Earliest live steamer?

[Glenn Brooks]

Some years ago I read an article with a photo about the first 7x gauge live steamer built in the US. It was built around 1860 by a 16 year old Machinist, as I recall. Also,vaguely recall the loco might still be on display in a local county museum somewhere in the mid west.

Anybody remember this article and photo, and where it might be located today? Or the source of the article?

Thanks,
Glenn

[gwrdriver]

There's a live steam model, an American IIRC, at the Cowan Railroad Museum in Cowan TN which by my reckoning was built between 1890 an 1910. That doesn't put it in the 1860s era of course, but early enough to be on the list.

[Gra2472]

I found this article, perhaps it will help in your quest.
https://www.sevenandaquarter.org/about- ... +Gauge/15/

[Dick_Morris]

George W. Topping's model of Central Pacific #155 is said to have been built in 1885. It appears to be 1/8 scale.

https://www.deviantart.com/rlkitterman/ ... -630617031