1990 The Great Days of Steam Railroading Calendar

Description

Calendar with nice vintage B & W photos. Closed, the calendar measures 8 1/2" x 11". Published by California Southern Railroad. Steam locomotives dominated rail traction from the mid 19th century until the mid 20th century, after which they were superseded by diesel and electric locomotives. Many consider the steam locomotive to be one of the most fascinating mechanical devices ever created, passing steam locomotives often grabbing the attention of bystanders. Inspired by British success, the United States started developing steam locomotives in 1829 with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Tom Thumb. This was the first locomotive to run in America, although it was intended as a demonstration of the potential of steam traction, rather than as a revenue-earning locomotive. The first successful steam railway in the US was the South Carolina Railroad whose inaugural train ran in December 1830 hauled by the Best Friend of Charleston. Many of the earliest locomotives for American railroads were imported from England, including the Stourbridge Lion and the John Bull, but a national locomotive manufacturing industry was quickly established, with locomotives like the DeWitt Clinton being built in the 1830s.
Inv Bin #14