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"Tom Thumb" Locomotive Model

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Description (Brief)
This model of the Tom Thumb Locomotive was made by Bathe & Williams of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1933. Greville Bathe was a machinist and steam engine hobbyist who would fashion his own parts to complete toy steam engines and models like this one. This model is a representation of the Tom Thumb Locomotive, and early American locomotive built by Peter Cooper in 1830 to prove that a steam-powered locomotive could navigate the hills and twists of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The model consists of an upright boiler, vertical engine, and geared drive.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Bequest of the Estate of Greville I. Bathe
1933
ID Number
MC.329095
catalog number
329095
accession number
278175
Object Name
locomotive, Tom Thumb
locomotive, tom thumb, model
model, locomotive
model, steam locomotive
Physical Description
wood, iron (overall material)
Measurements
overall-from catalog card: 10 in x 19 1/2 in x 9 in; 25.4 cm x 49.53 cm x 22.86 cm
overall: 19 1/4 in x 19 3/4 in x 9 1/4 in; 48.895 cm x 50.165 cm x 23.495 cm
Associated Place
United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Related Publication
Maass, Eleanor A.. Greville Bathe's "Theatre of Machines": The Evolution of a Scholar and His Collection
See more items in
Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Family & Social Life
Engineering, Building, and Architecture
Engineering Steam Toys and Models
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_847255
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-8eb6-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • Trains at Smithsonian Station

Model, steam locomotive
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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