Puffing Billy is the world's oldest surviving Steam Locomotive, constructed in 1813–1814 by engine-wright Jonathan Forster and blacksmith Timothy Hackworth for Christopher Blakett the owner of Wylam Colliery near Newcastle upon Tyne. It was to replace the horses used as pulling power on the colliery wagon tramway. It was the first commercial adhesion steam locomotive, and was used to haul coal wagons from the mine at Wylam to the docks at Lemington-on-Tyne in Northumberland. Puffing Billy remained in service until 1862. A replica has been built and was first run in 2006 at the Museum. (Information gathered at Beamish museum

Add to tour Add to favourites