1. George Stephenson

2. Early life George Stephenson was born on 9 June 1781. His home was at Wylam, near Newcastle-upon- Tyne. Near where he lived there were coal mines. His father worked in a coal mine. He looked after steam engines used to pump water out of the mine.

3. George Stephenson had a son called Robert. He helped George build railways and the Rocket. Robert was born in 1803 and died in 1859. He became as famous as his father. Robert built his first railway from Birmingham to London.

4. George was very clever. He invented a lamp for miners to use underground for light. But his real interest was engines and railways. Some machine engines drove machines in factories. Steam powered engines were very slow and could not go up hills. George worked out that trains need to travel on rails.

5. George entered the Rocket in the Rainhill Trials. Only 3 trains were left in the final including the Rocket. The other 2 trains broke down so the Rocket won the £500 prize.

6. And from this day on the Rocket is still remembered by us.