inscrutable providence
Dec 24th, 2009 by JJ
In my last post I mentioned working up in Newton-le-Willows. Obviously it’s world famous as the home of Rick Astley but it has another claim to fame: as the site of the world’s first ever railway fatality on the world’s first ever railway.
Yes folks, opening day of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway 15 September 1830. The popular MP for Liverpool, William Huskisson, is part of the official opening party and takes the opportunity when the train stops near Newton to get off and talk to the PM the Duke of Wellington. At which point he promptly gets hit by Stevenson’s Rocket which is whizzing along the other line (top speed 29mph). What a doofus! However the monument to him at Newton station is rather more prolix (to put it lightly). Check it out..
