Mathias Baldwin built his first steam locomotive in 1832, with the assistance of a railroad mechanic named Andrew Vauclain. Five decades later, his son Samuel M. Vauclain joined the Baldwin Locomotive Works Company. Vauclain developed the compound locomotive in 1889, an achievement that changed the face of the railroad industry. He also engineered many engine prototypes, and performed developmental work on the balanced compound. A lifetime employee at Baldwin, he served as General Superintendent, Vice-President, President, and finally as Chairman of the Board, until his death in 1940. This...
Mathias Baldwin built his first steam locomotive in 1832, with the assistance of a railroad mechanic named Andrew Vauclain. Five decades later, his so...
Originally written in the late 1900's and then periodically revised, A History of the Baldwin Locomotive Works chronicles the origins and growth of one of America's greatest industrial-era corporations. Founded in the early 1830's by Philadelphia jeweler Matthais Baldwin, the company built a huge number of steam locomotives before ceasing production in 1949. These included the 4-4-0 American type, 2-8-2 Mikado and 2-8-0 Consolidation. Hit hard by the loss of the steam engine market, Baldwin soldiered on for a brief while, producing electric and diesel engines. General Electric's dominance of...
Originally written in the late 1900's and then periodically revised, A History of the Baldwin Locomotive Works chronicles the origins and growth of on...