Manuscript notebook belonging to J. U. Rastrick used to record details of the Rainhill locomotive trials, 1829, Rastrick being a judge at the trials. The notebook includes sketches of locomotives that were part of the trail, including the winner, Stephenson’s Rocket. It notes dimensions and weights and observations and timings from the runs themselves.

First pages are not dated, these include a print of a coat of arms, with inscription 'RASTRICK', a note of work done in North Wales, near Chester, measurements and notes and a sketch of a 'Horse Machine' in pencil and drawings and notes of Liverpool dock walls in ink. First dated entry is from Bolton Railway on 18 September 1829. The notebook also includes printed notices and newspaper clips of the locomotive trial, notes of other work projects and experiments, such as St Helens Railway in August 1833. In the end pages are also costings for Engineers Dinner held in 1829.