Best Friend of Charleston, Steam locomotive in Charleston, United States
The Best Friend of Charleston featured a vertical cylinder design and operated on the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company track system in 1830.
Built by West Point Foundry in New York, this locomotive completed its first commercial passenger journey on December 25, 1830, carrying 141 passengers.
The locomotive established new standards for American rail transportation and influenced the development of railroad engineering practices across the United States.
Visitors can examine a full-scale replica of the locomotive at the Best Friend of Charleston Museum, located near the Charleston Visitor Center.
A boiler explosion in 1831 led to the implementation of new safety regulations, including mandatory engineer presence at control stations during operation.
GPS coordinates: 33.99861,-81.04806
Latest update: May 27, 2025 06:50
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Best Friend of Charleston (1928 replica)
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