Rocket to the future

History

The multi-billion pound Crossrail scheme has been something of a political hot potato during the election campaign with the Lib Dems not even mentioning the scheme in their manifesto and the Tories lambasted for only supporting the plans rather than confirming funding.

Luckily though one cross-London rail scheme quietly opened last month in London’s Hyde Park. As part of the Science Museum’s Centenary Icons exhibition, a replica of Stephenson’s Rocket, famous for being the first locomotive to operate in passenger service and also for mowing down Liverpool MP?William Huskisson shortly afterwards,  was offering rides on a short stretch of track.

And at £5 a ticket which included a ‘free’ goody bag, it was surprisingly good value when compared to the cost of some cross-London rail fares!