Replica of 1831 "DeWitt Clinton" Steam Locomotive alongside New York Central Diesel Aerotrain in Greenfield Village, July 1956

THF133486 / Replica of 1831 "DeWitt Clinton" Steam Locomotive alongside New York Central Diesel Aerotrain in Greenfield Village, July 1956

Artifact Overview

The streamlined Aerotrain contrasts dramatically with a replica of the 1831 DeWitt Clinton and coaches in this 1956 photo. Railroads hoped that the futuristic Aerotrain, designed by General Motors, might lure travelers out of their cars and back onto trains. But its lightweight coaches gave a rough ride and Aerotrain failed to catch on with passengers.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic transparency

Date Made

09 July 1956

Subject Date

09 July 1956

Creators

Henry Ford (Organization). Photographic Department

Collection Title

Edison Institute Photographs

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

EI.1929.3307

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Technique

Chromogenic processes

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 4 in
Width: 5 in

Keywords	United States, Michigan, Dearborn Photographic transparencies Photographs Diesel locomotives Open-air museums Railroad trains Railroads (Infrastructure) Replicas Steam locomotives New York Central Railroad Company Henry Ford (Organization). Greenfield Village Smiths Creek Depot

Related Artifacts

Artifact
Replica of 1831 "DeWitt Clinton" Steam Locomotive
The New York Central Railroad built this replica of the DeWitt Clinton for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The original locomotive was built in 1831 and operated on the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad, an NYC predecessor. The replica traveled to fairs, expositions, and promotional events across the NYC system into the 1950s.