Publisher's Synopsis
Thomas Hackworth (1797-1877) built some of the first locomotives used on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. He was still building steam locomotives long after railways had become the dominant form of transport. He was a major contributor to the growth of the north-east towns of both Shildon and Stockton-on-Tees. In respect of Stockton, he was also responsible for establishing one of the world's leading marine engineering companies. His misfortune was that his life was eclipsed by the fame and genius of an older brother. Tom was made the scapegoat for a series of problems at Shildon. As a consequence he lost both job and home, was exploited by his business partner, and saw his young family was devastated by cholera. Despite this, he built a hundred steam locomotives, operated some of the earliest railways and produced engines that powered the first steam ships. This is his story.
