Dec 07, 2016
181st Anniversary of the Adler's First Run
This Doodle’s Key Themes
All aboard! 181 years ago today, the Adler steam locomotive became the first commercial train to begin operation in Germany on Dec. 7, 1835. Meaning “eagle” in German, the Adler was built and designed in 1835 by Robert and George Stephenson in Newcastle upon Tyne, England for the Bavarian Ludwig Railway.
Over its 23 years of service, the Adler was used to transport passengers, goods, and cattle 7.45 kilometers (4.66 miles) between Nuremberg and Fürth with a top speed of 65 km/h (40 mph).
Retired in 1858, the Adler became a national symbol for power and industry. And while the original no longer exists, a working replica is currently on display at the Nuremberg Transport Museum, where it’s occasionally rolled out for exhibitions and special events.
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