Reading the Introduction to Wilsons’ SDG Memoirs and Diary (1972), young Daniel was seemingly well placed and timed at his birth for the early developments with steam locomotion.
In 1816, locomotives running on rails had been around for 12 years (Thevithick in 1804 had a somewhat successful locomotive), but was yet to gain full recognition of its ability.
He was also born in the heart of the area which developed the early locomotives, the Great Northern Coalfield; ohe was born just a short distance north of Killingworth and Wylam; areas famous by the exploits of one George Stephenson.
Indeed George was a regular visitor to the Gooch household in Daniels’ childhood, and by the age of 9, the Stockton and Darlington had been opened; with the line using the ‘Bedlington Rail’ developed by John Birkinshaw.
These strong connections stood young Daniel in good stead for his future achievements, which is the subject of future posts!
Sir Daniel Gooch 