Catch Me Who Can

In 1808, Richard Trevithick ran the first fare-paying passenger train on a circular demonstration track in London.

The locomotive, named “Catch Me Who Can”, was built for Trevithick at the Hazledine Foundry in Bridgnorth.

To celebrate the 2008 bicentenary of this historic event, a group of Bridgnorth residents formed a charity to build a working replica locomotive and to organise events including lectures, concerts and a steam rally. They succeeded in stimulating a greater interest in a hitherto neglected aspect of the town’s history.

The loco was assembled at Bridgnorth station, and has been steamed on several occasions.

The one thing it still lacks is brakes, so it hasn’t been able to run up and down, but when jacked up, the wheels can be made to go round!  Work on the brakes continues, and we look forward to seeing it run!

The owning group’s website gives more information about the project.