| Considered an eccentric by his contemporaries, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad builder Ross Winans created the first "Camel" locomotive in 1848 with an 0-8-0 wheel arrangement. To allow room for a larger firebox, Winans placed the engineer's cab above the boiler creating a locomotive that resembled a hump-back camel. The peculiar design placed more weight on the drivers therefore producing more traction. In the 1850s, Master of Machinery, Samuel J. Hayes, combined the "Camel" design with a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement. Later designers, Henry Tyson, Thatcher Perkins,and John C. Davis continued to build 4-6-0 "Camels" during and after the Civil War. "Camels" were often redesigned for better productivity, but never for the comfort of the crew. The engineer was uncomfortably warm above the boiler, and the fireman was often cold on the open tender. In addition, the distance between the crew caused communication difficulties. Nevertheless, "Camels" became a trademark B&O locomotive for both freight and passenger service. |
