ENGINE ART

Back in the late 1800's and early 1900's, most earth moving was done using steam power.  Pictured is one of the type used in railroad construction and maintenance. Normally coal fired, and self propelled ,they ran on short sections of temporary track .The crew consisted of three or four men, the operator, who ran the chain driven hoist to raise and lower the bucket, and the swinging engine, a second man who sometimes ran the engine which powered the dipper stick, the boom on which the bucket was mounted ,and tripped the bucket door ,and the fireman who worked at the back maintaining steam pressure and water level in the boiler. There was often a fourth man to help with positioning the outriggers, water supply, and other chores.