Table of Contents; Page 2; IndexHISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCOMOTIVE
The first locomotive engine designed to run upon rails was constructed in 1803, under the direction of Richard Trevithick, a Cornish mine captain in South Wales. Though crudely and peculiarly made, it possessed all of the characteristics of the modern locomotive with the exception of the multi-tubular boiler. The locomotive had a return-flue boiler 60 inches long, and two pairs of driving wheels - each 52 inches in diameter. Thepower was furnished by one cylinder, 54 inches long and 8 inches in diameter. The exhaust steam from the cylinder was conducted to the smoke-stack where it aided in creating a draft on the fire. This engine, shown in Fig. 1, made several trips of nine miles each, running about five miles per hour and carrying about two tons. Although the machine was a commercial failure, yet from a mechanical standpoint, it was a great success.
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