunately, he was away from England when the first rail line was proposed, and George
Fig. 19 Steam locomotive developed by Trevithick in 1801
Fig. 20 Stationary steam
engine developed by
Trevithick in 1805