Yes, it's a steam locomotive, but all is not what it seems
Outside the Cité du Train in Mulhouse, mounted on a plinth beside the car park, it's a survivor from the early days of French railways: a PLM 030 TB steam locomotive. Built for the former Paris-Lyon-Méditerranée (PLM) railway it was intended primarily for freight and shunting work.
The locomotive dates from around 1860, making it a genuine 19th-century machine and a reminder of how compact early steam locomotives were. Its open-sided cab, small driving wheels and exposed mechanical equipment make it look primative compared to the large express locomotives that dominate railway museums.
But here's the "what is": although displayed as PLM 030 TB 2 the locomotive is a confection, reconstructed from components of several early locomotives, rather than a completely original survivor.
No comments:
Post a Comment