| Northumbrian | |||||||||||||||||
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 Northumbrian as depicted in the October 16, 1830 issue of Mechanics' Magazine | |||||||||||||||||
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Northumbrian was an early steam locomotive built by Robert Stephenson in 1830 and used at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (L&M). [1] It was the eighth of Stephenson's nine 0-2-2 locomotives in the style of Rocket, but it introduced several innovations, which were also included Majestic, the last of the class. [2]
Northumbrian was the first 'locomotive' boiler that had both the firebox in a water jacket at one end and smokebox to collect ashes at the other. [1] Dawson describes it as the first of a "modern" (steam locomotive) boiler while Hollingsworth notes virtually all successors followed this layout. [1] [3] Other features included plate frames, a proper tender, and the cylinders set at a relatively low angle to the horizontal, giving smoother running. [1]
Northumbrian suffered from a number of poor design aspects. As the next iteration of locomotive development, one notable issue was while weight had increased from Rocket's 4 tons to over 7 tons, most of it was on the trailing wheels instead of the drivers. This led to adhesion problems and was partly why successor locomotive Planet was built as a 2-2-0 in the same year. [1] [4]
Northumbrian was handed over on 31 July 1830 at the price of £700, the cost being justified by more extensive use of copper and improved running characteristics. [3] At the official opening ceremony of the L&M on 15 September 1830 with eight trains Northumbrian headed the first listed train with the Duke of Wellington as a prestige passenger and George Stephenson on the footplate. [5] Northumbian was offered to the London and Birmingham Railway for £450 in 1836, this was refused and it is possible the locomotive was broken up. [6]