Which locomotive won the Rainhill Trials in 1829?

Stephenson’s Rocket won the Rainhill Trials in 1829.

The trials were held near Rainhill in Lancashire from 6 to 14 October 1829. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway organised the competition to determine whether steam locomotives could reliably power its new passenger railway, rather than relying on stationary engines and hauling cables. A £500 prize was offered to the successful design.

Rocket was designed by George and Robert Stephenson and built at their works in Newcastle upon Tyne. Its important features included a multi-tube boiler, separate firebox, and blast-pipe arrangement, which gave it greater speed and efficiency than its rivals.

Novelty was faster in short bursts and became a crowd favourite, while Sans Pareil was a serious competitor. However, Rocket was the only entrant to complete the trials while meeting the requirements. It reached about 30 miles per hour with a load and was declared the winner, helping establish the locomotive as the future of main-line rail transport.