ROBERT WILLISON
We do a poor job of preserving any kind of industrial equipment. How many steam shovels or cranes survive today? We did a bit better with steam locos as to the number of preserved first generation diesels. Not many Baldwin sharks around, PA's all but gone. Early trollies didn't fare well, PCC cars oddly survive and still operates. Only a tiny tiny faction of steam ships passengers or freighters still exist. I suppose business consideration Trump's the desire or need for preservation. Either way it's sad.
The preservation of the things you mentioned certainly could have been better, but you have to remember the problem with BIG antiques is one way or another they still have to earn their keep, and if they can't, oblivion.
Very true but I I think the Brits do a bit better than we have. As a culture with a history much older than our own, may be a greater appreciation of history to the degree they are building new steamers based on the oldie Goldie's.
We have a throwaway culture, out with the old in with the new. Unfortunately their were no new steamers to replace the last generation. With diesels, early units became trade in foder, making it more attractive to buy a replacement.
Same thing is happening with the second generation diesels. You have to credit general electric which has found a way to preserve its histortu by donating several units to the museum in Northeast PA.