Stephenson's Newcastle
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Literary and Philosophical Society. Philosophical and Literary the Mining Institute and nearby nearby and Institute Mining the Robert left generous bequests to to bequests generous left Robert The Institution of Civil Engineers North East North Engineers Civil of Institution The that institution in 1847. In his will, will, his In 1847. in institution that who was Founder President of of President Founder was who 1849 and 1853 following his father father his following 1853 and 1849 of Mechanical Engineers between between Engineers Mechanical of also president of the Institution Institution the of president also of the Mining Institute and was was and Institute Mining the of Robert was elected vice president president vice elected was Robert was 15 years old. years 15 was commencing employment when he he when employment commencing INSTITUTION OFCIVILENGINEERS apprenticed to Nicholas Wood on on Wood Nicholas to apprenticed Robert Stephenson was was Stephenson Robert and friend of George Stephenson. Stephenson. George of friend and (manager), associate, colleague colleague associate, (manager), was a prominent Colliery Viewer Viewer Colliery prominent a was Wood Memorial Library. Nicholas Nicholas Library. Memorial Wood The building houses the Nicholas Nicholas the houses building The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers Mechanical and Mining of Institute England of North The 5 Stephenson’s Newcastle Stephenson’s ICE 200 ICE projections housing figures depicting Stephenson’s spheres of activity. of spheres Stephenson’s depicting figures housing projections The monument depicts George Stephenson on the pedestal with corner corner with pedestal the on Stephenson George depicts monument The widened in 1894. in widened October 1862. October given parliamentary approval in 1845. The bridge was was bridge The 1845. in approval parliamentary given inaugurated in an elaborate ceremony attended by a huge crowd on 3 3 on crowd huge a by attended ceremony elaborate an in inaugurated Stephenson for the Newcastle & Berwick Railway were were Railway Berwick & Newcastle the for Stephenson Literary and Philosophical Society in 1859 before being cast in bronze and and bronze in cast being before 1859 in Society Philosophical and Literary system on the East Coast Rail Line. The plans by Robert Robert by plans The Line. Rail Coast East the on system major industrial centre. An actual size plaster model was exhibited in nearby nearby in exhibited was model plaster size actual An centre. industrial major three small arches forms part of a spectacular viaduct viaduct spectacular a of part forms arches small three recognition of George’s achievements and to recognise Newcastle as a a as Newcastle recognise to and achievements George’s of recognition This magnificent semi-elliptical masonry arch flanked by by flanked arch masonry semi-elliptical magnificent This This grade II listed monument was designed by John Graham Lough in in Lough Graham John by designed was monument listed II grade This Stephenson monument 4 monument Stephenson 6 Dean Street Arch Street Dean 6 Robert Stephenson a background to George and Robert Stephenson’s 2 Stephenson’s Boiler Shop Stephenson’s Newcastle (1803 – 1859) was upbringing, education, careers and creation of George Stephenson and his son Robert made George’s only son important manufacturing locations and impressive Former engine factory of Robert Stephenson & many remarkable contributions to creating the and has been called engineering structures which remain part of daily life in Company, the boiler plate shop was built c 1849-59 as modern world in which we live. Their engineering the greatest engineer Newcastle. part of the Stephenson Company Factory. Originally the achievements in the nineteenth century still form the of the 19th century. building was open to the elements on the west side with cornerstone of today’s infrastructure. Following the setting Workshop where Rocket was built 1 the glazed curtain walling added much later. Recently In 1823, in partnership with Edward Pease, they set up of the company in restored the building is now used as a conference and up Robert Stephenson & Company in Newcastle. The his name, Robert spent entertainment venue. three years as a mining company built a large proportion of the world’s early Of ces of Robert Stephenson and Co. 3 locomotives, the most well known being The Rocket. engineer in Colombia George Stephenson before returning home Built c 1867-80 on (1781 – 1848), known to develop the steam the site of a former as the “Father of the locomotive, most dwelling house, yard, Railways” is recognised notably the ‘Rocket’ which, in 1829, won the ‘Rainhill shade and carpenters’ Trials’ for the Liverpool Manchester Railway. He was as a genius in locomotive shop, this became This leaflet has been prepared on behalf of appointed chief engineer of the London Birmingham engineering. His rail a major part of the ICE North East Railway in 1833 and subsequently went on to be gauge of 1435mm (4 Stephenson Factory. by