'Learning Through Archaeology: Killingworth Billy' discusses all that has been learned from the detailed examination in 2018 of the 1816-built George Stephenson locomotive from Killingworth that may now be seen in the Stephenson Railway Museum on North Tyneside, one of the affiliated museums to Discovery. BILLY has been in safekeeping as a historic artefact with the City of Newcastle since 1881. Previous to our study it was believed that the locomotive had been built in 1826 at the Robert Stephenson & Co. factory in that city, but detailed research into its working life, and its several rebuildings, have now shown that it was actually made in 1816 under George Stephenson's supervision for operation along the Killingworth Colliery line down to the River Tyne. It has therefore been shown that it is the world's oldest surviving standard-gauge locomotive. The archaeological work was undertaken to reveal from which period each component of the locomotive and its equally historic tender had been fitted, and the sequence of these modifications. The talk will be illustrated with both historic views of the locomotive, and photographs and drawings prepared during the course of the project.
As before the meetings are free but because we are limited to the number of people we can have at the meeting and have agreed with Discovery that we will ask everyone to book through Eventbrite so that we can keep track of demand and have a register of who is attending. Also, we have agreed with Discovery that we will hold the meetings in the afternoon starting at 2 pm and the meetings will also be offered online so that those people who feel uncomfortable with attending in person can participate in the talk. I realise that these arrangements are slightly different from in the past and if you have any queries please drop me a line and I will do my best to help. Also if you are aware of any none members who might be interested in joining us please feel free to circulate this email to them.It will be a 'hybrid' meeting with the speakers being there in front of a 'real' audience.
Eventbrite booking at - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/134632065131