‘John Bull’ 4-2-0
‘John Bull’ 4-2-0
The ‘John Bull’ was the first successful locomotive in America. Designed by Spehenson and adapted for US rails by the Camden and Amboy, the engine proved that steam locomotion would work in the US.
Under the Americana, it’s a Stepehenson ‘Samson’ class 0-4-0 of 1831, of the type that ran goods trains on the Liverpool and Manchester railway.
Shortly after arrival, rough track derailed the train, and a pony truck was added. To do this, they disconnected the leading driving wheels, leaving just the rear ones powered, turning it into a 4-2-0. They also added a bell, a lamp, and a CHUNKY FUNNEL.
The engine was rather successful, and was retired in 1866 and is now preserved at the Smithsonian in America.
In 1981, the engine ran again, making it the oldest (then) operable Steam Locomotive, only outdoing the UK’s Lion by 3 years.
However, like Lion, the engine no longer runs, sits on a plinth, and gets stared at by locals.
Yes, the tender wagon thing is a converted 1850 boxcar. It worked, don’t fight me. Not my fault you Americans used a weird tender, I already have loads of Stephenson tender models, but you just had to go and make a little van thing to put ya logs in.
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