Before steam locomotives became mainstream, railways were driven solely by muscle power, usually horses.
At one point, these so calledwagonwayshad become the principal means of transporting coal from major collieries across Europe.
The competition was won by the most peculiar design.
The horse was flanked by either side with benches facing outwards.
The Flying Dutchman debuted in 1830 on a 6-mile section of the railroad.
It carried 12 passengers at a time at a respectable speed of 12 miles per hour.
On the other hand, significant advances were being made in steam locomotive technology.
The directors of the railroad company agreed and issued a resolution declaring that the locomotive shall be alone used.
Before making the final transition, the railroad experimented with another source of powerwind.
The winds were so strong that the mast was blown overboard.
Eventually, a steam-powered locomotive called the Best Friend of Charleston was procured.
The locomotives career ended just five months after it went into service when its boiler exploded.
It was the first locomotive in the US to suffer a boiler explosion.
The boiler exploded as a result hurling metal fragments over a wide area and killing the fireman.
After the accident, the railroad replaced it with another steam engine and never brought another horse.
But this wasnt the end of horse-powered locomotive.
The Cycloped
A similar locomotive called Cycloped featured in theRainhill Trialsof October 1829 competing against steam-powered locomotives.
The locomotive was powered by four horses positioned over an inclined treadmill in two pairs.
The locomotive, which had a metal frame, might be described as a 2-2-0.
The driving wheels were large, something like 8 feet.
in diameter, while the leading wheels were smaller.
Because of the gears, the top speed was not limited to the top speed of the horses.
The Impulsoria was never used, but an Italian Professor of Philosophy, Dr Andrea Crestadoro, took interest.
He improved the design of this unusual gadget, and even took out related patents.
But shortly after, Crestadoro lost interest and became a librarian in Manchester.
