He played a huge role in creating rail travel and now descendants of Richard Trevithick can benefit with free travel to mark the 220th anniversary of the first railway journey.

Virgin Trains Ticketing – a train ticketing app – is on the hunt for relatives of the Cornish rail pioneer to give him the recognition he deserves.

On February 21, 1804, the world’s first ever railway journey took place in South Wales, thanks to findings from Camborne’s Richard Trevithick.

He patented a high pressure steam engine in 1802, which was constructed at Hayle Foundry in 1811 for threshing purposes at Trewithen and was in use on the estate there until 1879.

Last October plans were revealed to try and bring the Trevithick engine home from the Science Museum’s collection, where it has been for many years, and instead house it in its original location within Trewithen’s Trevithick Barn.

His initial demonstration of a steam carriage was followed by the first steam locomotive on rails, called Catch Me Who Can.

His inventions made it possible to use smaller and lighter steam engines, making it important in the development of the steam locomotive.

However, despite his visionary work, Trevithick never received the acclaim he deserved during his lifetime and died in poverty, although he is now celebrated every year in Camborne with a day of festivities on Trevithick Day.

Now, 220 years on, Virgin Trains Ticketing is celebrating Trevithick by rewarding his descendants with free train travel across Great Britain.

The company believes Trevithick's impact on Britain's industrial revolution has often been overlooked in favour of others. In fact, research by Virgin Trains Ticketing found just one in five (22%) recognised Richard Trevithick’s name and only 14% knew he constructed the world’s first steam railway train.

However, upon learning about Richard Trevithick’s work, three quarters (74%) believe he is overlooked in Britain’s history of rail travel.

The company said anyone with the surname Trevithick could unknowingly be a descendent of the iconic rail pioneer – and could now be rewarded with free train travel across the country to celebrate all he’s done for the railway industry.

Mark Plowright, director at Virgin Trains Ticketing, said: “Richard Trevithick’s influence and impact on British rail history should not go unnoticed. He was a true trailblazer who laid the foundations for others to go on and help build upon his successes.

“We want to make sure his good work doesn’t go unnoticed – and that’s why we’re offering free train travel to his lucky namesakes.”

To bring attention to Richard Trevithick’s great work, Virgin Trains Ticketing is offering free train travel for three months to those who share the surname Trevithick.

Email trevithick@virgin.com with a photo of your ID by Wednesday, March 6 2024 if you are a Trevithick to claim your free travel. Terms and conditions apply.