Rainhill Trials steam trains. Diagrams of three of the steam trains contending at the Rainhill Trials of 1829. The trials were run at Rainhill, near Liverpool, UK, to determine which train would be used on the newly-completed railway from Liverpool to Manchester. Ten trains entered, but only five competed on the day. The three steam trains shown here are (top to bottom): the Novelty (by John Ericsson and John Braithwaithe), the Sanspareil (by Timothy Hackworth) and the Rocket (by George Stephenson). The Novelty was the favourite, but withdrew due to engine problems. The Sanspareil completed 8 of the required 10 trips before also suffering engine failure. It was later used on the railway, along with the winner, the Rocket, the only locomotive to complete the trials.