Why are old trains black?

With the change from wood to coal for fuel it became increasingly expensive to maintain the often unique paint jobs. A man named Lauder, Superintendant of the Old Colony Railroad in Massachusetts, under pressure to reduce operating expenses, got the idea of painting everything on the locomotive black.



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Black locomotives became common beginning in 1880, after coal burning engines made grime commonplace. Black was chosen because black locomotives didn't show all the dirt and grime that covered the locomotive during normal use.

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Re: Color of smoke Black and grey indicates unspent fuel such as coal or oil. Brown is poor grade coal or oil or is wood smoke. White is simply steam condensing in the cooler air.

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The new national system painted almost all its steam locomotives black. This was commonplace in many countries by the 1920s, certainly for goods engines, on grounds of cost. The red wheels and frames were intended to make it easier to spot cracks and other defects.

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Railroad officials said that with smoking banned, cars would be cleaner, cost less to maintain and have more seats available during rush hour. Railroad officials had advocated a ban based on concerns about health and overcrowding.

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Modern trains recycle the waste water to use again for flushing.

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People need to be able to see and hear trains appropriately so they're able to stay safe. In Britain, historically train fronts were required to have a yellow panel in order to make them more visible, a move which came in the 1950s when newer diesel and electric trains were found to be far quieter than steam.

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One of the most beautiful steam locomotives ever built, the S1 was designed by Raymond Loewe. Poor balancing caused wheel-spin and only one was ever built, for the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1939.

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Early steam engines in Germany used a bright red paint on their wheels to make it easier for safety inspectors to detect metal fatigue and cracks. This practice may date back as far as the 1920's, and it was prevalent because rail systems were nationally and not privately owned.

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Trains make fresh air break stops about every 4 hours where passengers can get off and smoke. These stops last about 15 minutes and provide enough time to smoke and stretch your legs.

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Yes, locomotive engines typically have a toilet, also known as a lavatory or restroom, for the use of the crew members who operate the train.

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The rearlights on locomotives, multiple units and railcars. To ensure that the rear of the failed train is always visible, all trains are required to display three red lights at their rear: two tail lamps plus the red portion of the destination roller blind.

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