What improved?
High-pressure steam gave a small cylinder a strong push. Gears carried the turning motion to the wheels.
THE ENGINE ROOM / 08
Small parts. Big discoveries.
A little steam. A clever machine. Let’s see what makes it move.
ON THE WORKBENCH0-4-0 · Geared drive1804 · 0-4-0 · Geared drive
Explore the steam history timeline
3D MODEL
Trevithick’s Penydarren engineThe original did not survive. Our layout follows the Museum Wales reconstruction, itself based on incomplete evidence. The famous journey was in 1804; work began in 1803.
Drag to turn · Scroll or pinch to zoom · Right-drag or two-finger drag to panTap a part to discover it
Ready when you are
FROM THE HISTORICAL RECORD · 1804 · 0-4-0 · Geared drive
THE ENGINE’S STORYMeet Trevithick’s Penydarren engine
Could steam pull a heavy train? In Wales in 1804, Richard Trevithick’s engine hauled iron along a tramroad. It proved that a steam locomotive could do useful work. But the heavy machine broke some of the brittle rails.
Original, replica or teaching model?
Read the source The original did not survive. Our layout follows the Museum Wales reconstruction, itself based on incomplete evidence. The famous journey was in 1804; work began in 1803.
How did life change?
Ironworkers could move heavy loads with fewer horses. Better track was needed before the idea could succeed.
In the archive
Select a photograph to look closer. Captions distinguish originals, replicas and related examples.
Replica of Trevithick’s 1804 Penydarren locomotive, photographed at Rail200, York, 2004.
Thryduulf · CC BY-SA 4.0Archive record ↗
YOUR NEXT DISCOVERY
Look closer. Have a go. Find out.Think like an engineer.
Build a stronger tramroad
Build a tramroad that can support the engine and its iron wagons. Spread the weight without using more than your stock of supports.
You have six supports. Each carries three weight blocks. Fit them under four track sections, then test the bridge.
Section 1■■
2 weight blocks
2 weight blocks
Section 2■■■■
4 weight blocks
4 weight blocks
Section 3■■■
3 weight blocks
3 weight blocks
Section 4■■■■■
5 weight blocks
5 weight blocks
Used: 4 of 6
No timer. Try as often as you like. These puzzles explain ideas; they are not instructions for operating a real engine.