Letter from William Kitching, Darlington to Timothy Hackworth, Railway Tavern, Rain Hill, Nr Warrington, Lancashire

Refers to lack of correspondence from Alfred Kitching. Hopes to hear that 'fair play had been allowed to the different engine makers who were competitors for the premium' and 'from the very cool reception that a Timothy receiv'd from Forth Street shew'd very plainly he was much afraid of the Shildon production'. Describes one of Stephenson’s engine condemned after a week, describes it starting by itself and potential dangers of engine 'This 'maniac' was a Forth Street production' and was towed to the 'hospital' by Royal George, a Hackworth engine. Describes engine designed by Booth. Referenced in Robert Young, Timothy Hackworth and the Locomotive (London: Locomotive Publishing Company, 1923), p. 301.