The John Bull: A British Locomotive Comes to America

The remarkably detailed, stunning black and white drawings by author/illustrator David Weitzman are worth a great deal more than the price of this book. Front endpapers and back endpapers offer a comprehensive picture of this early locomotive with accompanying numbers identifying each feature. There's the wood filled fire box, the crank, and even the driving axle. All with an interest in trains will consider this slim volume a treasure. As some know, John Bull was built in England and transported by steamship to America in 1831. Such a powerhouse had never been seen before, and it was used not only to help build but to run the first New Jersey railroad. This met with such success that America soon manufactured many more similar locomotives. After a lengthy tour of service the locomotive was retired to the Smithsonian Institution where it was admired by thousands. Even more amazing is that some 150 years after it first arrived on our shores the John Bull was still able to run as smoothly as ever. "The John Bull" is fitting tribute to a vital portion of our transportation industry. - Gail Cooke