Trevithick's model road locomotive engine

Trevithick's original model road locomotive engine, unsigned, British, 1796-1802. This model is possibly constructed by either Richard Trevithick, or Whitehead & Co., of Manchester.

This is a working test model made by Richard Trevithick, constructor of the world's first steam railway locomotive. Trevithick had developed a compact high-pressure steam engine to provide Cornish ore mines with a more fuel efficient pumping engine than the standard Watt type, and soon turned his attention to self-moving engines. The success of this model encouraged Trevithick to manufacture full-sized road and rail locomotives. The first railway locomotive ran in 1803, and Trevithick's third machine, 'Catch Me Who Can', was demonstrated on a circular track near Euston Road, London, in 1808.