John Urpeth Rastrick facts for kids

John Urpeth Rastrick (born January 26, 1780 – died November 1, 1856) was an important English engineer. He was one of the very first people to build steam locomotives. He worked with James Foster to create a company called Foster, Rastrick and Company. This company built the famous Stourbridge Lion in 1829. This locomotive was sent to America for the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. Later, in the 1830s, John Rastrick focused on building railways and bridges. His biggest project was helping to build the London and Brighton Railway starting in 1838.

Early Life and Training

John Rastrick was born in Morpeth, England. His parents were John Rastrick and Mary Urpeth. He went to local schools. When he was 15, in 1795, he started learning engineering from his father. In 1802, he began working at the Ketley Ironworks in Shropshire.

Working with Hazledine

After five years at Ketley, Rastrick joined forces with John Hazledine in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Richard Trevithick's No. 14 Engine, built by Hazledine and Co around 1804.

While working in Bridgnorth, Rastrick helped Richard Trevithick develop his ideas for powerful high-pressure steam engines and locomotives. Rastrick later said that he had built the locomotive that Trevithick showed in London in 1808. He also made a lot of equipment for Trevithick's plans to go to South America.

On April 1, 1814, John Rastrick received a special patent for his own steam engine design. He also managed the building of the Wye bridge at Chepstow, which opened in 1816. His partnership with Hazledine was difficult and ended in 1817. He worked alone for a short time. Then, in 1819, he started a new partnership with James Foster and moved his family to Stourbridge.

Foster Rastrick & Company

This new company made many different products. These included blast furnaces, rolling mills, and strong iron rails. They also made large metal beams for famous buildings of that time. In 1822, Rastrick became the engineer for the Stratford and Moreton Tramway. This was an early railway line where horses pulled the wagons.

The company also built the first steam locomotives for the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. One of these was the famous Stourbridge Lion in 1829.

The Rainhill Trials

In 1829, John Rastrick and James Walker were asked to study if it would be better to use ropes or locomotives on the new Liverpool and Manchester Railway. They traveled a lot to see early railways. Their report suggested using ropes because it seemed cheaper. However, they also said that locomotives might get much better in the future.

Because of this close decision, the railway directors decided to hold a competition. This competition would test the different locomotives available. Rastrick was one of three judges at the Rainhill Trials in 1829. These trials clearly showed that Stephenson's Rocket locomotive was the best. Rastrick's own diaries and notes from the trials are very important. They give us valuable information about how locomotives performed back then.

Building Railways and Bridges

In 1831, Rastrick left the Foster, Rastrick & Co. partnership. He became an independent civil engineer. He then worked on many railway projects. In 1835, he worked with John Rennie the Younger to get permission from Parliament to build the London and Brighton Railway. He then became the main engineer for this railway. He oversaw its construction across difficult land.

He helped design and build several tunnels, including Merstham, Balcombe, Clayton, and Patcham Tunnels. He also worked on the beautiful Ouse Valley Viaduct with David Mocatta.

Rastrick also built the Brighton and Chichester Railway and the Brighton Lewes and Hastings Railway. These lines later joined with the London and Brighton Railway and the London and Croydon Railway to form the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. Rastrick was involved in designing the London Road viaduct in Brighton. He also designed a viaduct at Shoreham-by-Sea and a bridge over the River Arun. He helped design a rebuilt London Bridge railway station.

John Rastrick stopped working in 1847. He moved to Sayes Court, a large house in Addlestone, Chertsey, Surrey. He died there on November 1, 1856. He is buried at Brighton Extra Mural Cemetery.

Family Life

While working with John Hazledine, Rastrick married Sarah Jervis (or Jarvis) on December 24, 1810. They were married in Codsall, Staffordshire. They had six children: John, born April 10, 1811; Sarah, baptized June 2, 1813; Mary, baptized January 30, 1818; Henry, baptized January 30, 1818; Frederick James, born around 1820; and George, baptized June 10, 1821.