This issue was released on the 12th March 1980, and consisted of a set of five stamps designed by David Gentleman.

The stamps commemorated the opening of the train service in 1830, which was the world’s first to passengers and mail. The engine selected for this important service was George Stephenson’s “Rocket” which was built in 1829.

The stamps were printed se-tenant within the sheet, forming a strip of five stamps. When viewed together, they depict a complete train from the period.

All of the stamps were of a 12p value, and the first of the strip depicted Stephenson’s “Rocket” approaching Moorish Arch in Liverpool. The next stamp depicted first and second class carriages passing through Olive Mount Cutting, while the following stamp depicted a Third class Carriage and Cattle Truck crossing Chat Moss. The next stamp depicted a Horse-box and Carriage Truck near Bridgewater Canal, and the final stamp of the strip depicted a Goods Truck and a Mail Coach at Manchester.

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