Editing Stephenson's Rocket (section)

=== Rainhill trials ===
{{Main|Rainhill trials}}

On 20 April 1829, the board of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway project passed a resolution for a competition to be held to prove their railway could be reliably operated by steam locomotives, there being advice from eminent engineers of the age that stationary engines would be required.{{Sfnp|Ferneyhough|1980|p=44}}  A prize of £500 was offered as an incentive to the winner, with strict conditions a locomotive would need to meet to enter the trial.{{Sfnp|Ferneyhough|1980|p=46}}  Robert Stephenson was able to report to [[Henry Booth]] on 5 September 1829 that ''Rocket''{{efn|Originally ''Rocket'' was known by the Stephensons as the ''Premium Engine''{{Sfnp|Ferneyhough|1980|p=48}}}} had performed initial manufacturer tests with flying colours at [[Killingworth]]. ''Rocket'' was dismantled at [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] and began the long trip to Rainhill: by horse wagon to Carlisle; [[Lighter (barge)|lighter]] to [[Port Carlisle]] then by the [[Cumberland (1826 ship)|''Cumberland'']] steamer to Liverpool for re-assembly on 18 September 1829.{{Sfnp|Ferneyhough|1980|p=49}}{{sfnp|Thomas|1980|p=66}} ''Rocket'' passed the trial requirement of achieving an average speed of {{cvt|10|mph|kph}} over {{convert|70|mi|km}} by over 40 percent.{{Sfnp|Ferneyhough|1980|p=55}} Demonstrations also saw ''Rocket'' consistently and easily haul a carriage with over 20 persons up the Whiston Incline at over {{cvt|15|mph|kph}}, and light engine running of around {{cvt|30|mph|kph}}.{{Sfnp|Ferneyhough|1980|p=55}} No other locomotive at the trials could match anything like Rocket's performance reliably, with partners Booth and Stephensons sharing the £500 winnings and showing that stationary engines were unnecessary, with sceptics such as [[John Urpeth Rastrick|Rastrick]] being convinced.{{Sfnp|Ferneyhough|1980|p=56–57}}