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Cooper was also not the first steam engine maker to operate on U.S.
rails. Many of the earliest locomotives for American railroads were This operating replica of the Tom Thumb follows
the general description given by Peter Cooper, but
imported from Great Britain, including the Stourbridge Lion, the first was built for performance in the 1927 Fair of the
steam rail engine to operate in the United States, and later the John Iron Horse rather than historical accuracy.
Bull, built by Robert Stephenson and Company.
Cooper is, however, credited with the first American-built steam
locomotive to operate on a common-carrier railroad, launching a
domestic locomotive manufacturing industry that gave rise to a
generation of unprecedented wealth being built in this country.
The Tom Thumb was made to demonstrate the idea’s potential but
was never intended for or placed into regular service.
Cooper left the building of next-generation steam locomotives,
made here and abroad, to others. His mission was to move progress
along at a faster speed. From there he moved on to other endeavors,
both financial and philanthropic.
The Tom Thumb hauled passengers until at least March 1831 and
then was salvaged for parts in 1834. Peter Cooper was not recognized
for his accomplishment until 1875 when he described and sketched a
drawing of the locomotive.

Modeling Tom Thumb
While the Tom Thumb enjoyed its 15-minutes of public fame, it
remains a uniquely American and highly respected achievement among
railroad history buffs, train aficionados, and collectors. It has been
replicated in many ways and continues to be modeled as a tribute to
Peter Cooper’s vision and American industry and ingenuity.
The first replica of the Tom Thumb
was built in 1893 by “Major” Joseph
G. Pangborn, a western newspaper
publicist and showman who was hired
by the B&O railroad as a special
representative of the to create an
advertising program. He stayed on and
built one of the finest railroad exhibits
ever assembled for the Chicago World’s
Fair of 1893. The exhibit included a
full-size replica of the Tom Thumb.
Liberties were taken since original
documentation no longer existed, and
this depiction went on to become the
generally accepted and iconic represen-
tation of this historic locomotive.
Always cognizant of its historical A vintage 1937 original photograph depicting Baltimore &
prominence, the B&O built another Ohio Railroad introducing its newest with its oldest.
replica of the Tom Thumb for the B&O The famous Tom Thumb is posed with a shiny EA
Railroad’s 1927 Fair of the Iron Horse. built by Electro-Motive Corporation of La Grange, Illinois.
This operating replica follows the
general description given to them by
Peter Cooper but was built for Peter Cooper’s legacy
performance for the fair, rather than
historical accuracy. This example is While Cooper felt the objective of a business was
currently preserved and operational at A ca. 1865 caricature of Peter Cooper (1791-1883), to make money, he believed that “the object of life is to
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad inventor, industrialist, and philanthropist. Cooper led do good.” He felt it was everyone’s duty to help the
Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, a successful fight to build a public school system in New nation progress towards a better social condition. His
brought out for special anniversaries York. His most lasting monument is Cooper Union in inventions and business engagements had made him a
and commemorations. New York City, his attempt to offer education to the wealthy man, one who could afford to follow his
Tom Thumb models on a smaller working classes. This caricature plays on Cooper’s interests throughout his long life. He was a self-made
scale have also found themselves a home name, and was created by Thomas Nast (1840-1902), man of his time but forever regretted his lack of formal
in museum collections. The National the “Father of the American Cartoon.” education. In 1859, in perhaps what he would consider
Museum of American History owns a one of his greatest contributions, Cooper founded The
1933 model made by Bathe & Williams Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Greville Bathe was a machinist and Art to give the less fortunate an opportunity to educate
steam engine hobbyist who would fashion his own parts to complete themselves and become successful. When the School opened it offered
toy steam engines and models. Also in its collection is a 1960-inspired free courses in science, engineering, and art, provided a public reading
model (maker unknown). room stocked with the latest newspapers and periodicals, and operated
Tom Thumb models also come up for auction from time to time. In the largest secular meeting room in New York, able to seat 900. Cooper
2014, a 12 x 16 ⁄2 x 8 ⁄2 inch live steam scale model of the Tom Thumb also took the revolutionary step of opening the school to women as well
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locomotive was sold through Heritage Auctions for $2,000. On eBay, as men and students of color. There was no color bar at Cooper Union.
Tom Thumb memorabilia and ephemera can be had for mostly under In return for this opp ortunity, Cooper only asked for a willingness to
$50. This includes trading cards, postcards, original art train etchings, learn and a commitment to excellence.
and souvenir items of a wide variety with the Tom Thumb image. Title images: https://www.american-rails.com and https://americanhistory.si.edu

30 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles