The History of the First Public Railway, Stockton Darlington - The Opening Day, and What Followed #226785

The Committee were a year in concluding-their deliberations. They had a difficult problem to solve. The canal was a familiar institution, but a public railway was a great novelty to South Durham. Leaving them awhile heatedly discussing the pros and cons as to canal or rail, we may here cast a rapid glance at the origin of railways.