Rock Springs in Sweetwater County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

"Charlie Smith"

First Electric Mine Locomotive Manufactured in U.S.A.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

1. "Charlie Smith" Marker

Inscription. Weight 9 tons — Capacity 60 H.P.
500 Volts direct current
Purchased May 16, 1892

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is May 16, 1892.

Location. 41° 35.2′ N, 109° 13.231′ W. Marker is in Rock Springs, Wyoming, in Sweetwater County. Marker is on South Main Street east of C Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker and locomotive are located in Railroad Park, on the east side of the Rock Springs Railroad Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 South Main Street, Rock Springs WY 82901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Tragedy Remembered (here, next to this marker); Rock Springs Coal (a few steps from this marker); Beneath This Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Springs Coal Welcome Sign (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Spring Stage Station Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); Oil Derrick (approx. 1.7 miles away); Tipples and the Reliance Coal Mines (approx. 5.8 miles away); The Reliance Tipple (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Springs.

Also see . . .
1. The "Charlie Smith". The squat little

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engine hummed up and down the slope of the mine, tugging trains of loaded cars up and coasting down with empties, except when it took the “man trip,” cars carrying miners. It was quickly dubbed “Charlie Smith,” for its first driver, and when it was ceremoniously “retired” in 1929. (Submitted on September 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Overhead-electric Locomotives (Wikipedia). The electric motor technology used pre-1900 was DC with a few hundred volts and a direct supply of power to the motor from the overhead wire enabled the use of efficient, small and sturdy tractors of simple construction. By 1903, there were over 600 electric mine locomotives in use in America with new ones being produced at a rate of 100 per year. (Submitted on September 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

"Charlie Smith" Locomotive image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

2. "Charlie Smith" Locomotive

(marker visible on front "bumper")

Manufacturer Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

3. Manufacturer Plaque

Manufactured by
Thomson-Houston Electric Co.
Lynn, Mass, U.S.A.
Patented Oct. 5, 1880 • Jul. 13, 1888 • Oct.9, 1888
Patents applied for
Class GLM 10-6 • No. 1845
Volts 500 • Speed 8 miles
Adjusted for — Per Cent Loss.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

4. "Charlie Smith" Locomotive

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

5. "Charlie Smith" Locomotive

"Charlie Smith" Locomotive (<i>back</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

6. "Charlie Smith" Locomotive (back)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.