Early outsourcing

Builders made most of the parts needed to assemble a steam locomotive. However, tires came from Latrobe, lubricators came from companies like Hancock, Nathan or Detroit, electrical came from Pyle or Sunbeam, firebox doors came from Franklin or Economy and air brake appliances came from Westinghouse or New York Air brake. Oftem railroads dictated the appliances they wanted on their order. Most of these appliance maufactureres were in the Northeast (usually Pennsylvania or New York), though Pyle was in Chicago. Besides supplying manufacturers of locomotives, these appliance companies had a strong business in replacement units and retrofitting of older locomotives for railroad companies, big and small, all over the globe.