Richard Trevithick's London Steam Circus

In 1808 London witnessed an early- and very important- piece of railway history: the 'Steam Circus'; a demonstration line, close to present day Euston station, which the public were invited to view and take a ride on.

The Steam Circus was the brainchild of the Cornish engineer and inventor, Richard Trevithick and in this video we'll be exploring his life and work, including the Steam Circus, the 'Puffing Devil', the Penydarren Tramroad and the London Steam Carriage...

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Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:36 Richard Trevithick
03:12 Harnessing Steam
05:43 The Puffing Devil
07:04 The London Steam Carriage
10:43 Trevithick's Penydarren Steam Railway
13:08 The London Steam Circus
16:32 Later Life

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Links for this video:

Camborne's Annual Trevithick Day

Ironbridge Gorge Museums

The Royal Bull & Victoria Hotel

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Credits

FOOTAGE & IMAGES:

Tregajorran Image: Tony Atkin, via Geograph

Steam Pistons

Cornwall Map 1787: David Rumsey Maps

James Watt Engine at the Science Museum

Puffing Devil Footage: Cornishpastyman (Creative Commons)

London Steam Carriage Footage

Replica of Penydarren Steam Locomotive: Jaggery, Creative Commons via Geograph

Footage of Trevithick Replica Engine (Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust)

The images at 2:05, 02:22, 02:28, 02:40, 02:59, 03:58, 04:30, 04:51, 08:45, 09:22, 10:09, 11:34, 13:14, 17:03, 17:56 and 18:28 were artificially generated using Midjourney.

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Steam engine sound: Craigsmith

Fire Sound: Tosha73

Computer sound: yottasounds

Traction Engine Sound: Mike_Stranks

Steam engine: 3bagbrew

Rushing Water: Mikewest

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MUSIC:

Far Behind (Silent Partner)

Muffin Man (Cooper Cannell)

The Trapezist (Quincas Moreira)

Pastorale (Joel Cummins)

Passing Time (Kevin Macleod)

Cocktail Hour (Aaron Kenny)

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[Rachel-boqg]

An excellent and poignant insight into a great pioneer. It’s inspiring also, as it goes to prove you never know when trying something new could lead to great things ! Nicely done Rob, such a sad ending.

[-Eckhart]

Trevithick anticipated the railway revolution by 25 years and even now doesn't get the attention he deserves for that.

[railfanbrazil]

Trevithick was of a dying breed: Men's who cared not for their own pockets, but for the progress and comfort of humanity as a whole. I am sure he now lies in Eternal rest and comfort. Greetings from Brazil and Sorry for bad english.

[lozinozz]

Sad many of our great innovators were not appreciated in their own time. Amazing that they persevered in spite of the doubters. I thank them for their efforts.
Another fascinating story Rob. Thanks😊

[dougknight]

A beautifully executed and fitting tribute to a talented yet overlooked British Engineer. Thanks Rob.

[rogercook]

Amazing.... If it wasn't for pioneers like Richard Trevithick we wouldn't have progressed into the modern world we know today.

[Gazellekaz]

Thank you Rob., you make it so easy to absorb history. And thanks for bringing Richard Trevithick to our attention - what an adventurer! As if the steam forays weren't enough, the idea of traelling to Peru at that time must have been a logistical nightmare. Hats off to him and what a shame we don't have a proper place to pay homage.

[noahwail]

Thank you. He is one of the few heroes i have in my life, and now for over half a century. What a man!

[LindzTheLooneyOfLondon]

If you are a Terry Pritchett fan, his book, raising steam steals a lot of this history including the steam circus and puts it in the disc world settings. It’s a fun read and like all his dis world novels finding the hidden links to our history is fabulous. If you are less fantasy world try his book Dodger, it’s based in Victorian London and uses famous people of the time to relate the story of the young mudlark, and cheekily suggests he was Dickens inspiration! Happy new year x

[tracyfryer]

A man of honour and integrity whose contributions to life in general was overlooked.
A lovely, informative video rob well done for your research ❤️❤️

[roberttaylor]

With rain and wind preventing garden care I am working my pleasurable way through the cannon. Another great one!

Rob

[djtraxxehv]

Nice story here! I already knew Trevithick since many years as indirectly he brought the railway to the Netherlands as well.

[nelliemelba]

Thank you, Rob. A lovely presentation! Richard Trevithick is certainly remembered in Dartford. Many references are made to him around the town, including the Vic & Bull pub, and in the museum, and a steam fair to commemorate his work is held every year, in one form or another.

[idatipping]

Amazing how you bring out so much information, original drawings, photos, old and today images, thank you
Any subject is interesting when seen and shared by you

[ianfox]

And there is also a statue of my cat at Euston station. When they extended Euston for HS1 they unearthed an old graveyard and in it found a coffin labelled Mathew Flinders. Flinders literally put Australia on the map as in he drew up the first map of Australia and put the name Australia on it. On his survey mission of Australia he took his cat, a ships cat named Trim, with him. So I named one of my cats after Trim. And a statue of Flinders and Trim was installed outside of Euston station a few years ago.

[jared]

Thank you, Rob, what I needed today. Let's built one of those and give it a drive through London! You have a great narrative voice and gift of bringing things to life. You could make street litter come alive and seem infinitely entertaining.

[damedavidfrith]

Thanks very much for sharing all your hard work 🎉

[rontanser]

Thank you very much I never heard of Richard or his steam circus so it was wonderful to find out about it

[huwlewis]

Thanks Rob, every video you produce is a delight.

[Slycockney]

Thanks Rob, an enthralling look at the life and incredibly sad ending of an obviously great man.