B&O "Tom Thumb" replica (Steam Expo 1986)

hardhatMAK
recent  |  interesting  |  random  |  favorites  |  contacts  |  sets  |  tags:  
B&O
B&O "Tom Thumb" replica (Steam Expo 1986)

1927 replica of 1830 0-4-0 B&O "Tom Thumb" locomotive.

Tom Thumb was the first American-built steam locomotive to operate on a common-carrier railroad. Designed and constructed by Peter Cooper in 1830, it was built to convince owners of the newly formed Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) to use steam engines and not intended to enter revenue service. It is especially remembered as a participant in an impromptu race with a horse-drawn car, which the horse won after Tom Thumb suffered a mechanical failure. However, the demonstration was successful; and in the following year, the railroad committed to the use of steam locomotion and held trials for a working engine.

Because Tom Thumb was not intended for revenue service, the locomotive was not preserved. Though Cooper and others associated with the railroad's early days left detailed descriptions which enabled the general dimensions and appearance to be worked out. In 1892, a wooden model was constructed by Major Joseph Pangborn, a western newspaperman and publicist, who also had models made of many other early locomotives

In 1927 the B&O hosted a centennial exhibition near Baltimore, titled "Fair of the Iron Horse," and had a replica constructed for the exhibition. This replica followed Pangborn's model and therefore differed considerably from the original, being somewhat larger and heavier, and considerably taller. Also, instead of the blower in the stack, a much larger blower was mounted on the platform to provide a forced draft, and the support frame of the cylinder and guides was considerably different.

The replica remains on display at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, MD. The museum lists the replica as operational, and the locomotive makes special appearances each year.

© All Rights Reserved
Taken on: May 28, 1986
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with Kodachrome 64 Kodachrome 64 Everybody's photos tagged with Scanned slide Scanned slide Everybody's photos tagged with Steam Expo 1986 Steam Expo 1986 more » Everybody's photos tagged with 5-28-1986 5-28-1986 Everybody's photos tagged with Vancouver BC Vancouver BC Everybody's photos tagged with 0-4-0 0-4-0 Everybody's photos tagged with Tom Thumb replica Tom Thumb replica Everybody's photos tagged with B&O B&O « less
Sets appears in:   • Steam Expo 1986   
Stats: 133 views