Firebox Collection

Cave of Plato, Jan Saenredam, Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem, 1604

Sectional view of a mid-19th century steam railway locomotive showing firebox and boiler tubes. 1882 (chromolithograph)
538599 Sectional view of a mid-19th century steam railway locomotive showing firebox and boiler tubes. 1882 (chromolithograph); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Firebox for first Copper River steamer, between c1900 and 1927. Creator: Hunt, Phinney S
Firebox for first Copper River steamer, between c1900 and 1927

A train driver attacked by a wild goose in Belgium (colour litho)
2779892 A train driver attacked by a wild goose in Belgium (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A train driver attacked by a wild goose in Belgium)

The first ten engines constructed for the L&S Railway
Table listing the first ten engines constructed for the L&S Railway, 1832-1839. Detailing: name and number of engine; name of maker; makers number; date when delivered (in steam)

How a railway train is propelled -- two diagrams of a locomotive engine, showing firebox, boiler, smoke box, steam chamber, cylinder and piston, safety valves, steam whistle and feed pipe. Date: 1841

Longitudinal section of a typical British passenger steam locomotive, 1888. The firebox heated the boiler tubes, producing steam to drive the locomotive. From The Popular Encyclopaedia. (London, 1888)

Sectional view of a mid-19th century steam railway locomotive, 1882. The illustration shows the workings of the locomotive, including the firebox and boiler tubes

Digital illustration of coal burning in firebox producing heat which transfers to boiling water, then saturated steam, which in turn powers motor to turn pistons forwards and backwards

Japan - Four-coupled Bogie Express Locomotive
Japan - Japanese Government Railways - Four-coupled Bogie Express Locomotive, outside cylinders ad water-tube firebox Date: 1905

Sectional view of a mid-19th century steam railway locomotive showing firebox and boiler tubes. Chromolithograph 1882

Longitudinal section of a typical British passenger steam locomotive, 1888. The firebox heated the boiler tubes, producing steam to drive the locomotive. From The Popular Encyclopaedia. (London, 1888)

LCC-MFB Shand Mason steamer
Shand Mason steamer ready for the turnout from Manchester Square Fire Station. This is a more powerful two-cylinder model. Water in the boiler was kept warm by a small gas ring

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"The Firebox: A Journey Through Time and Technology" Step into the depths of history with the firebox, a pivotal element in the evolution of steam locomotives. From ancient philosophical caves to modern-day illustrations, this caption takes you on an intriguing ride. In 1604, Jan Saenredam and Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem immortalized Plato's Cave allegory, where shadows danced upon its walls like flickering flames within a firebox. Little did they know that their art would foreshadow the birth of a revolutionary transportation system. Fast forward to Belgium, where an unsuspecting train driver found himself under attack by a wild goose. Amidst chaos and laughter, this colorful lithograph reminds us that even nature can disrupt the fiery power of locomotion. The L&S Railway marked a milestone as it proudly presented its first ten engines. These mechanical marvels harnessed steam's force within their fireboxes, propelling them towards new horizons at unprecedented speeds. Ever wondered how exactly these trains moved? Delve into "How a railway train is propelled, " an informative glimpse into the inner workings of steam-powered locomotion. The secret lies in coal burning within the firebox – producing heat that transfers to boiling water and ultimately powers pistons back and forth. Traveling further back in time brings us face-to-face with mid-19th-century steam railway locomotives through sectional views. Witness intricate details such as boiler tubes intertwining with the mighty firebox - symbols of engineering ingenuity fueling progress across nations. Venturing across England's North Yorkshire landscape reveals Levisham station standing tall amidst picturesque surroundings. Here, passengers once boarded majestic British passenger steam locomotives whose very heart beat fiercely within their fireboxes. As we explore Knights Cyclopaedia's Industry compendium from all nations, we encounter diverse depictions showcasing global advancements in rail technology – each image capturing unique firebox designs that propelled locomotives across continents.