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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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