George Stephenson

George Stephenson 's first steam railway engine made successful trials.

The Stockton and Darlington Railway opened for business.

George Stephenson 's Rocket won the Liverpool and Manchester Railway 's competition to select the best locomotive currently in the field.

The Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the first large-scale passenger steam railway, was officially opened; public timetabled service began on 17 September.

The Gauge Act standardized the width of British rail lines at four feet eight and a half inches.