Essex, CT 2016
This steam engine was undergoing some repairs and at first glance looks pretty old to me. I was surprised to learn the engine was built in 1989 by the Tangshan Locomotive Works in Tangshan, China. That's hardly an antique in my book. The company was making steam locomotives as late as 1991, making it the last company in the world that produced steam locomotives. This particular engine is one of two engines that are still operating in the US that were built by the Tangshan Locomotive Works
China ran many steam engines on their railroads in recent years, mostly freight. There is a short line railroad in Boone, Iowa and about 15 years ago they bought a Chinese steam engine. I think it is still running as a tourist ride.
ReplyDeleteWow - I had no idea that steam engines were still in use!
ReplyDeleteThe Boone, Iowa steam train runs on Saturdays. That Chinese steam engine has been there more than 30 years. TIme flies past so fast. There are a number of tourist steam trains in the U.S. There is the 1880s steam train in Deadwood, SD, and another one in Colorado. They all haul tourists, but those who work on them seem to have great fun.
ReplyDelete