George Stephenson became an assistant to his father and later followed in his footsteps to become the engineman at Killingworth colliery. It was there that Stephenson developed one of the earliest locomotives, called the Blücher, which ran on the Killingworth colliery railway in 1814. It was capable of pulling 30 tons up a grade at 4 miles per hour. He also convinced the mine manager to experiment with steam locomotion, and over the next several years Stephenson had built a further 16 engines at Killingworth.
While developing the Blücher, Stephenson lived in "Dial Cottage", which still stands on the Great Lime Road in West Moor, south of Killingworth. When George moved in the cottage consisted of one room and a garret reached by a ladder. By the time he left he had extended and converted the premises to become a comfortable four-roomed house. The cottage has a sundial, made by Stephenson himself, and a plaque above the door which reads
George Stephenson engineer. Inventor of the Locomotive Engine lived in this cottage from (1805 to 1823), his first locomotive (Blücher) was built at the adjacent colliery wagon shops, and on July 25th 1814 was placed on the wagonway which crosses the road at the east end of this cottage.
Description courtesy of Wikipedia.
11th December 2014
24th February 2010
Tour of the Stephenson family home, Dial Cottage.
More Information:
- Wikipedia - George Stephenson's Dial Cottage
- Historic England - Dial Cottage
- Sitelines - Dial Cottage
- N. E. History Tour - Dial Cottage, West Moor (NZ274705)
- Co-Curate - Dial Cottage, West Moor near Killingworth
See my other photos concerning George Stephenson:
- Westgate Road - George Stephenson Monument
- South Street - George Stephenson's Works
- George Stephensons Cottage on my Wylam page
See my other photos around Dial Cottage:
Visited this house when it was housing a collection of Blyth and Tyne related railway items. I lived in a house nearby and when my parents renovated it they found plans for the local pit covering the walls as a base for the paint! I'd assume were done by George in his job at the pit along Great Lime Road.
ReplyDeleteInteresting stuff, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the house opens to visitors on Heritage Open Days so I will try and pay a visit in September.
Can i use some of your photos to represent at a mueseum
ReplyDeletePlease contact me by email. Address in top left.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, thank you for this. There's one small inaccuracy about The Rocket being built here. The Stephenson's had established "Robert Stpehnson & Company" Locomotive builders in 1823 and the Forth Street Works at Newcastle upon Tyne as-well as the "George Stephenson and Son" in 1824.
ReplyDelete