Hi All,

I am trying to figure out the oldest locomotive without a historical designation in the US. I know of an 1857 machine but is there one any older?

Thanks
Robby Peartree

Could you explain to me a little more what would fall under "a historical designation"? For example, simpler things like "This is the oldest locomotive in ____ State," or more of a formal designation like being on the National Register of Historic Places?

Though this locomotive may not be *the* oldest, it is certainly among the oldest:
http://taplines.net/locos/bache/bache.html
https://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocom ... isplay=348

(I also see it as one of the only remaining representatives of its kind—the more archaic, unrefined 4-4-0's that were the backbone of U.S. railroads through the 1840's–1850's. (And, still being in its original state, unlike examples such as the W&A General...). There seem to be many surviving representatives—or replicas—of more "modern" 4-4-0's of the 1860's/70's, but very few like this, from an earlier period when U.S. locomotive design was really starting to establish itself.)

The use of the term historical designation is to use the legal status as defined by the National Park Service. Therefore this designation could national, state, or local designation. The list of this is the locomotive of the state of promotion offer no legal protection as far as preservation is concerned. To that end please remember you do not need to be historically designated to receive Save our American Treasures Funding.

Robby Peartree