John Nattes, Steam Machine, 1808. Now thought to be the earliest depiction of Catch Me Who Can.
Exhibition notice: Case Studies at the National Railway Museum, York, on now until November 2008
A newly discovered picture exposing the mysteries of the world's first steam powered locomotives is revealed in 'Case Studies', a new exhibition at York’s National Railway Museum (NRM) showcasing some of the first artefacts of the steam era, which runs from June 23 to November 2008.
John Liffen, a researcher at London’s Science Museum, discovered the picture, which is a pen and wash image by John Nattes. The picture dates back to 1808 and depicts Richard Trevithick’s "Catch me who can", a steam locomotive being prepared for operation in London.
The 'Rowlandson' print depicting Catch Me Who Can running at Trevithick's steam circus in London, now thought to be a forgery.
Three previously exhibited 'Rowlandson' prints, also said to show 'Catch me who can', have been scrutinised for years by historians who were dubious about their authenticity. It has recently been found that these were forgeries, only dating back to the First World War.
Now the Science Museum experts think the Nattes picture sheds new light on what passenger trains really were like in the days of steam powered transport.
An early model of the Hackworth loco, San Pareil, also to be seen in the York exhibition
'Case Studies' at the NRM also includes two Trevithick model ‘self-moving engines,’ now together for the first time since the 1930s, as well as a mysterious 'Sans Pareil' model acquired by the museum in 2006.
The 'Sans Pareil' model was thought have been made by Trevithick or Timothy Hackworth prior to his unsuccessful participation in the locomotive trial at Rainhill in 1829. However, recent research has found it to be by Hackworth, but much earlier in date, nearer to 1811, when he was experimenting with building the famous 'Puffing Billy' locomotive for William Hedley.
Andrew Scott, director of the NRM said: "These objects demonstrate the role the museum plays in cutting-edge research, and we want to be able to see and understand them close up."
The new exhibition can be seen alongside the £4million state-of-the-art archive and research centre, Search Engine, which allows visitors to make up their own minds about some of the most valuable and important objects from the dawn of powered transport.
Search Engine has opened up access to thousands of previously hidden treasures. Launched in January 2008, Search Engine now means that the NRM can offer access to its vast archive collection – one of the richest collections of rail related material in the world.
This exhibition notice was written by Culture24's Year 10 work experience intern, Harry Semple.
