Entrance into Manchester across Water Street by BURY, Thomas Talbot (1811-1877) - 1831

London: R. Ackermann, 1831. Colour printed aquatint by H. Pyall after T.T. Bury. A fine view from Bury's "Coloured Views on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway": an eyewitness account of travel on the world's second practical railway line. Bury was "an outstanding architectural designer" (Abbey), and his work provides a detailed report of the difficulties overcome during the railway's construction. The inspiration for the project was the success of the Stockton to Darlington rail line and the urgent commercial need for faster links between the docks of Liverpool and the factories of Manchester ("goods have been known to make the transit from New York to Liverpool in less time than from the latter town to Manchester"). The route was proposed in 1824 and, under the direction of George Stephenson and with parliament's blessing, the immense work was completed by 1830. The line opened to the public on the 15th of September of that year. Despite the tragic death of the Liverpool Member of Parliament Mr. Huskisson (the first fatality attributable to the railways) and huge cost of the work (£ 740,000. by 1830), the railway was an immediate popular and financial success. Speeds in excess of 30 m.p.h. were recorded for the 31 mile journey. Cf. Abbey Life 401 ('a rare series').