At last the new engine was finished. It weighed only four tons and a quarter, little less than two tons under the weight required by the directors. The tender, shaped like a waggon, carried wood in one end and water in the other.
It was forthwith put on the Killingworth track, fired up, and started off. Robert must have watched its operations with intense anxiety. Nothing could have met his expectations like the new boiler. It in fact outdid his highest hopes. The steam made rapidly, and in, what seemed to him then, marvellous quantities. Away went a letter to Liverpool that very evening.
"The 'Rocket' is all right and ready," wrote the young man joyfully. That was the engine's name, "Rocket," on account of its speed perhaps. "Puffing Billy" was quite cast into a shade.
It was shortly shipped to Liverpool in time for the grand trial.
The trial, rapidly approaching, elicited a great and general interest. The public mind was astir. The day fixed was the first of October. Engineers, mechanics, and scientific men, far and near, flocked to Liverpool. The ground where the exhibition was to take place was a level piece of railroad two miles long, a little out of the city. Each engine was to make twenty trips at a rate of speed not under ten miles an hour, and three competent men were appointed as judges.
Four engines were entered on the list, "The Novelty," "Sans-Pareil," "The Rocket," "Perseverance."
Several others were built for the occasion in different parts of the kingdom, or rather projected and begun, but were not finished in time.
In order to afford ample opportunity for their owners to get them in good working order, the directors postponed the trial to October 6th. The day arrived, and a glance at the country round showed that an unusual occasion was drawing people together. Multitudes from the neighbouring towns assembled on the grounds at an early hour. The road was lined with carriages, and a high staging afforded the ladies an opportunity of witnessing the novel race.
The "Novelty" and "Sans-pereil," though first on the list, were not ready at the hour appointed. What engine was? The "Rocket." Stephenson, next on the roll, was called for by the judges, and promptly the little "Rocket" fired up at the call. It performed six trips in about fifty-three minutes.