The Baldwin Locomotive Works, of Phila delphia, has the distinction of being not only one of the pioneers in the business of locomo tive manufacture but is still one of the repre sentative establishments in the industry. Es tablished in 1831, by Matthias W. Baldwin, its product has steadily increased until it is now in excess of 200 locomotives a month. The works occupy an area of about 20 acres in the central part of the city, and when running at full capacity give employment to about 19,000 men. An extensive plant has also been erected on a tract of 225 acres of Eddystone, Pa., about 12 miles from Philadelphia; and a tract has been purchased at East Chicago, hid.; where shops will be erected when business conditions warrant such expansion.
Another important plant was that of the Rogers Locomotive Works at Paterson, N. J. Founded in 1836, by the firm of Rogers, Ket chum and Grosvenor, the mechanical genius of the concern was Thomas Rogers. When he died, in 1856, the firm was incorporated under the title of the Rogers Locomotive and Ma chine Works, with Jacob S. Rogers as presi dent, and business was transacted under this name until 1892, when the corporation was again reorganized and assumed the name of The Rogers Locomotive Works. The Rogers Company then had an annual capacity of more than 300 locomotives, and gave employment to about 2,000 persons.
Up to the time of the war with Spain the spirit of consolidation which had already shown its effect in other industries had been an un known factor in the business of locomotive making. Soon after 1898, however, several of the competing works began to talk of the organization of a larger corporation, or com bination, and the movement finally became so popular that, in July 1901, eight of the large manufactories were consolidated under the name of the American Locomotive Company, with a capital of $50,000,000, half of which is in common stock, and half in 7 per cent cumu lative preferred. The works acquired by the organization were as follows: In March 1904, the American Locomotive Company also acquired the stock of the Loco motive and Machine Company of Montreal, Limited, with works in Montreal, Canada, en gaged in the building of locomotive and struc tural steel works. With the addition of the Rogers and the Montreal works the American Locomotive Company operated 10 plants with a total annual capacity of 3,100 locomotives.
operation late in 1865. Originally intended as a small shop, its capacity being at first limited to 30 locomotives per annum, they were so suc cessful in placing orders for their product that the establishment now occupies an area of fully 12 acres. In their work of extending their ca
pacity the best of fire-proof buildings have been erected, and the works are equipped with the latest and most improved electric, hydraulic and pneumatic appliances known to the art of loco motive construction.
The Rhode Island Locomotive Works, at Providence, R. I., commenced operations in 1865, and continued to occupy one of the most prominent positions in the rank of locomotive manufacturers up to the time of their absorp tion by the combination.
The Brooks Locomotive Works, at Dunkirk, N. Y., was originally intended to serve exclu sively as the locomotive building and repair shops of the Erie Railroad. In 1869, however, the railway company decided to abandon these shops. Newer works had already been con structed in a more convenient location for the railway company's purposes and Jay Gould, who was then president of the road, saw no reason why the Dunkirk plant should not be closed. At that time, however, Horatio G. Brooks was the superintendent of motive power and machin ery construction for the Erie road. As his home was at Dunkirk, and as all his interests Of the 10 plants the Schenectady Locomo tive Works was established by the Norris Brothers in 1848. In 1863 it passed into the hands of John Ellis, who was eventually suc ceeded by his sons. John C., Charles G., Edward, William D. Ellis and Walter McQueen.
The Cooke Locomotive and Machine Com pany of Paterson, N. J., was established about 1800. but for nearly half a century they were employed almost exclusively in the manufacture of machinery. In 1852, however, they began to make locomotives, and as this branch of their business increased, the old shops were aban doned and new and up-to-date works were constructed.
The Pittsburgh Locomotive Works began centred about that place, he realized that the removal of these works would prove a severe blow to the prosperity of the town. As the re sult, he offered to lease the shop and its ma chinery for the purpose of undertaking the es tablishment of an independent concern, and as Mr. Gould was nothing loath to make such a mutually advantageous agreement, the lease was signed in November. Before the close of the year 1869, two locomotives had been turned out, and from that time the works were extended until, in 1883, the entire plant. which then covered an area of more than 20 acres, was purchased from the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad Company by the Brooks Locomotive Works. .