The oldest steam locomotives in the world

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Now almost all the old steam locomotives that have remained on Earth can only be seen as monuments, and once upon a time a whole story began with them. The first records for speed, power and carrying capacity were set precisely by these huge vehicles, sending clouds of black smoke into the sky, deafeningly rumbling vehicles. Like automobiles, steam locomotives have come a long way before they were recognized and became popular for a while. Although it cannot be said that today people have lost interest in them.

History of creation: the very first steam locomotive in the world

The history of steam locomotives begins in 1803, when British engineer Richard Trevithick decides to equip a rolling cart with a steam engine. It was then that the world's first steam locomotive was created, or rather, its likeness. Trevithick built the real train a year later, after conducting a test, during which he attached several more trolleys to his creation. The invention was patented, and therefore officially considered the first and oldest steam locomotive inworld.

Of course, the resulting vehicle was not trustworthy of the public. However, skepticism quickly faded with the advent of the Stephenson machine. It became clear: the heavier the locomotive, the better its smooth wheels will run on smooth rails. So, in 1825, Locomotion No. 1 passed along the world's first railway. It is considered the oldest in the world and can still be seen in the Darlington Railway Museum. Thanks to him, the first term related to railways appeared - a locomotive.

The world's oldest steam locomotives

In 1900, the American company Richmond Locomotive Works developed the H2-293, which is on the list of the oldest steam locomotives. 13 years later it was acquired by the Finnish Railways Authority. This locomotive is considered the most revolutionary, because in 1917 it helped V. I. Lenin hide from the Provisional Government. On August 9, the machinist Yalava transported Vladimir Ilyich to Finland, and on October 7 of the same year he returned him back to Petrograd in a similar way. Now H2-293 is permanently parked in a glazed pavilion on one of the platforms of the Finland Station in St. Petersburg.

The old locomotives also include the Soviet E-class locomotive, produced in 1912 in Lugansk. It is considered the most massive - 11 thousand copies have been produced in 45 years. As much as no other locomotive plant has produced.

Olympic locomotives that survived the war were produced in 1935 by the Berlin company Borsig. There were only 3 andsteam locomotives were intended exclusively for serving participants and guests of the Olympics in the capital of Germany. These locomotives boasted a futuristic appearance: streamlined shapes, closed body, red color. It was the Borsig locomotive that set the speed record in 1936 - 200.4 km/h.

Steam locomotives in the USSR

Above, we have already touched a little on the topic of old steam locomotives of the USSR. But it is impossible not to mention the P38 locomotive. It was a real giant, the heaviest in the history of Soviet locomotive building. It is also considered the last in the Soviet Union.

P38 were produced in 1954-1955. The model consisted of 4 freight locomotives equipped with the Mallet system. The locomotive was a lightweight version of the world's heaviest American steam locomotive.

Another noteworthy locomotive was also created in Lugansk in 1934. "AA" ("Andrey Andreev") became the only steam locomotive in the world with seven moving axles on a rigid frame, although there were usually 5 of them. This is the most straightforward locomotive. In a straight line, he walked perfectly, but on turning circles he did not fit. On the arrows, he generally went off the rails. So his fate was predetermined.

"IS" is the most unique steam locomotive. The locomotive "Joseph Stalin" was created in 1932. Steam locomotives were high-speed, gaining speed up to 115 kilometers per hour. The locomotive had a streamlined shape. The uniqueness lay in the fact that "IS" became the most powerful passenger steam locomotive in Europe.

Amazing locomotivespeace

The speed record for an Olympic locomotive was broken in 1938 by the British-made Mallard, one of the most amazing engines in the world. It accelerated to 202.7 km/h. Designed for speeds in excess of 160 km/h, Mallard had a streamlined body and wheels with a diameter of more than 2 m. It has remained the fastest in the world.

The most powerful and heaviest steam locomotive was developed in the USA in 1941. A series of locomotives was called "He althy". The total length of the vehicle was more than 40 m, and the giants weighed at least 500 tons. However, they were considered quite quiet when compared to other steam locomotives.

The most unique and interesting steam locomotives

The Orient Express is a true legend. Carriages decorated in Art Deco style have been incredibly popular with filmmakers, photographers and writers since their inception (19th century) until today. A romantic atmosphere reigns here, mixed with luxury and permeated with mystery. These locomotives still travel through the most beautiful European cities to tell people the history and rich culture of each of these settlements.

Interesting facts

• The first steam wagon was invented in 1769 by Frenchman Nicolas Cugno.
• The first underground railway was opened in London in 1863.
• The USSR spent at least 1,500 million dollars on the production of the steam locomotive P38.
• The longest Guinness World Record flight starts in Moscow and ends in Pyongyang. Traincovers a distance of more than 10 thousand km.
• There are several places where you can ride old steam locomotives: Belgrave Station in Australia, Merichan Sugar Mill in Java Island, Heilongjiang Province in China, Earl's Court Metro Station in London, and Main Railway Station in Lviv.