Richard Brown, Canadian Artist

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Richard Brown

Heavy freight has always been the basic work of railroads, generating the majority of train miles. Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, railroads were the veins and arteries of the North American economy.

And steam locomotives in particular were the backbone of rail operations for 120 years (1830-1950), the period in which our industrial economy reached full maturity. Skill of the steam-era crew member – engineer, fireman, conductor, or brakeman –was key to this growth.

Glamour may have gone to the crew on the fast express. But it was the crew on the heavy freight that earned the railroad’s keep.

This image is my acknowledgement of what happens behind the scenes. If freight is what pays the bills, then the engineer’s office is where the work was done.

The boiler idles at 150 psi; the throttle is the diagonal lever; two brake handles are at the lower right; and the water glass and gauge cocks are at upper left.

Richard Brown
P.O Box 547
Midland, Ontario
Canada, L4R 4L3
E-mail: brown.baywoods@sympatico.ca Website: www.brownblackandwhite.com

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