You could travel on trains for FREE – but there’s a catch
YOU can now travel on trains for free but there is one important catch.
A train ticketing app is on the hunt for relatives of an unsung British rail pioneer – to give him the recognition he deserves.
Virgin Trains Ticketing is looking for those related to Richard Trevithick, who played a pivotal role in designing the locomotive used in the world’s first steam-powered rail journey in February 21, 1804.
And exactly 220 years on from that journey in South Wales, the brand is celebrating the momentous milestone by rewarding his descendants as part of a campaign to further enlighten people about his huge impact on British rail.
Anyone with the surname Trevithick could unknowingly be a descendent of the iconic rail pioneer – and could now be rewarded with free train travel.
Mark Plowright, director at Virgin Trains Ticketing said: “Richard Trevithick’s influence and impact on British rail history should not go unnoticed.
“He was a true trailblazer who laid the foundations for others to go on and help build upon his successes.
“We want to make sure his good work doesn’t go unnoticed – and that’s why we’re offering free train travel to his lucky namesakes.”
But Trevithick’s impact on Britain’s industrial revolution has often been overlooked in favour of others.
Research of 2,000 adults found just 22 per cent recognised Richard Trevithick’s name and only 14 per cent knew he constructed the world’s first steam railway locomotive.
As a result, 44 per cent admitted they have a lack of knowledge when it comes to the history of Britain’s train and railways.
There are certain pioneers that have remained well-known however, with the most recognisable being Isambard Kingdom Brunel (58 per cent), who designed Paddington Station, and George Stephenson (57 per cent), who built the first train to carry passengers on a public rail line.
But upon learning about Richard Trevithick’s work, 74 per cent believed he is overlooked in Britain’s history of rail travel.
While 79 per cent feel more should be done to raise awareness and celebrate British pioneers, with the same percentage saying schools should teach more about the role engineers played in developing rail travel.
When it comes to knowledge on Richard Trevithick, just 35 per cent knew his first steam locomotive carried five wagons of iron on its first journey.
And only 24 per cent were aware 1804 was the year in which he successfully tested high steam locomotive on Britain’s railways.
While just 23 per cent could name Liverpool and Manchester as the birthplace of the world’s first intercity railway in 1830, with 18 per cent wrongly of the belief it was London and Bristol.
It also emerged 21 per cent incorrectly thought Great Western Railway was the first company to introduce the world’s first timetable for public use in 1839, but it was Manchester and Liverpool Railway (14 per cent).
But a knowledgeable 48 per cent knew the railways system in Britain is the oldest in the world.
The research, conducted via OnePoll, found 92 per cent believe the invention of British railways were important.
Of those polled, 23 per cent often travel by rail due to affordability (52 per cent), comfort (45 per cent) and convenience of schedules (43 per cent).
And more than two centuries since the world’s first steam locomotive, rail travel has come on leaps and bounds, with 57 per cent buying their tickets digitally either online or through ticketing apps.
A spokesperson for genealogy company Ancestry, which helped to source key historical facts about Richard Trevithick, said: “The research shows there’s limited knowledge around Richard Trevithick, and after more than 220 years from his great invention, we want to put the nation on the right track to learn more about British rail history.
“With more than 40 billion records to explore, we encourage everyone to start their journey to learn more about their past.
“It’s incredible what you could discover and where this journey could take you – you may even find an ancestor in our railway records.”
Those who share the surname Trevithick should email trevithick@virgin.com to claim their free travel for three months.