Steam history of the SJ&W
Apr. 3rd, 2015 01:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lionkingcmslI thought it would be neat to compare the lengths of the John Bull locomotive, acquired by the Camden and Amboy Railroad back in 1831, and the largest steam locomotive that the SJ&W owned, a Challenger 4-6-6-4, first built in 1936, 105 years later. I also have a model of the DeWitt Clinton, built for the MoHawk and Hudson Railroad also in 1831.
The DeWitt Clinton is in front, then the John Bull and then finally the Challenger. All three are even with their front ends. The only reason that the DeWitt Clinton seems to be further ahead is because it has no pilot, while the John Bull and the Challenger have one.
Some interesting notes about the trains.
The DeWitt Clinton was the first steam locomotive to be operated in the state of New York. It was built in New York and only operated from 1831 to 1833, after which it was scrapped. The M&H RR became part of the New York Central System which had a replica built. The replica still survives and can be found at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
The John Bull was built in England by John Stephenson and then shipped to Philadelphia. When it first was operated it did not have the cab or pilot. Its original number was 1 and its name was the "Stevens" to honor the president of the C&A. It got the name "John Bull" because of where of it was manufactured and a reference to the cartoon personification of England, John Bull. Early on the smokestack (chimney) was changed due to wood embers setting fires along the track side and to passengers clothing. Early additions included the cab, headlight, bell and leading truck. Circa 1840 chief mechanic Isaac Dripps (I love that name) added the now famous "cowcatcher" or pilot. The train set, as pictured, is how it would have looked between 1840 and 1866, when it was taken out of revenue service. The famous picture of the John Bull and train was actually taken after the locomotive was taken out of revenue service. Amazingly the original John Bull still exists at the Smithsonian Institution in the National Museum of American History in Washington D. C. There is a replica, that was built by the Pennsylvania RR, that is displayed at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Strasburg, PA. The original John Bull is still in operating condition and was last under fire in 1981 for its 150th birthday! At that time it was the oldest operating steam locomotive and self propelled vehicle in the world.
The John Bull under steam in 1981!
The Challenger type locomotive was first designed by the Union Pacific Railroad and the American Locomotive Works (ALCo) and was first delivered in 1936. There are two surviving examples. One is on static display in North Platte, Nebraska and the other is in revenue service for the Union Pacific Railroad.
It is interesting to note that the Challenger is almost as long as the entire John Bull train set, while the DeWitt Clinton's entire train set is only as long as the John Bull's engine, tender and first coach. Also the U.S. went to two four wheel trucks (bogies) very early, as the 1840-1866 coaches, as shown on the John Bull cars, had them. Also note that the U.S. went to "corridor" coaches early as, again, pictured in both John Bull photos
The DeWitt Clinton is in front, then the John Bull and then finally the Challenger. All three are even with their front ends. The only reason that the DeWitt Clinton seems to be further ahead is because it has no pilot, while the John Bull and the Challenger have one.
Some interesting notes about the trains.
The DeWitt Clinton was the first steam locomotive to be operated in the state of New York. It was built in New York and only operated from 1831 to 1833, after which it was scrapped. The M&H RR became part of the New York Central System which had a replica built. The replica still survives and can be found at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
The John Bull was built in England by John Stephenson and then shipped to Philadelphia. When it first was operated it did not have the cab or pilot. Its original number was 1 and its name was the "Stevens" to honor the president of the C&A. It got the name "John Bull" because of where of it was manufactured and a reference to the cartoon personification of England, John Bull. Early on the smokestack (chimney) was changed due to wood embers setting fires along the track side and to passengers clothing. Early additions included the cab, headlight, bell and leading truck. Circa 1840 chief mechanic Isaac Dripps (I love that name) added the now famous "cowcatcher" or pilot. The train set, as pictured, is how it would have looked between 1840 and 1866, when it was taken out of revenue service. The famous picture of the John Bull and train was actually taken after the locomotive was taken out of revenue service. Amazingly the original John Bull still exists at the Smithsonian Institution in the National Museum of American History in Washington D. C. There is a replica, that was built by the Pennsylvania RR, that is displayed at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum in Strasburg, PA. The original John Bull is still in operating condition and was last under fire in 1981 for its 150th birthday! At that time it was the oldest operating steam locomotive and self propelled vehicle in the world.
The John Bull under steam in 1981!
The Challenger type locomotive was first designed by the Union Pacific Railroad and the American Locomotive Works (ALCo) and was first delivered in 1936. There are two surviving examples. One is on static display in North Platte, Nebraska and the other is in revenue service for the Union Pacific Railroad.
It is interesting to note that the Challenger is almost as long as the entire John Bull train set, while the DeWitt Clinton's entire train set is only as long as the John Bull's engine, tender and first coach. Also the U.S. went to two four wheel trucks (bogies) very early, as the 1840-1866 coaches, as shown on the John Bull cars, had them. Also note that the U.S. went to "corridor" coaches early as, again, pictured in both John Bull photos
