George Stephenson was the station-master for the town of Springfield, Federated Commonwealths of America. In 1782, inventor Richard Trevithick came to Springfield with his prototype Iron Elephant steam-engine. Stephenson was so impressed that he neglected to have his crew ready to unload the passengers and baggage from a newly arrived train. The train's driver, Prem Chand, was angered by Stephenson's negligence. When he found the station-master, Stephenson briefly apologized, and the immediately introduced Prem Chand to Trevithick. Stephenson's enthusiasm helped goad Prem Chand into challenging Trevithick to a race between his hairy elephants and Trevithick's Iron Elephant.