A typical American steam locomotive from the mid 1800's era.

 

Locomotives built in America prior to 1900, have always held

a certain leval of fascination for me.  Engines built prior to the

1880's, were often painted in bright and elaborate color schemes.

 

Many of the early steam locomotives, burned wood for fuel. The

locomotive headlights burned oil or kerosene, boiler jackets were

polished and often featured a blue or green metallic finish, cabs

were made of wood, and an average engine weight of the time, was

a light 44 Tons. Locomotive and tender wheels, were often painted

in bright shades of red or sometimes maroon depending on the -

railroad. Some had black driving wheels early on.

 

The 1880's would find the railroads getting away from the elaborate

and costly to maintain fancy color schemes and ornamentation on

the steam locomotives. Basic black was more cost effective as well.

 

It was a colorful era indeed back then.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.