The words Steam Engine conjure up
images of flashing side rods and belching steam thundering down the
rails. Those of us that have had the privilege of riding a steam
train recall the grit and smell of the coal smoke. Of the larger
locomotives there a certain fury in the the way they move high
balling down the track. There are kitschy films out there that have presented a certain public image of the the greatest locomotives based on their model names. The classic Last of the Giants is a case in point. This doesn't scratch the surface of what a steam engine is really like.
Today perception of locomotives is based off children's films like Thomas the Tank Engine. These films personify the locomotive in ways that are a far cry from what a steam engine is really like.
In reality the steam engine is the opposite of the businesslike diesel locomotive we are accustomed to seeing. A steam engine personality is distinctly female--a prim female that has to be constantly pampered. This include the giant articulateds such as the Yellowstones and even the 4000 series 'Big Boy'. The steam engine a temperamental delicate thing. She had to be awakened carefully. She has to be warmed up first before the fire is even lit inside of her boiler- lest her fire box and crack and her staybolts come loose. And while she is on the road her fire has to tended and not allowed to go out. She isn't allowed to dry out either. Putting her to bed is a slow and laborious process as well.
Steam engines are things of beauty and their crews felt affection for them in much the same way a race car driver would feel affection for his racing car. They would often is as much or more time with their locomotive as they would their wives.
Steam engines are things of beauty and their crews felt affection for them in much the same way a race car driver would feel affection for his racing car. They would often is as much or more time with their locomotive as they would their wives.
Thomas and Last of the Giants may live on the word of film, but that isn't the hard reality when it comes to the world of Steam. Such films may be enjoyable to some viewers, but they are as out of touch with the world of Steam as Tiki Culture is out of touch with Maori Culture.
