Sometimes called the Iron Horse, the steam locomotive revolutionized transportation in the United States. A cross-country journey that once took months by horse-drawn vehicle was achievable in less than than a week with the help of the steam locomotive and construction of the transcontinental railroad system. Locomotives grew in size and power over time but eventually fell out of favor by the 1950s as diesel locomotive technology improved and offered greater flexibility and reduced costs versus steam. Even though diesel locomotives have pulled the vast majority of trains in the United States now for over 60 years, the steam locomotive remains the iconic symbol of railroading.

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