Life of Robert Stephenson Timeline
Marriage
1829 Robert married Frances Sanderson in London on 17th June. They set up home at 5 Greenfield Place, Newcastle upon Tyne. In October ‘Rocket’ won the Rainhill locomotive trials.
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1830 The Liverpool & Manchester Railway Co. placed orders for engines with Robert Stephenson & Co. and Robert supervised their construction with the assistance of Chief Engineer William Hutchinson. First was ‘Northumbrian’. Robert became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. The Canterbury & Whitstable Railway opened with the Robert Stephenson designed ‘Invicta’. He designed the ‘Planet’ class which became the prototype for inside cylinder locos.
1831 While surveying for railways in Derbyshire, he realised the possibility of extensive coal deposits and persuaded his father to raise the money to buy the Snibston Estate. He became a partner in the Vulcan Foundry (near Warrington) with Charles Tayleur.
1832 Robert conducted surveys for the London and Birmingham Railway Bill.
1833 He obtained a patent for an engine to be known as the ‘Patentee’. In September he was appointed Chief Engineer for the London & Birmingham Railway. He would be responsible for all aspects of the railway – appointing contractors, designing bridges, cost management etc. He decided to move to London where he set up home at Haverstock Hill.