The magic of old steam locomotives

A steam locomotive is a self-propelled vehicle that uses the expansion of steam to move itself. It is fuelled by burning combustible material, usually coal, oil, or wood, to heat water in the locomotive’s boiler until it becomes gaseous and its volume increases. The steam is then admitted alternately to each end of its cylinders, in which pistons are mechanically connected to the locomotive’s main wheels. Steam locomotives were first developed in the United Kingdom during the early 19th century and used for railway transport until the middle of the 20th century. Nowadays they are rarely used.