George Stephenson was born in a house by the Wylam Waggonway (this is a page for the Scotsburn, Newburn and Wylam Railway. The Wylam Waggonway page has been prepared but not yet placed on website).

In 1802 he became an engineman at a colliery.

In 1808 he became an engineman at the Killingworth Colliery.

Engineer to the Hetton Waggonway.

Joseph Locke was apprenticed to George Stephenson in 1923.

Engineer to the Stockton and Darlington Railway, opened on the 27th of September 1825. Built the Locomotion for the railway; it was initially called Active.

Engineer to the Bolton and Leigh Railroad.

Engineer to the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, opened on the 15th of September 1830. The Rocket was submitted to the Rainhill Trials by Stephenson in October 1830.

He was briefly joint engineer to the Grand Junction Railway with Joseph Locke before withdrawing.