Big Boy

Between 1830 and 1948 there were more than 40,000 steam engines built to pull passengers and goods. The largest engines were called "Big Boys" and pulled 32 tons of coal as fuel and 20,000 gallons of water to create steam. Their mileage was pretty poor tho, burning 1 ton of coal and almost 1,000 gallons of water per mile. They had to stop and refuel every 25 miles but the "Big Boys" could develop 7,000 horse power and pull a train of cars a mile long.

The guage of the tracks in the U.S is 4ft 8 1/2 inches and can be traced back to the width of the Imperial Roman army war chariots. The chariots had to be pulled by two horses side by side. The chariot wheels had to be spaced far apart to avoid the hoof marks yet not protrude past the flanks of the horses to avoid entanglement with passing traffic or roadside vegetation. Since all chariots were made be Imperial Rome the size was always the same. That measurement has continued for more than 2,000 years.

water color 9"x12" $85.00 If you are interested in buying this original painting contact me.