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The "Sans Pareil" two cylinder steam engine was built by Timothy Hackworth in 1829 at the Soho Works in Shildon, County Durham. It took part in the famous Rainhill Trials in October 1829, which were organised by the Liverpool & Manchester Railway to evaluate whether or not haulage by steam locomotives would be viable. The French name "Sans Pareil" translates into English as "without equal".  Despite being some people's favourite to win the Rainhill Trials, "Sans Pareil" suffered a cracked cylinder and was withdrawn from the competition. However, the directors of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway were sufficiently impressed by the locomotive that they purchased it for £350.
 Timothy Hackworth's "Sans Pareil". Driving wheels 4' 6" diameter. Cylinders 7" x 18".
This locomotive was hired by the Liverpool & Manchester Railway to the Bolton & Leigh Railway, who purchased it in 1832. In 1840 it was sold again, this time to the Coppull Colliery, who removed the wheels in 1844 and used it as a stationary pumping engine. John Hick restored the locomotive in 1863 and added new wheels and presented it to the Patent Office Museum in London (now the Science Museum). 
The driver's end of "Sans Pareil", as preserved in the Science Museum in London. Photographed 20th November 1983. |
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