76 BULLETIN 119, U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



sengers a distance of 13 miles in 72 minutes, and made the return trip 

 in 57 minutes. 



The engine was about the size of a modern hand car with one up- 

 right cylinder f inch by 13^ inches and an upright boiler, the tubes 

 of which were made from gun barrels. The boiler was about as large 

 as a kitchen boiler; stood upright in the car, and was filled above 

 the furnace, which occupied the lower section, with vertical tubes. 

 Draft for the fire was maintained by a revolving fan driven bj* a 

 drum attached to one of the car wheels over which passed a cord that 

 in its turn worked a pulley on the shaft of the revolving fan. The 

 rotating action of the engine was transmitted to the wheels through a 

 system of gears. Cat. No. 180,034 U.S.N.M. 



Model of the "Best Friend" Locomotive, 1830. Made in the Museum. 



This was the first locomotive built in the United States for actual 

 service on a railroad. It was built at the West Point Foundry in 

 New York City for the South Carolina Eailroad and made its trial 

 trip on January 15, 1831. 



On March 1, 1830, a contract had been entered into with Mr. E. L. 

 Miller, of Charleston, to construct a locomotive for the South Caro- 

 lina Railroad that was to run 10 miles an hour and carrj?^ three times 

 its own weight. Mr. Miller's locomotive was built at the West Point 

 Foundry shops, at that time located at the foot of Beach Street, New- 

 York City. The " Best Friend " gave such good service that the 

 managers of the road directed that a second locomotive be ordered 

 from the same company with changes and modifications. 



The Charleston Courier of January 17, 1831, described the initial 

 trip as follows : 



On Saturday last the first anniversary of the commencement of the railroad 

 was celebrated. Notice having been previously given, inviting the stockholders, 

 about one hundred and fifty assembled in the course of the morning at the 

 company's building in Line Street, together with a number of invited guests. 

 The weather the day and night previous had been stormy, and the morning was 

 cold and cloudy. Anticipating a postponement of the ceremonies, the locomotive 

 engine " Best Friend of Charleston " had been taken to pieces for cleaning, but 

 upon the assembling ef the company she was put in order, the cylinders new 

 packed, and at the word the apparatus ready for movement. The first trip was 

 performed with two pleasure cars attached, and a small carriage, fitted for the 

 occasion, upon which was a detachment of United States troops and a fieldpiece 

 which had been politely granted by Maj. Belton for the occasion. 



Upon the return of the engine it was found necessary to tighten the packing, 

 which occasioned some little delay. At about 1 o'clock she again started with 

 thi'ee cars attached, upon which were upward of 100 passengers. At 2 o'clock a 

 Federal salute was fired by the detachment of troops stationed upon the remains 

 of the fortification erected during the Revolution near the Quarter House. At 

 4 o'clock the company commenced returning and were all safely landed at Line 



