The aim of the Murdoch Flyer Project is to create community pride and help to place Redruth on the tourist map through the Murdoch Flyer steam carriage replica. We will research, design, construct and display a full size, live steam, working replica of William Murdoch's 1784 steam carriage, the first steam driven vehicle to be built in Great Britain.

There is documentary evidence that during the 1790`s, Murdoch constructed a large steam carriage at the Tuckingmill Brass Foundry, near Redruth.  There are no drawings or other records of William Murdoch`s large steam carriage, so the replica to be constructed by the project team will be a conjectural one and will set out to establish whether a large locomotive of Murdoch`s design could have worked.

Our objective is to build a vehicle that will run at least a quarter of a mile under steam on fairly level ground and to have the vehicle on show in Redruth when it is not being used elsewhere. We intend to promote Redruth and its heritage at events where there is a high public profile such as Murdoch Day, The Royal Cornwall Show, the St Agnes Steam Rally etc.

We will promote the life and work of William Murdoch, at that time a resident of Redruth and the town's adopted son, and publicise his home Murdoch House, in Cross Street, Redruth.

We will promote Cornwall and the Kerrier District for its mining heritage and as the birthplace of road and rail transport.