Early Steam Locomotives

France, England, other European countries were responsible for the early development of steam locomotives and railroads. The Americas with their vast land expanses quickly embraced railroading. Even in the United States there was some opposition. But, once the advantages of relatively fast travel over long distances became evident, railroads began springing up seemingly everywhere. In 1825 a demonstration rail system was constructed. In 1829 steam engines like the Stoubridge Lion and Stephenson's America made their debut in the U.S. In August of 1830 the Tom Thumb locomotive built by Peter Cooper lost it's famous race with a horse, but, also showed many influential people the potential of the steam locomotive. The building of the Best Friend signaled the dawn of the American railroad industry. We now look back with nastalgia at what these brave and bold industrial pioneers were able to accomplish. While the railroads were a scourge to some and the methods used to impliment their construction were often less than ethical, there is no denying the fact that they changed the face of America - forever.