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The first steam locomotive

Posted on 4/6/26 at 1:16 pm
Posted by Auburn1968
NYC
Member since Mar 2019
26327 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 1:16 pm
200 and 20 some years ago.

Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
16805 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 1:20 pm to
ole timey equipment always looks like it was designed to have as many pinch points as possible
Posted by ljhog
Lake Jackson, Tx.
Member since Apr 2009
20539 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 1:25 pm to
That thing is amazing considering when it was made. Held up well, too.
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
20482 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 1:33 pm to
quote:

Key Date: February 21, 1804—the date of the first successful journey.
The Journey: The locomotive ran from Merthyr Tydfil to Abercynon in Wales, a distance of about 9 miles, taking over 4 hours.


Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
139012 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 1:34 pm to
quote:

timey equipment always looks like it was designed to have as many pinch points as possible


While true, they were built to last
Posted by VolsOut4Harambe
Atlanta, GA
Member since Sep 2017
14315 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 1:37 pm to
That evolved into beauties like this:



Posted by Cheese Grits
Wherever I lay my hat is my home
Member since Apr 2012
61757 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 1:45 pm to
If you never did a trip on a old steam engine, you have not lived.
Posted by wesfau
Member since Mar 2023
2246 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 2:50 pm to
John Henry was a steel driving bastard,
But John Henry was a bastard just the same.
Posted by ImaObserver
Member since Aug 2019
2497 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 2:51 pm to
quote:

If you never did a trip on a old steam engine, you have not lived.

In 1949, I was 12 years old the first time I got to ride in an old steam engine and I got run it while switching cars between the main line and side track. Would have cost the Engineer and Firemen both their jobs today, but I got sent home with a note to my parents on a company time sheet so that I wouldn't get punished for lying.

Long story or I would post it here.
Yes, I am an old fart and today is my 89th birthday.
Posted by Spankum
The Sip
Member since Jan 2007
61973 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 3:04 pm to
quote:

In 1949, I was 12 years old the first time I got to ride in an old steam engine



This is a legit cool story. Happy birthday to you, man!
Posted by GasMan
north Mississippi
Member since Sep 2003
1516 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 3:06 pm to
Posted by VolsOut4Harambe
Atlanta, GA
Member since Sep 2017
14315 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 3:07 pm to
quote:

ImaObserver



Which railroad?
Posted by CuyahogaTigerJr
Northeast ohio
Member since Aug 2018
2387 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 3:58 pm to
Happy Birthday and many more
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
74499 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 5:32 pm to
Happy Birthday you 1937 model.

In 1937, the US Army had less than 180,000 active duty soldiers.
By May of 1945, it was at ~8.2 million personnel.

The US had over 12 million folks in uniform (all branches) in 1945.

Here’s a ‘37 Series 90 (V16 powered) Cadillac: $9k new





Posted by HogBalls
Member since Nov 2014
9130 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 5:55 pm to
I need to know the NOx and CO levels coming out of that stack baw.
Posted by Auburn1968
NYC
Member since Mar 2019
26327 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 7:23 pm to
quote:

The fastest officially recognized speed for a steam locomotive (steam engine) is 126 mph (203 km/h).

en.wikipedia.org

This record was set on July 3, 1938, by the British LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard (a streamlined 4-6-2 Pacific-type locomotive). It achieved the speed while descending the slight gradient of Stoke Bank on the East Coast Main Line between Grantham and Peterborough, UK, during brake trials. The train hauled seven coaches (about 243 tonnes). The speed was measured using a dynamometer car, with a brief peak of 126 mph and a ratified/sustained figure often cited around 125 mph over a measured distance.
Posted by NOLATiger163
Insane State of NOLA
Member since Aug 2018
619 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 9:55 pm to
quote:

That thing is amazing considering when it was made. Held up well, too.

This is all quite interesting, but to be clear, that's a reproduction. The ca. 1803-04 original does not exist. IIRC the oldest verifiable, substantially-original steam locomotive is Puffing Billy (Wikipedia) from 1813-14, and it is not operational. Still, can you imagine steam locomotives from before the Battle of New Orleans?!
Posted by Lou Loomis
A pond. Ponds good for you.
Member since Mar 2025
1874 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 10:28 pm to
quote:

Yes, I am an old fart and today is my 89th birthday


Sir, that is incredible! And an awesomely cool story too. Congratulations on your 89th birthday and much respect to you sir.
Posted by Obtuse1
Westside Bodymore Yo
Member since Sep 2016
30307 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 10:32 pm to
While that N&W J was the "Queen of steam" for passenger locomotives, I am partial to the Southern Ps-4 (streamlined or not) and the SP GS-4 in Daylight colors.





But my all-time favorite is the C&O H8 Allegheny the only locomotive that could drag a UP Big Boy around like a chihuahua on a leash.



Posted by biglego
San Francisco
Member since Nov 2007
84469 posts
Posted on 4/6/26 at 10:39 pm to
I’m picturing a woman driving that train and wrecking it
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