The steam engine was invented in the late 1700s as part of the foundation of the Industrial Revolution. The first steam locomotive was developed in the early 1800s. The first use was to carry goods on tramways in the place of horses. Over the past 200 years, the principle of how a steam engine works has remained the same.

Lindy is a 2-8-0 consolidation type steam engine from the Baldwin Locomotive Works. The consolidation type, particularly useful for heavy freight service, has four pairs of driving wheels and a two-wheeled front truck. The driving wheels carry a large percentage of the weight of the locomotive for greater traction. Distributing the weight over four pairs of wheels reduces the load on each pair. The front and rear wheel pairs are flanged and the intermediate pairs are plain or flanged, based on their service requirements. The front truck has a swinging bolster and radius bar. Typically a long fire-box is placed over the rear pair of driving wheels.

A steam engine requires a combustible fuel and a supply of water. On most steam locomotives the fuel and water are carried in a separate car, the tender, behind the locomotive. Usually the tender is semi-permanently coupled to the engine. Lindy’s tender, which originally carried coal as the fuel, has been converted to carry oil. Using oil reduces the sut and cinders that is caused by coal.

The cylinder valve opens to release steam exhaust. The steam escapes under a great deal of pressure and makes the familiar “choo” sound associated with steam engines. As the piston gains speed, the “choo” sound repeats faster and faster, creating the often quoted, “I think I can, I think I can” sounds.