3-011-452 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Stephenson's locomotive manufactory at Newcastle-On-Tyne: the fitting shop, 1864. '...a view of the large building called "the fitting shop." It is here that, after all the separate portions of the locomotive have been constructed and finished, each in its separate department, all are brought together and placed in their proper relative positions by a highly skilled class of workmen called fitters. Under the hands of these men the locomotive grows rapidly; the frame is put together; the work of the boiler-maker finds its place; crank- axle and cylinder occupy them proper position; piston-rods, connecting-rods, eccentrics, and reversing-gear follow, with all the smaller portions, until a complete and perfect engine is produced'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.