Great Britain – Scott #904 (1980)

The Liverpool and Manchester Railway opened on September 15, 1830, connecting the major industrial city of Manchester with the nearest deep water port at the Port of Liverpool, 35 miles (56 km) away. Although horse-drawn railways already existed elsewhere, and a few industrial sites already used primitive steam locomotives for bulk haulage, the L&M was first railway to rely exclusively on steam power, with no horse-drawn traffic permitted at any time; the first to connect two major cities; the first to be entirely double tracked throughout its length; the first to have a signaling system;  the first to provide a scheduled passenger service; and the first to carry mail The opening day was a major public event. Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, the Prime Minister, rode on one of the eight inaugural trains, as did many other dignitaries and notable figures of the day. Huge…