James Nasmyth, known good observer

[What About The Bee]

James Nasmyth was a notable engineer of the 1800s.  

One of his inventions was a machine for the production of hex nuts. Prior to his invention, hex nuts were hand filed, but as you can imagine, this did not yield repeatable results. While it may seem obvious to a modern machinist, Nasmyth coupled a rotary indexing table with 6 detents and a grinding wheel to cut the 6 sides.

Nasmyth had many other inventions, for example the steam hammer.  

He was such a noted inventor that Samuel Smiles provided us with his biography*.  In the biography of Nasmyth, we find that he is an observer, albeit briefly, of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

Known Good Observer

He arrived in Liverpool to observe the LMR, just before opening. As he states, he observed George Stephenson acting as engineman and Robert Stephenson the stoker (fireman) working a locomotive in multiple short trips. Nasmyth mentions them attaining 30 miles per hour, "a speed then thought almost incredible".

Then, at last, the locomotive came to a halt for about an hour at midday. Nasmyth took the opportunity to sketch the engine. "I eagerly availed myself of the opportunity to make a careful sketch of the engine, which I still preserve." This makes him a known good observer. This is that sketch, unavailable elsewhere online.

Rocket / Northumbrian Confusion

Throughout the paragraphs of text, Nasmyth refers to the locomotive as Rocket. Indeed, the sketch itself includes a note referring to the engine as Rocket. He also notes that Rocket led the procession on Opening Day.

The only problem with this is that the order of the procession on Opening Day is formally preserved and well known. The first locomotive in line was Northumbrian, hauling the Duke of Wellington's carriage.  

Nasmyth's sketch of the locomotive matches other known images of Northumbrian.  

Nasmyth's confusion over the name can be forgiven. Northumbrian was the last locomotive to arrive at the LMR just before Opening Day. It was also the best locomotive, and straight out of Robert Stephenson's locomotive works. Hence the Stephensons' excitement in working the locomotive and why it was selected to haul the Prime Minister, aka the Duke of Wellington. Nasmyth likely assumed that Rocket, which won the Rainhill Trials, would be the engine exercised by such famous engineers as the Stephensons. Alas, Rocket was already antiquated!

The Tender 

Northumbrian arguably had the first generation 3, or modern tender. In the image of Opening Day, we can observe 3 locomotives with a generation 1 tender, or the barrel on a utility wagon type. The fourth locomotive is Northumbrian, coupled to the Duke's fabulous carriage, image by Shaw

Understandably, that is a bit hard to see. The locomotive is on the left, under the arch. Focusing on that part, we have

Shaw, a known good observer, also presented us will a detailed view of Northumbrian.

Firstly, no tophats, again. Apparently only gentlemen wore them, not the working class.

Secondly, the tender had a handrail! Why would that be? Armengaud gives a dimension from the floor of the tender to the top of the tank. 650 mm or ~25". Knee high! In consideration that there would be coal there, the tank would be shin high. The stoker stood every chance of falling out. A handrail was necessary.

Nasmyth also provided us with a partial sketch of the Liverpool Rd terminus station in Manchester. There may be other sketches by Nasmyth of the LMR, tucked away in one of his notebooks stored in a museum in Scotland. Alas, the content of those sketchbooks is not online.  

Bee

*Samuel Smiles, you may recall, also provided us with the biography of George and Robert Stephenson. 

[Topcat2018]

Among several telescope he built, Nasmyth built a large reflecting telescope, which I believe was specifically specifically to observe the moon. Many years ago this (or its twin brother) was in a large objects collection in Liverpool, which was just a building with large items crammed into it, completely unlabelled as to what they were. Does any one know what happened to this collection, particularly the telescope?

[81F]

Regarding Northumbria and the remains of Rocket having such a similar appearance, does anyone know when Rocket was rebuilt? Could this be a source of confusion? Even if it was in original condition at the time the LMR was opened could confusion have occurred if James Nasmyth did not note the loco's name at the time?

Indeed is Rocket really Rocket?