Railway General Knowledge.

[Peterthegreat]

I believe when the station opened it was just known as Falmouth. It became The Dell when the line was (re) extended and later renamed Falmouth Town.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I think that the platforms came from Perranporth Beach Halt. As far as the names go, I would guess Falmouth Docks and The Dell.

Perranporth Beach Halt and The Dell correct but not Falmouth Docks.

I believe when the station opened it was just known as Falmouth. It became The Dell when the line was (re) extended and later renamed Falmouth Town.

Correct,originally just Falmouth.
I think Gloster should have it with two out of three correct.

 

[Gloster]

From the same area:

In what year did through Paddington-Penzance passenger trains start running?

 

[Jamesrob637]

1867 (however they took the best part of a day to do so)

 

[Gloster]

1867 (however they took the best part of a day to do so)

Correct, on 1 March. Goods had started the previous November.

To you to wave away the next question.

 

[Jamesrob637]

The first TGV speed record took place in 1981. In kmh, as that's what the French use, how many did it reach at its max. point?

 

[Neo9320]

304?

 

[Jamesrob637]

304?

Too slow, sorry.

 

[Snow1964]

Guessing 365, one for each day of the year

 

[Jamesrob637]

Guessing 365, one for each day of the year

France and logic, going together, even back then? Still a bit slow though!

 

[D6130]

381?

 

[Jamesrob637]

381?

Our weekly quizmaster does a question on celebrity deaths, and allows a year either side on the age they were at the time of their death. On this basis, I will give you the mark. It was actually 380. Prossima domanda, per favore!

 

[D6130]

Our weekly quizmaster does a question on celebrity deaths, and allows a year either side on the age they were at the time of their death. On this basis, I will give you the mark. It was actually 380. Prossima domanda, per favore!

Grazie mille Signore! Now for an easy one:
IN WHICH YEAR WAS THE ROYAL BORDER BRIDGE AT BERWICK-UPON-TWEED COMPLETED AND OPENED....AND BY WHOM WAS IT OPENED?

 

[DerekC]

I'm going to guess 1844 - and by Queen Victoria.

 

[D6130]

I'm going to guess 1844 - and by Queen Victoria.

You're correct with the person....but not the date, unfortunately.

 

[DerekC]

OK - a bit early, maybe. Try 1846?

 

[Snow1964]

Quite a rural area, so probably in later wave of rail lines
so I will guess 1855

 

[D6130]

OK - a bit early, maybe. Try 1846?

Not that year I'm afraid!

 

[D6130]

Quite a rural area, so probably in later wave of rail lines
so I will guess 1855

Nor that one!

 

[DerekC]

Well, I am sure we are in roughly the right timespan, so go for the round number. 1850?

 

[D6130]

Well, I am sure we are in roughly the right timespan, so go for the round number. 1850?

That's correct. You have both parts of the answer, so it's your turn to cross the border!

 

[DerekC]

What is the significance to railway development of the dates 13 April 1771 and 16 October 1803, and (for a bonus point) what happened in August 1827 that linked them?

 

[SuspectUsual]

I’m guessing the births of a couple of railway pioneers. Trevithick and Brunel?

 

[DerekC]

I’m guessing the births of a couple of railway pioneers. Trevithick and Brunel?

One out of two - Trevithick (born 13 April 1771) is right.

 

[Jamesrob637]

What is the significance to railway development of the dates 13 April 1771 and 16 October 1803, and (for a bonus point) what happened in August 1827 that linked them?

Robert Stephenson in 1803

 

[DerekC]

OK - so @SteveM70 and @Jamesrob637 are tied at one point each. So the tiebreaker is the bonus point. I will give you that they met, but where?

 

[steveandrews]

Bristol

 

[DerekC]

Bristol

Not Bristol. Stephenson and Trevithick appear to have met by chance. They were both on their way home from unsuccessful ventures when their paths crossed. According to a witness, they didn't get on very well, but that didn't stop Stephenson giving Trevithick (who was broke) £50 towards his passage back to England. Now where did they meet? Just the continent will do!

 

[Cowley]

Not Bristol. Stephenson and Trevithick appear to have met by chance. They were both on their way home from unsuccessful ventures when their paths crossed. According to a witness, they didn't get on very well, but that didn't stop Stephenson giving Trevithick (who was broke) £50 towards his passage back to England. Now where did they meet? Just the continent will do!

Ok I think I’ve heard this story before, unfortunately the details have entirely evacuated themselves from my mind though.

I’m going to try South America?

 

[DerekC]

Ok I think I’ve heard this story before, unfortunately the details have entirely evacuated themselves from my mind though.

I’m going to try South America?

That's right - in Cartagena on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Both had been employed as engineering advisors on mining ventures - Stephenson in Colombia and Trevithick in Costa Rica. It struck me as ironic that they were reported as not having much in common despite apparently having come up with very similar ideas for improving the performance of steam locomotives. One wonders if, since Stephenson went home, arriving in late 1827 and within two years had built the Rocket - incorporating many ideas that Trevithick and others had pioneered - there might have been a bit more to it than that. History is written by the victors! Trevithick died penniless and is buried in an obscure graveyard in Dartford, whereas Stephenson is buried in Westminster Abbey, having left an estate worth £400,000 in 1859 money.

@Cowley - your floor