The World's First 'Car' and Railway Loco. DVD Video. (SOLD OUT)
This film also covers Steam cars arriving at Merthyr Tydfil during the 2004 Welsh Tour.
Richard Trevithick believed that his "strong" steam could be adapted to a wide variety of practical
uses. In the process of development he invented the world's first passenger road car, and the world's first
railway locomotive.
It all began with mining engines and we see a later type. Four replica engines are looked at in turn:
1801 Road Car, 1803 Rail Loco, 1803 London Steam Carriage and 1804 Penydarren Locomotive.
Following a full mechanical explanation the first 'car' puffs up Camborne Hill on Christmas Eve 2001.
The rail prototype is seen in action at Ironbridge Museum.
History is discussed whilst steam is raised.
The London Road Carriage is seen in operation at Quorn on the Great Central Railway in 1996.
1804 established Trevithick as "the father of modern railways" with the Penydarren locomotive. This is seen
working in June 2004 and the route of the powered 'tramway' is followed from Merthyr Tydfil to Abercynon (now
part of the Taff Trail).
Finally we visit the celebratory transport festival at Merthyr, which included the replica of the 1833 Hancock
Steam Carriage and the actual 1875 Grenville Steam Carriage, as well as steam cars, traction engines & other
classic vehicles.
The film was available as a DVD and runs for 60 minutes