Plaque for Timothy Hackworth, Wormald House, Wylam

Image: © Andrew Curtis Taken: 27 Apr 2018

Plaque is on the front wall of Wormald House Image It reads: TIMOTHY HACKWORTH 1786-1850 LOCOMOTIVE PIONEER Hackworth was born on 22 December 1786 in a house which stood near this site, close to the Wylam Colliery workshops. In 1807 he succeeded to his father's position as foreman of the colliery blacksmiths and between 1812-14 was involved with William Hedley and others in the development of the famous early Wylam locomotives. He moved to Walbottle Colliery during 1814. In 1825, upon the rcommendation of George Stephenson, he was appointed the first resident engineer on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, based at Shildon, where his responsibilities included the design and construction of many of the company's locomotives. A locomotive designed and built by Hackworth, the 'Sans Pareil', competed in the Rainhill Trials held near Liverpool in 1829. Hackworth later developed his own engine works at Shildon, where he lived and worked until his death on 7 July 1850. BICENTENARY 1786-1986

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