George Stephensons birthplace-Wylam Waggonway, Northumberland

George Stephenson was born in this cottage on the wylam waggonway in 1781....the holy of holies for trainspotters.  The Wylam Waggonway-which is now a beautiful cycle track and part of Hadrians way that follows the Roman Wall-  was one of the very early waggonways, originally horsedrawn, and was opened in 1748.

The village of Wylam was not only the birthplace of George Stephenson, but also of  Timothy Hackworth of Shildon fame, and William Hedley, the designer of the famous Puffing Billy.