AA-2026-F6F3DD
On the image
A man poses confidently next to Steam Locomotive #31, demonstrating the universal human urge to make oneself appear larger and more significant by standing next to something massive. His stance, hands on hips, suggests he might be in charge of this relic of industrial power, despite its operating days likely being long past in the 1970s.
The locomotive, a marvel of an earlier era, still exudes a certain raw power, even if its main purpose now involves weekend excursions rather than hauling the nation's freight. Behind it, a more modern hopper car hints at the quiet, efficient diesel world that superseded such grand, smoky machines, a transition few celebrated with photographs of themselves standing next to a GE Dash 9.
He likely believed this photograph would convey a sense of rugged individualism, a connection to the pioneering spirit of the railways. It mostly conveys that he found a big train and stood next to it, which, in its own way, is a perfectly human thing to do.
The historian's note
The image depicts a man standing alongside a steam locomotive, number 31, during the 1970s. By this decade, mainline steam operations in North America were almost entirely phased out in favour of diesel-electric locomotives.
This locomotive is likely a preserved or heritage engine, operating on a tourist or shortline railway. Such engines were maintained for special events, excursions, or as museum pieces, symbolising a significant aspect of industrial and transportation history.
The presence of a modern covered hopper car immediately behind the steam engine suggests either a mixed train operation on a heritage line or that the steam engine is positioned near active freight operations, highlighting the transition of rail technology.
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Visually related — by likeness
Man Posing with Steam Locomotive #31, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-F6F3DD. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-posing-with-steam-locomotive-31-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026F6F3DD,
title = {Man Posing with Steam Locomotive \#31, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-F6F3DD},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-posing-with-steam-locomotive-31-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Man Posing with Steam Locomotive #31, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-F6F3DD UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-posing-with-steam-locomotive-31-1970s ER -
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