Wylam
Wylam is a village in the area of Northumberland. It lies concerning 10 miles (16 km) west of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is famous for the being the birth place of George Stephenson, among the early railway pioneers. George Stephenson's Birthplace, his home, can be located on the north bank of the Tyne 3/4 mile (1.2 kilometres) east of the town centre. It is owned by the National Trust however is closed to the general public. Wylam has further connections with the very early train leaders. The steam engine designer Timothy Hackworth, who worked with Stephenson, was also born right here. William Hedley who was born in the nearby town of Newburn went to the village school. He later went on to design and also manufacture Puffing Billy in 1813, 2 years before George Stephenson created his initial locomotive Blücher. Christopher Blackett as lord of the estate in the initial 30 years of the 19th century offered the entrepreneurial drive that encouraged these engineers.