responsible for over 160 railway schemes all over the Feet 8.5 inches) has The site had been J. Michael Taylor MBE CEng, MICE, FCIHT world. He was responsible for the innovative design become known as Rocket was built here between 1828 and 1829. The occupied earlier as a tender shop, sawmill and frame with the support of The Robert Stephenson Trust. and construction of many major structures including ‘standard gauge’. As building has undergone considerable alteration, but shop until 1847. It was rebuilt c 1849-59 as a painters the High Level and Royal Border Bridge, as well as the well as engineering the originally it had multiple uses as a mill, fitting shops, shop and engine shop, tender shop and yard, with the Photographs are from entries in a ‘Stephenson’s wrought-iron tubular bridges such as the Britannia world’s first passenger furnaces, smithies, pattern shops etc. The earliest part frame shop retained. Further alterations c1867 allowed Newcastle’ photograph competition organised by the Bridge in Wales. When built, his Victoria Bridge in carrying railway between of the building dates from c 1823, extended soon after the building to become part of the machine and pattern North East region of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Montreal was for many years the longest bridge in the Stockton and Darlington, in 1827: these are probably the earliest surviving parts departments. world. he engineered the Liverpool Manchester railway, the of Stephenson’s works. A severe fire in 1934 destroyed The building is an important survival of the pioneering Graphic design by: Mind’s Eye Media This leaflet and the places you can visit will give you world’s first intercity railway. much of the upper structure. Stephenson factory which made locomotive engines throughout the nineteenth century. For more information, please contact ICE North East: Robert Stephenson & Co. T:+44 (0)191 261 1850 Founded in 1823 and eventually becoming The boiler plate shop and of ces of e: [email protected] known locally as the Forth Street works. In 1848 form part of what became a vast w: ice.org.uk a small workshop on South Street, Robert locomotive complex. These signi cant Civil Engineers design, build, maintain and improve the modern world around us. @ICE Stephenson engineered the world renowned historical buildings were saved from The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a global membership organisation that promotes and advances civil engineering © Institution of Civil Engineers. 29/05/2018 locomotive in 1829 with many others famous imminent demolition in 1987 and around the world. authentically restored by the Robert ICE’s members help to create the structures and systems that sustain society. They are responsible for designing, building, locomotives following such as Planet in 1830 maintaining and improving bridges, roads, canals, docks, of ce buildings, hospitals, schools, airports, power stations, and Patentee in 1833. Stephenson Trust. railways, ood defences, water-treatment facilities.... everywhere. 7 The Old Assembly High Level Bridge 12 This building, opened in 1776, was designed by Regarded as one of the finest pieces of architectural Newcastle architect William Newton. The opening of ironwork in the world, this structure designed by Robert the Stockton and Darlington Railway was celebrated Stephenson consists of tied arches. It was the first here with a ball and dinner attended by both George bridge to carry both rail and road traffic, was opened and Robert. A major feature of the building is the by Queen Victoria in 1849. famous chandelier lighting system, which cost £630 and is comprised of 10,000 pieces of Newcastle hand- cut crystal made in the Closegate Crystal works which 13 Central Station were owned by Sir Matthew White Ridley OBE, one of the three men charged with building and furnishing The Assembly Rooms. Literary and Philosophical Society 8 Forming part of the Newcastle to Berwick railway planned in 1844, Central Station is the work of The Bruce Building 11 Newcastle architect John Dobson, with Robert Designed by local architect Joseph Oswald for Newcastle Stephenson responsible for the engineering work. Breweries the building was erected between 1896 and Its great arched roofs and spectacular combination of 1900. curves means it is considered to be one of the finest The site was formally occupied by the Percy Street stations in the world. The station was brought into use Although the Society was founded in 1793 and Academy, Newcastle’s first college founded in 1806 in 1850 with Robert Stephenson as guest of honour at George Stephenson had demonstrated his miner’s by John Bruce. Among its ‘old boys’ are the engineer a dinner on the main platform. lamp to members in 1815, whilst he was working as Robert Stephenson and the artist William Henry engine-wright at the Killingworth Colliery, this building Charlton. dates from 1825. The present building houses the The school was founded in 1806 to be a commercial 14 Alderman Fenwick’s House country’s largest independent library outside London school, preparing the boys for trade and business.