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Puffing Billy's 200th anniversary to be celebrated | Puffing Billy's 200th anniversary to be celebrated |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The 200th anniversary of a steam locomotive that became the "beating heart" of a Northumberland village is to be celebrated. | The 200th anniversary of a steam locomotive that became the "beating heart" of a Northumberland village is to be celebrated. |
Puffing Billy was one of the first steam locomotives to transport coal from Wylam Colliery to Lemington Staithes on the River Tyne. | Puffing Billy was one of the first steam locomotives to transport coal from Wylam Colliery to Lemington Staithes on the River Tyne. |
Developed by Newburn-born engineer William Hedley in 1813, it paved the way for the development of the rail industry. | |
Now, 200 years later, communities from Wylam to Lemington will celebrate its "fantastic breakthrough" at the Puffing Billy Festival. | Now, 200 years later, communities from Wylam to Lemington will celebrate its "fantastic breakthrough" at the Puffing Billy Festival. |
Tom Martin, chairman of Wylam Parish Council, said "The steam railway was the beating heart of Wylam - it made it what it is today. | Tom Martin, chairman of Wylam Parish Council, said "The steam railway was the beating heart of Wylam - it made it what it is today. |
"It has a fantastic railway heritage. Wylam 200 years ago would be unrecognisable, it was what developed and created how Wylam is now." | "It has a fantastic railway heritage. Wylam 200 years ago would be unrecognisable, it was what developed and created how Wylam is now." |
The Puffing Billy was a commercial steam engine used to haul coal wagons on metal rails. | The Puffing Billy was a commercial steam engine used to haul coal wagons on metal rails. |
Hedley discovered that a smooth wheel running on a smooth rail could provide enough friction for an engine to pull a train of loaded wagons. | Hedley discovered that a smooth wheel running on a smooth rail could provide enough friction for an engine to pull a train of loaded wagons. |
Prior to the Puffing Billy, horses pulled single wagons on wooden rails. | Prior to the Puffing Billy, horses pulled single wagons on wooden rails. |
The locomotive took about 12 minutes to cover one mile of track, travelling at about 5mph. | The locomotive took about 12 minutes to cover one mile of track, travelling at about 5mph. |
'Fosters community groups' | 'Fosters community groups' |
The Puffing Billy remained in use until 1862 and the original locomotive is on display in the Science Museum in London - the oldest locomotive in the world to do so. | The Puffing Billy remained in use until 1862 and the original locomotive is on display in the Science Museum in London - the oldest locomotive in the world to do so. |
The "historic importance" of the Puffing Billy is realised by the village of Wylam as it is used as the council's emblem at the entrance of the village. | The "historic importance" of the Puffing Billy is realised by the village of Wylam as it is used as the council's emblem at the entrance of the village. |
A fully operational replica of the locomotive was built and launched by Beamish Museum in 2005. | A fully operational replica of the locomotive was built and launched by Beamish Museum in 2005. |
To commemorate 200 years since its invention, Wylam Parish Council and Beamish Museum would like local groups and communities to help celebrate its history. | To commemorate 200 years since its invention, Wylam Parish Council and Beamish Museum would like local groups and communities to help celebrate its history. |
Throughout the summer, a series of events will be held to celebrate Hedley's feat, culminating in the replica of Puffing Billy on display at Wylam and Newburn in September. | Throughout the summer, a series of events will be held to celebrate Hedley's feat, culminating in the replica of Puffing Billy on display at Wylam and Newburn in September. |
Mr Martin said: "We are enormously looking forward to it. | Mr Martin said: "We are enormously looking forward to it. |
"It will have a positive effect for the village and I hope it fosters community groups along the line. | "It will have a positive effect for the village and I hope it fosters community groups along the line. |
"It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and have a knees up at the same time." | "It's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and have a knees up at the same time." |
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