ON THE COVER
In December, 1830, "The Best Friend of Charleston," first steam locomotive built in America for regular service on a railway, highballed at speeds up to 21 miles an hour along the six completed miles of the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road Company, now a part of Southern Railway System. This event, on Christmas Day 125 years ago, marked the real beginning of the steam railroad business in this country.
On its completion in 1833, .the 136 mile - long SCC&RR Company was the longest railway in the world.
(TIES' thanks to Esso Standard Oil Company for the use of this painting, which originally appeared on one of their calendars featuring historic scenes.)