Mechanisms of Locomotive Machines (translated)

LOCOMOTIVES. Damage and Mechanism of Locomotive Machines (translated) by Bertrand Charles. Aillevillers, 1908. Colored map of the French railway network mounted inside front cover, also captioned photographs of 2 French steam locomotives: # 3109 from 1907 and # 3728 from 1908, both with 4 cylandars. Square 4to, 67pp holograph manuscript (in French); original cloth-backed marbled boards, edges rubbed.

In 1907, the French railway companies were busy modernizing their fleets for faster and heavier trains. Around 1908, French steam traction underwent an important development, particularly with the rise of powerful express locomotives for the major railway companies. French steam traction has a rich history spanning from the early nineteenth century to well into the twentieth century, with a "Golden Age" between 1900 and 1950. This period is known as the glory days of French steam locomotives, in which powerful machines dominated the main lines.