Leviathan

Leviathan, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

The Leviathan, locomotive number 63, was built for the Central Pacific Railroad in 1868, one of four purchased from the Schenectady Locomotive Works. A wood burning locomotive, the Leviathan was a sister to the famous Jupiter, which participated in the famous Golden Spike ceremony on the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Like the Jupiter and their other sisters, the Leviathan was scrapped many years ago-as trains got longer these small, early locomotives could no longer keep up. This stunning recreation of number 63 was completed in 2009, and tours American railroad museums and other special events. It's beautiful, and offers an interesting glimpse to an important part of history.

Leviathan

Leviathan, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Always a popular draw, steam locomotives are still a rare enough sighting in the United States that they draw a crowd wherever they go. Leviathan is a replica of a Schenectady Locomotive Works engine, built in 1868 for the Central Pacific Railroad. Leviathan was built entirely from scratch by the Kloke Locomotive Works of Elgin, Illinois.

It is a truly beautiful machine. Every detail is absolutely perfect, and the Leviathan is fully functional. It appeared at the Illinois Railway Museum this past summer, and I was fortunate enough to ride behind it for a short trip on the museum's main line. Fun, and possibly a unique experience for me.

Burlington

Burlington, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

A classic Baldwin 4-6-4 steam locomotive, built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia. Dating from 1930, this big boy served with the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy.

I like this shot. It really has that analogue, TtV look to it, and encapsulates everything I like about this technique.

Steam

Steam, originally uploaded by William 74.

Today, train travel and railroading in general is accompanied by the thrum of diesel engines, but it wasn't too long ago that the chuffing of a steam engine was the soundtrack of the rails. Steam locomotives were prevalent in North America from the beginning of railroading until the middle of the 20th century, with the last mainline steam operations ending in the 1960's, although some shortlines continued to use steam well after that, and the Northwestern Steel and Wire Company used steam locomotives until the 80's. Today, the Durango and Silverton, a narrow gauge railroad that grew out of the Rio Grande's Silverton branch, continues to use steam, as it always has since the 1800s!

This one, CB&Q 3007, is a Baldwin and dates from 1930.