 |
| ID # 1,000 |
This oddiooking engine, the Fontaine, was an experimental type, designed and patented by Eugene Fontaine of Detroit, Michigan. She was built in 1880 by the Grant Locomotive Works, Paterson, New Jersey. Her unique gearing was fashioned to increase speed without burning additional fuel. The main driving wheels were placed so high that they transmitted their motion to lower driving wheels which rested on the rails. Although this peculiar engine actually worked when tried out on the Canada Southern and other railroads, she became a center of controversy and was never officially accepted. In a way, she symbolizes a century and a quarter of efforts, some freakish, others sound and successful, that were made to improve the steam locomotive.
KEAN ARCHIVES
No comments:
Post a Comment