Quote About Steam Locomotives

[bigskylibrarian]

Hello All -

I am a librarian trying to track down the source of a quote about steam locomotives for a patron. The patron says as a child, his father had a poster with the following quote: "Deep in the heart of every American beats the sound of a steam locomotive." Do you have any idea as to the source for this quote, or even where the poster may have come from? Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you -

Laura M. Wight
Director of Library Services
Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology
[email protected]

[kaitoku]

Assuming you have information such as the approximate time your patron had this poster in his home, geographical location, and/or how the poster was acquired. The quote itself may have hints- the beat of a steam locomotive is often compared to that of the human heart- this in and of itself is not unusual, but the reference to "in every American" hints to a patriotic appeal- so the era would be in one where such feelings are especially prevalent- wartime (WWI or WW2). Also, as the quote refers to steam locomotives in general, rather than a specific train/service, so rather than a railroad company poster, I would be inclined to guess a locomotive builder (Lima Locomotive Works, Baldwin Locomotive Works, or American Locomotive Works [ALCO]), or perhaps a supplier of locomotive component parts such as Timken Roller Bearing. Also, as dieselization proceeded after WW2, builders were phasing out their steam manufacturing so the poster likely predates 1949 or so.