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The Rainhill Story: Stephenson's Rocket

First transmitted in 1979, this programme looks at the Rainhill Locomotive Trials in 1829, and attempts to rebuild Stephenson's 'Rocket'.

First transmitted in 1979, this programme looks at the Rainhill Locomotive Trials in Rainhill, Lancashire (now Merseyside) in 1829, a competition to find the best passenger steam locomotive in Britain.On the 150th anniversary of the trials, replicas of its famous winner - Stephenson's 'Rocket' - and two of its competitors are rebuilt by modern day designers, and the trials are reconstructed in Hyde Park.

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49 minutes

Last on

Wed 8 Jun 198315:00
BBC One

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BBC Four Steam Railways Collection

BBC Four Steam Railways Collection
This programme is part of a collection of programmes celebrating Britain’s extraordinary Steam Railway legacy.

Go to the BBC Four Steam Railways Collection

About BBC Four Collection programmes

Programmes are selected, in part, for their historical context and reflect the broadcast standards and attitudes of their time, which may not accord to some current BBC editorial guidelines. We aim to select programmes which can be shown in their entirety but in some cases edits are required.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 30 Nov 197920:10
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Sat 17 May 198018:00
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Wed 8 Jun 198315:00
    BBC One

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