Topics > People in History > George Stephenson (1781 - 1848) > Extracts from Biography of George and Robert Stephenson > 1844: London to Newcastle in 9 Hours!
1844: London to Newcastle in 9 Hours!
Extract from: The Life of George Stephenson and of his son Robert Stephenson, by Samuel Smiles, 1881.
On the 18th of June, 1844, the Newcastle and Darlington line - an important link of the great main highway to the north - was completed and publicly opened, thus connecting the Thames and the Tyne by a continuous line of railway. On that day George Stephenson and a distinguished party of railway men travelled by express train from London to Newcastle in about nine hours. It was a great event, and was worthily celebrated. The population of Newcastle held holiday; and a banquet given in the Assembly Rooms the same evening assumed the form of an ovation to Mr. Stephenson and his son.

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1844
- < 1843 | 1844 | 1845 > In Northern England: 21st August 1844: opening of St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle 28th August 1844; foundation stone of the Penshaw Monument laid by Thomas Dundas, ...

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Assembly Rooms
- Overview Map Street View Designed by architect William Newton, this Georgian building was completed in 1776. The building was funded by members of the nobility, gentry and prominent citizens who ...


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1844
- < 1843 | 1844 | 1845 > In Northern England: 21st August 1844: opening of St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle 28th August 1844; foundation stone of the Penshaw Monument laid by Thomas Dundas, ...
