Something a little different from the usual collection of old computers and electronic gadgets. Here’s the Baldwin 5917 steam locomotive!

This enormous machine was built by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton in the United States in 1952 for the New South Wales Government Railways. It entered service in March 1953 as one of twenty D59-class locomotives.

Originally designed to burn oil, 5917 was converted to coal firing in 1963. It spent its working life hauling freight before being withdrawn from regular service in 1972 and eventually preserved by railway enthusiasts.

Quite a remarkable piece of machinery, really. No microprocessors, no circuit boards and certainly no USB ports. Just a great big steam engine!

Sources