The Museum of Science and Industry has announced that Stephenson's Rocket will return to Manchester for the first time in 180 years this September.
This iconic locomotive was built to run on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway (the worlds first intercity passenger railway). Rocket will be on display in Manchester from 22nd September until 21st April 2019.
Rocket placed itself in the history books after winning the Rainhill trials in 1829. The competition's aim was to find a locomotive that would be used to haul the passenger trains on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway – which opened the following year.
The Museum of Science and Industry is a particularly special venue, this is because it sits on the site of the terminus of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, and the Grade I listed booking office and waiting room are still open to the public to this day.
MOSI had a super year last year, which saw visitor numbers rise by 6% thanks to attractions such as the Robots exhibition and the visit of Tim Peake's spacecraft.
The museum will soon rename to the Science and Industry Museum to align with the Museum family.
The museum joined the group in 2012 and now sits alongside the Science Museum in London, the Science and Media Museum in Bradford, the Railway Museum in York, and Locomotion in Shildon.
What did the officials say?
Sally MacDonald, Director of the Museum of Science and Industry, said:
“The story of Manchester's role as the world's first industrial city is one that is at the heart of our museum, and we are excited to be finding new ways to tell these huge stories in the run up to the 200th anniversary of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 2030.
“The arrival of Stephenson's Rocket in Manchester for the first time in 180 years is a momentous occasion, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this iconic symbol of the Industrial Revolution in the city where it sparked ‘railway mania'.”
“As part of the Science Museum Group we have been able to bring incredible objects to Manchester, and I am looking forward to sharing these important moments with our visitors for many years to come.”
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