Did you know that, on 21 February 1804, the world’s first recorded steam-hauled railway journey took place? It took place in De Cymru (South Wales), no less!
The locomotive was one of Richard Trevithick’s (13 April 1771 – 22 April 1833) and it succeeded (with somewhat mixed results) in hauling a train along the 1,321 mm (4 ft 4 in)-wide tramway.
The journey began from the Pen-y-darren ironworks, near Merthyr Tydfil, and ran to Abercynon.
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DIGITAL Welsh Histories Magazine – October 2025
Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.