Details
Title The "West Point," the second locomotive built in the United States for actual service [graphic].
Publisher [Philadelphia: s.n]
Publisher PA. Philadelphia. c1877
Date [c1877]
Physical Description 1 print: engraving; image 23 x 56 cm. (9 x 22 in)
Description Ilustration shows the "West Point" during its first excursion trip or "trial of speed." The train was conducted by Stephen Lee Alison, who is shown with a African American assistant. Behind them, an African American man rides on the "barrier car," which consists of six bales of cotton strapped down by hoop-irons. (Such cars helped protect passengers from steam and hot water.) The next car is occupied by a "well-known colored band of Charleston" (p. 28), while the final car carries white passengers.
Is part of Brown, William, H. (William Henry), 1808-1883. History of the first locomotives in America. Philadelphia: Barclay & Co, Publishers, No. 21 North Seventh Street, c1877.
Notes Fold-out illustration in William H. Brown's The History of the First Locomotives in America: Together with other Valuable and Interesting Information from Original Documents, and the Testimony of Living Witnesses (Philadelphia: Barclay & Co., Publishers, No. 21 North Seventh Street, c1877), p. 28.
Caption below the illustration reads: "The 'West Point' was built at the West Point Foundry Works, in New York City, for the South Carolina Railroad, forwarded to Charleston by ship Lafayette, and after several experimental trials, in February, 1831, made the first excursion trip, as above, on Saturday afternoon, March 5, 1831. (See extract from Charleston Courier.)
Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Work Scenes.
Subject West Point Foundry Association
Steam locomotives -- United States.
African American musicians
African American railroad employees
Genre Engravings -- 1870-1880.
Book illustrations -- 1870-1880.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Books & Other Texts | Rare | Am 1877 Bro S20245.O p 28
Accession number S20245.O