Planet (locomotive)

Planet was an early steam locomotive, which was supplied by George and Robert Stephenson at the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830. It is regarded as the first steam locomotive with two horizontally ahead of the drive axle cylinders - an arrangement which was henceforth used in most steam locomotives and produced in greater numbers than first steam locomotive.

The planet was delivered shortly after the opening of the railway in October 1830. Compared to the few weeks before the finished Northumbrian the cylinders were not located behind the drive axle outside the wheel in the planet, but lying in front of the drive axle between the wheels. This resulted in a more balanced weight distribution, in which the cylinder was driven mainly by the barrel axis and the firebox of the drive axle.

The arrangement of the cylinders between the wheels should improve the run on the track towards the Northumbrian by the force was transmitted to the driving axle as close to the center of the track and could be thus acted contrary to the roll. However, it required a double - cranked drive axle, which was difficult to make. In addition, the drive rod bearings had to be carried divided so that they could be on the goiter axis mounted and removed. The split bearing, were to be weaker and more difficult compared to a one-piece design.

The Planet proved. On November 23, the locomotive had covered the 56- kilometer route from Liverpool to Manchester in just one hour. In December 1830, the planet pulled the first freight of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, which previously supplied weaker locomotives were not suitable for freight transport. Robert Stephenson & Co. delivered the next run as number 9 Planet six more locomotives of the same type on the web. Continue built Fenton, Murray and Jackson from Leeds to drawings of the three locomotives Stephenson 19 Vulcan, 21 and 30 Flury Leeds for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

Replica

A functional replica of the planet was by the Friends of the Museum of Science and Industry ( MOSI ) in Manchester completed in 1992. It is operated by volunteers of the museum, providing guests with tours of the locomotive. If the engine is not under steam, it is exhibited in the Power Hall of the Museum. It has also been used on other heritage railways, such as the Shildon Locomotion Museum.