Perseverance was a small locomotive with a weak boiler, built by Timothy Burstall. On the way to the competition, the locomotive fell off its transport and broke. Attempts to repair Perseverance continued throughout the competition.

The competition rules required the locomotives to reach a speed of at least 16 kilometres per hour. Since Perseverance did not meet this requirement, it could not compete in the race.

However, Burstall did not leave the competition empty-handed. He received a consolation prize of 25 pounds. Burstall, who worked in Scotland, had previously built a couple of steam-powered road buses – also not particularly successful.