Wonders of the Sciences: The Steam Train in Motion

Photo by Bijsmans Fotografie

While a streamlined steam engine is something of a fantasy, the steam engine is not. Without it, the steam train wouldn’t have been invented along with the trains themselves.

The steam engine is a pretty significant invention. Its emergence alone shifted the course of human history, revolutionizing the way we approached transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture. It is safe to say that without the steam engine, the Industrial Revolution—the most recent period in human history we can reliably trace back to our current luxuries—would not have happened.

Invented by James Watt in the 1760s, the steam engine was an improvement on the earlier Newcomen engine, which had been used to pump water out of coal mines. It was more efficient and versatile and could be used in several applications other than helping dredge out water from mines.

Wonders of the Sciences

Perhaps one of the ways that the steam engine most revolutionized the world was through transportation. In 1802, nearly half a century after Watt’s invention, the first steam-powered locomotive was built by Richard Trevithick. This early example of the steam train was primarily used to deliver iron and coal from the rest of the United Kingdom to England. It was a new way of engaging with travel that touched the romance of a thousand hearts.

This quick and efficient way of transferring cargo and goods initiated a scramble for constructing railways that crossed whole countries, thus establishing a massive interconnected system of rail that still exists today. Another way the steam engine helped with transportation was through the development of steam-powered ships that allowed for faster and more efficient travel across oceans and rivers.

Despite the impact that the steam engine had, the march of progress eventually replaced it with other technologies. 

While the dream of a streamlined steam engine might never be realized, there are still things we can cherish from that time. I, for one, am very fascinated with the steam train.

The Steam Train in Motion 

For the longest time, since forever, I have always loved trains. So, when I had the opportunity to ride the Corris Railway No. 7 0-4-2ST that runs in Wales, I was stoked. I jumped at the chance and didn’t even look back. 

Although it was only a replica of the original steam train, it still felt like I’d been pulled back across time. Even though the Industrial Revolution has long ended, walking through the train carriages evoked a deep sense of nostalgia and adventure in me. There was a longing in my heart for the romance of the bygone age of steam. 

The platform was full of train enthusiasts like me. Some even had the courage to dress up in vintage attire, ones appropriate for the time. The rest were simply excited to try out the experience of riding on the steam train. The locomotive itself was a beautiful piece of engineering. I often think that if humans just focused on making wonderful machinery, there would be no wars. But that’s just my two cents.

The engine and the carriages were gleaming with brass and copper fittings. The hiss of the steam and the whistleblowing to signal its arrival made me feel like I was part of the crowd in a period movie set in the 1900s.

As I entered the carriages, I was struck by the attention to detail: the wooden paneling to the plush seats. It was certainly evident that no expense had been spared in attempting to recreate the luxury of the past. The expansiveness of the windows would allow panoramic views of the Welsh countryside when we passed them by.

Once we were underway, a sense of excitement and anticipation—something I’ve never felt again in so long—rushed through me. I’d become a kid again, giddy with glee. The rhythmic chugging of the engine, the occasional whistle blast, and the carriage swaying all added to the atmosphere. When I’m on a train, it’s always more about the journey than the destination.

As we made our way through the countryside, I was struck by how different everything looked from the train. The fields and hills seemed alive and vibrant, hiding magic and wonder in their greenery. The sound of the steam train framed everything in a rustic and peculiar manner that was reminiscent of old-timey videos. There was also a connection I couldn’t shake off between me and the rail. It was as if my feet were the ones trudging over the tracks.

Something I regret, though, was the absence of a tunnel. We didn’t pass through one. It would’ve been the most memorable part of the ride. Sadly, it wasn’t so.

As we approached our destination, I felt sad the journey was coming to a close. I’d been transported back in time, and I was hesitating ever coming back. The steam train had given me a new perspective on the world, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to have experienced it.