Re: Reading Baldwin Drawings

RedCarGo Wrote:
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> An observation I have after working on
> this modeling for a while is how every locomotive
> of the same “type” seems to be unique in
> almost every sense (with the exception of a series
> built for a single customer). By unique I mean not
> just details but the large hardware like wheel
> size/location, cylinder size, boiler, and even the
> frame. My observation so far is only based on the
> Baldwin Prairie locomotives but this must have
> been a very expensive way to build steam
> locomotives.
>
> Phil


Depends on the era. Very early locomotives were built one-by-one and each one was its own entity. Later, by the 1870's, designs were fairly standardized. Custom models were produced when desired but a great many locomotives were built to standard specification and patterns that could be ordered via catalogue. Eventually as the industry matured, more and more railroads went back to wanting custom everything.