William Wilson and the First German Railway.
On April 17 1862. British mechanical engineer William Wilson passed away. He was the first engine driver of the locomotive Adler on the first German railway There was a time when every little boy wanted to become an engineer or engine driver Master of the huge and powerful machine driving the rails faster and faster. But, this was already way before my time I wanted to become an astronaut. What did I do instead?. Now I am a scientist Comes pretty close, well if you take out the space flight But, let's look at the life of the very first engine driver in Germany who had become a role model for generations of litle boys after him. William Wilson was born on 18 May 1809 in Walbottle England and, in 1829 engaged by railway pioneer George Stephenson as a mechanic. Stephenson should become the first who built a public inter-city railway line using steam locomotives the Liverpool and Manchester Railway which opened in 1830. The development of public railways in Britain attracted interest from the rest of Europe. The first railway line in Germany was opened on 7 December 1835 between Nuremberg and Fürth. Its first steam locomotive was supplied by Stephenson because at that time there were no suitable and affordable steam engines available in Germany. At the request of the Ludwig Railway Company (Ludwigs-Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft), Stephenson also provided Wilson to act as engine driver and engineer. He was to instruct the locomotive crew and train successors for which he was given an eight-month contract Stephenson stipulated a maximum working period of 12 hours per day and Wilson travel costs were borne by the Ludwig Railway Company. In addition he took on the fitting out, and later the direction of a railway workshop. He was given a high salary commensurate with his qualification that exceeded the income of the general manager (Generaldirektor) of the railway company. On 7 December 1835 William Wilson finally drove the locomotive, Adler as the engine driver on the first German railway on the newly built 7.45 km line operated by the Ludwig Railway. The high cost of importing coal from Saxony meant that only two of the hourly passenger services were steam-hauled, with the remainder drawn by horses. After eight months he made no arrangements to leave. Both as a result of his safe performance during this journey as well as his excellent credentials his contract was repeatedly extended. The passengers wanted to travel with no-one else but the "tall Englishman. Whenever he was not driving the locomotive himself, income fell. Over time the various lands in Germany started building their own railway systems which began to connect the corners of Germany together. From 1842 he alternated as engine driver with his assistance Bockmüller. His health was seriously damaged by his occupation however, because he would stand on the driver's platform in all weathers in a gentleman overcoat and top hat but without any protection from the elements. Not until the winter of 1845 were engine drivers given leather coats as protection agains the weather. Finally, eight years later, the engines were furnished with protective roofs over the driver's stand. In spite of tempting offers by the Bavarian State Railway Wilson remained with the Ludwig Railway. In 1859 he was unable to work regularly as a result of his worsening health. At the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Ludwig Railway he was greatly honored. He died on 17 April 1862 in Nuremberg as a result of his illness. At yovisto you can learn more about early steam locomotives in a video about the reenacted Rainhill Trials by the Manchester Museum of Science and Technology.