This image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
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.
On display
Science Museum: Making the Modern World Gallery
If you are visiting to see this object, please contact us in advance to make sure that it will be on display.
Related people
Details
- Category:
- Road Transport
- Object Number:
- 1876-1269
- Materials:
- asbestos, brass (copper, zinc alloy) and metal (unknown)
- Measurements:
-
overall (from outside case): 380 mm x 270 mm x 180 mm,
- type:
- steam engine
- taxonomy:
-
- visual and verbal communication
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- engine - power producing equipment
- credit:
- Bennet Woodcroft Bequest
Cite this page
Rights
We encourage the use and reuse of our collection data.
Data in the title, made, maker and details fields are released under Creative Commons Zero
Descriptions and all other text content are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence
Download
Download catalogue entry as json
View 
manifest in IIIF viewer
Add to Animal Crossing Art Generator
Download manifest IIIF
Our records are constantly being enhanced and improved, but please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information shown on this website.
