American Steam Locomotives: Design and Development, 1880–1960

by William L. Withuhn

For nearly half of the nation's history, the steam locomotive was the outstanding symbol for progress and power. It was the literal engine of the Industrial Revolution, and it played an instrumental role in putting the United States on the world stage. While the steam locomotive's basic principle of operation is simple, designers and engineers honed these concepts into 100-mph passenger trains and 600-ton behemoths capable of hauling mile-long freight at incredible speeds. American Steam Locomotives is a thorough and engaging history of the invention that captured public imagination like no other, and the people who brought it to life.

Genres: Trains

464 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2019

Reviews

[Althusian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interested in K4s, 'Big Boys' and Texas 2-10-4s? Well this book covers that, but Withuhn's book is really about what it says on the tin: steam locomotive design in the USA. It picks up the story of American steam locomotive development in 1880s, when US locomotive design had settled on the 'American' type (4-4-0), and the opening section (four chapters) explains the popularity of the design. Section 2 addresses some of the biggest challenges facing designers: assessing and exploiting compounding and superheating, comprehending the relationships between firebox size, grate area, heating surfaces, cylinders and draughting, followed by a look at the impact of safety regulation. The chapter 'Leadership in Industrial Research' includes the dramatic impact of the PRR's Altoona test plant on design, specifically the design of the famous K4 Pacifics. (As an English reader, I would point out that in the UK, Churchward was using just such a plant to evaluate designs of the equally notable 'Star' class 4-6-0s - in 1904!). He goes on to consider the influence of USRA on locomotive design, and culminating in 'Lima Superpower' phase (2-10-4s, 4-6-4s, and 4-8-4s). He rounds off with a look at some also-rans - UP's 'turbomotive', and steam holdout lines that developed the Niagara's and Norfolk & Western's big articulate locos. The wider context in which the designers worked is referenced when explaining developments. Unlike many US writers, he acknowledges the connections with other designers from Canada, Europe and Russia in passing. His achievement - besides demonstrating a mastery of the technical aspects of design, combined with his experience driving these behemoths - is to impose some kind on narrative on complex design developments, over nearly a century, in a huge and varied country. And to write it well, with many relevant illustrations.
So, any faults? Well, it's too short. I'd have liked a chapter on successful if everyday designs such as Santa Fe's rebuilt 3400 Pacifics and such like. And why were Beyer-Garrat articulateds never tried in the US? Simply a patent issue, or 'Not Made Here', or ...? But that really is nitpicking. It's a great book, buy it! Walt Chrysler said "there is in manufacturing a creative joy that only poets are supposed to know. Some day I’d like to show a poet how it feels to design and build a railroad locomotive." Poets could do worse than read Withuhn.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a VERY detailed look at steam locomotive development during the "Golden Age" of steam locomotives. It is pretty technical but was still interesting to a non-expert like myself.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

The detailed research presented in this book is incredible given the breadth of the subject. Mr. Withuhn obviously had a love and appreciation for steam locomotives, as well as the technical know-how to understand all aspects of their design.