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Steam locomotives were invented in the mid-1800's and ruled
the rails for a century. Early locomotives were quite small, but evolution
over the decades created behemoth articulated locomotives of the
1940's. By 1950, diesel locomotives of standard designs offered railroads
substantial operating cost savings, and by 1959 the steam locomotive
era was over.
Today, about 1200 steam locomotives are preserved
in municipal parks, museums, and private collections. About
150 of those are considered "operational", but many of
these are in need of or undergoing major repairs which
can easily cost a half million dollars or more.
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